Flesh, Fakers, and Fountains, Oh My: Scandals in Art (Pt. 2)
Think art history is mundane? Think again. These scandals rocked the art world and created widespread controversy that still causes contention today. The second of a three-part series of three major art scandals. Check out Part 1 here, and come back here next Thursday to read part 3! Battle Two: Han van Meegeren v. Discerning eyes of critics everywhere The Battleground: Christ with the […]
Flesh, Fakers, and Fountains, Oh My: Scandals in Art (Pt. 1)
Think art history is mundane? Think again. These scandals rocked the art world and created widespread controversy that still causes contention today. The first of a weekly series of three major art scandals. Be back here on Thursday to read part 2! Battle One: Michelangelo v. Anti-nude prudes The Battleground: The Final Judgment, Michelangelo The competitors: Michelangelo: One […]
Degas: the Original Awkward Family Portrait
Have you heard of Awkward Family Photos? What began as a small online blog collecting – you guessed it – awkward family photos went viral almost immediately, and the proud owners of the site have now branched out into coffee table books and even a board game. Here’s two examples: […]
Procrastination is OK, if you do it with art
This particular blogger had a very long day full of work, and he really just wants to go to sleep, but first, he’d like to share some hilarious, entertaining and educational art links with you so you can partake in that grand pastime of all humanity, putting off work and getting nothing done on the […]
Think the World Cup Doesn’t Relate to Art? Think Again!
Today, we’re taking a break from our regular Artist Spotlight series to give you some World Cup art news. Did we just say “World Cup art news”? You bet! I’ll bet you’re wondering, why is the Art Docent Program blogging about the World Cup? If you’re reading this and haven’t watched the World Cup yet, you’re probably un-American. […]
Picasso’s Mystery “Blue” Man
Have you heard about this exciting new discovery in the art world? Beneath one of Picasso’s famous early Blue Period paintings, The Blue Room, art conservators have found a hidden painting through the power of X-rays. The finished painting, held in The Phillips Collection in Washington, DC, since 1927, was completed in 1901 and depicts a woman […]
A tribute to dads: Happy Father’s Day, from James Whistler
In honor of Father’s Day, we’re highlighting an excellent story by Jeff MacGregor, from Smithsonian Magazine’s June 2014 issue, “Getting to Know Whistler’s Father,” about the father of James McNeill Whistler, best known for painting his mother in an iconic piece of American art. Born in 1800, George Washington Whistler was a West Point graduate. […]
Project Street Art: Kiss Your Productivity Goodbye
Have you heard of the Google Cultural Institute? Neither had this particular blogger until recently, but trust me – it’s addicting. If you haven’t clicked on that link yet, I must warn you. It’s VERY addictive. As Complex.com puts it, it is “one of the coolest art initiatives online that you probably aren’t taking advantage of.” But […]
Science + Art = Whoa, with Andy Warhol
For those who don’t see much overlap between science and art, just read this. It will surprise you. Andy Warhol, best known for pop art paintings of Campbell’s Soup and Marilyn Monroe, started working with a new personal computer, the Amiga, to create art only a couple years before his death in 1987. Now, this may […]
Art on Film: Fragonard gets “Frozen”
If you haven’t seen Frozen, get yourself to a theater or a Redbox right now because you are missing out on a pop culture phenomenon. Not only is it the top-grossing Disney film of all time, it features a neat bit of art history in it! During Anna’s song, “For the First Time in Forever,” […]