Essay
When American painter James Abbott McNeill Whistler’s (1834-1903) portrait of his mother, Anna Matilda McNeill Whistler, was exhibited at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in 1881, few could…
Museum-goers, this author included, are often guilty of walking past still life paintings of food, dismissing them as dull and anodyne. Yet, taking in the context of when they were created, these…
So much of what we know about art comes from art historians, but how much do we know about the art historians themselves?
In the second installment in our series on jewelry’s place in art history, we’re exploring jewelry collecting in the Renaissance, a time when jewels were considered as valuable to possess and display…
When we think of Leonardo da Vinci’s most notable works, it would be easy to assume the women behind the Mona Lisa or Lady with an Ermine were his muses. One may therefore be surprised to discover…
Indiana Jones is a terrible archeologist. Yet, despite the films having next to nothing to do with actual archeological work, he is somehow the most famous icon of the field. Those within the field…
Much as the late nineteenth-century American myth of Manifest Destiny was used to justify westward expansion, many history paintings worked to shape and uphold stories of superiority and inferiority…
Even though Dostoevsky’s drawings feel like a byproduct of his writing process and Plath’s more like an independent form of expression, both still seem linked to an abundance of creativity and the…
Ranked as one of the best Historic Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in America, Howard University is often referred to as “The Harvard of HBCUs.” Established in 1867, Howard is one of 101…
Sculpture gardens are outdoor spaces that unify art and nature, allowing visitors to slow down and reflect while immersing themselves in a creative environment. We’ve chosen six sculpture parks and…
While audiences have always loved a good biopic, finding the stories of artists and other changemakers particularly fascinating, gender bias has often led female creators to be downplayed as lovers,…
Once known for her stylized portraits of the wealthy and famous, a musical about the life of Polish Art Deco painter, Lempicka, has secured three nominations since premiering on…
Art has been used as an outlet for the expression of emotions for centuries, though it wasn’t until the 1940s that it was specifically deemed a form of therapy in the United States…
With a robust food culture and deep, rich history, Italy is the fifth most touristic country in the world, bringing in about 50 million visitors per year. Vacationing there in peak seasons, however,…
We take a look back at some of the controversial battles that art critic Jerry Saltz has had with various artists.
