Discover the fascinating varied phenomenon we call Islamic art. It’s a wide-ranging area with lots of diversity, so consider this an introduction to what you'll see in the Islamic Art section of any art museum rather than a definitive guide to a set of singular characteristics.
Author: Alexandra Kiely (A Scholarly Skater)
Alexandra Kiely, aka A Scholarly Skater, is an art historian based in the northeastern United States. She loves wandering down the dark and dusty corners of art history and wholeheartedly believes in visual art's ability to enrich every person's life.
Her favorite periods of art history are 19th-century American painting and medieval European art and architecture. When she not looking at, reading about, writing about, or teaching art, she's probably ice dancing or reading.
Three Reasons Why You Should Care About Architecture
Sometimes, I think architectural history is even more fascinating and meaningful than the history of smaller-scale arts like painting and sculpture. In this post, I give you three reasons why you should learn about architecture.
Van Gogh’s Cypresses: 2023’s Summer Blockbuster
This summer, everyone is talking about the Van Gogh's Cypresses exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Just from the name Van Gogh, you know there are going to be huge crowds. Fortunately, however, I was recently able to get in to see the exhibition and had a really nice time.
Book Review: The Lost Van Gogh by Jonathan Santlofer
Jonathan Santlofer's The Lost Van Gogh is a new novel about a self portrait by Vincent Van Gogh. Find out what I though of the book in advance of its January 2024 release.
A Review of the Walters Art Museum
I recently spent a lovely few hours at the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore and discovered that is one of the best art collections you can see for free in the United States.
Five subjects to help you understand art (besides art history)
For the intellectually curious among my readers, discover five subject areas (besides art history) you can study to help you better understand art and architecture.
Visual Literacy: Art Appreciation in Everyday Life
Visual literacy, the ability to think critically about visual images, is one of the most important life skills you can acquire through art appreciation. Learn what it is and why it's so valuable.
Art History Skills: Subject Matter Analysis
In this video, a deleted scene from an early version of Art Appreciation for Beginners, I demonstrate one facet of art historical analysis by discussing the imagery on a Tibetan Buddhist crown.
Contemplating Moroni’s Portrait of a Woman at the Frick
The Frick Collection has recently acquired Portrait of a Woman, an intriguing and surprisingly assertive portrait of an unidentified woman in luxurious Renaissance clothing. Here is how I interpreted the work during and after my first chance to see it at Frick Madison.
Why See Art in Museums?
With the many (mostly free) virtual art-viewing opportunities that have sprang up since 2020, it's easier than ever to see artworks without ever leaving your home. Therefore, you may wonder if there's really any need to actually go to museums and see art in person. In my opinion, the answer is a resounding yes, since no app or video yet developed has managed to truly replicate the unique experience of being inside the museum. In this article, discover four main reasons to visit museums in person, as well as suggestions for how to make the most of each one.