A Scholarly Skater
-
How to Enjoy an Art Museum When You Didn’t Study Art
For anyone who’s ever felt frustrated or unsure in an art museum, here are a few strategies to make museum visits more enjoyable and fulfilling.
-
A Matter of Perspective
When Leonardo da Vinci painted his famous The Last Supper fresco, he used some cool tricks to make the painting seem to be part of the room itself.
-
The Mystery of the Disappearing Velasquez (maybe)
The Vanishing Velasquez tells the wild but true story of a man who believed that he owned a lost Velasquez masterpiece. It’s still an unsolved mystery.
-
The Minoan Bull Leaping Fresco
In the ancient city of Knossos, archaeologists found many beautiful frescos. One of them depicts something strange – a trio of people vaulting over a bull.
-
Art That Inspires Me: El Anatsui
El Anatsui is a Nigerian artist who creates beautiful, tapestry-like artworks out of trashed materials like bottle caps and scrap metal.
-
Art That Inspires Me: Thomas Cole
To talk about why I love Thomas Cole’s work, I’ll focus on A Snow Squall (1825), one particular painting that I recently saw for the first time.
-
Art That Inspires Me: Faiyum Mummy Portraits
In Roman Egypt, many beautiful mummy portraits were made in and around the area of Faiyum. They were attached to mummy wrappings to cover the mummy’s head.
-
A Magical Day at the New York Historical Society’s Harry Potter: A History of Magic
Harry Potter: A History of Magic is an exhibition that puts the Harry Potter series in its historical and artistic context.
-
Art That Inspires Me: Cycladic Figurines
I’ve always loved ancient Cycladic figurines – little marble statues depicting stylized human figures. They can be found in most major museums.
-
The Beautiful Things of Hillwood Estate
Hillwood Estate in Washington D.C. was the treasure-filled home of hostess, philanthropist, and art collector Marjorie Merriweather Post.
-
The Jefferson Hotel, Where Gators Once Roamed
The Jefferson Hotel in Richmond, Virginia opened in 1895. It has been renovated several times since, and it’s decorated in a luxurious, eclectic style.
-
Unexpected Treasures at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts includes the McGlothlin collection of American art, the Gans collection of English silver, and works by Faberge.
