Author: A Scholarly Skater
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Enjoying Museum Surprises
It’s easy to assume that you know what you’ll enjoy at the museum. But try to keep an open mind. You may find a new favorite where you least expect it.
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The Hidden Colors of Antiquity
We’re used to thinking of ancient sculptures as colorless, but that’s totally wrong. Learn how the ancients painted statues and how they might have looked.
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The World’s First Painter: A Fun Fact That’s Totally a Fable
In his Natural History, The ancient Roman historian Pliny the Elder tells a memorable tale about the world’s first painter.
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What is History Painting?
History painting was once an important genre in European art. Learn about its characteristics and why all the most ambitious artists wanted to pursue it.
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The Romance of the Mountains at the Newark Museum
Thoughts on the Newark Museum’s exhibition The Rockies and The Alps: Bierstadt, Calame, and the Romance of the Mountains (March through August 2018).
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The Oxen of Laon Cathedral
A charming story about Laon Cathedral, an important early Gothic church, and why it has sixteen life-sized statues of oxen on its towers.
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Fool Me Once: A Fun Fact
Roman historian Pliny the Elder tells a humorous story about two artists trying to outdo each other with their illusionistic paintings.
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Fun Words I Learned Studying Art
I’ve learned so many cool words while studying art history. Here are six of my favorites along with definitions and artwork examples of each one.
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A Guide to Romanticism
Learn about the different themes and stylistic attributes of Romanticism in painting, sculpture, and architecture.
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The Appeal of John Singer Sargent
Many people find John Singer Sargent’s work to be very appealing, though he’s received his share of criticism as well. What makes his work so compelling?
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The Mysterious Daughters of Edward Darley Boit
John Singer Sargent’s The Daughters of Edward Darley Boit is both compelling and mysterious, and interpretations of the work have changed over time.
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The War of Art: A John Singer Sargent Fun Fact
In the unusual case of Sargent’s portrait of the Pailleron siblings, animosity between the artist and sitter made for surprisingly effective painting.
