Author: A Scholarly Skater
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Seven Reasons to Study Art History
I stumbled upon art history by accident and loved it, but here are some much better reasons to study this fascinating subject.
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The Church at Gloucester by Childe Hassam
Sometimes, I walk past random paintings and fall in love with them. Childe Hassam’s The Church at Gloucester was one, and I revisited it several times.
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The Joys of the Dutch Golden Age
The long-term exhibition In Praise of Painting: Dutch Masterpieces at the Met gave me a new appreciation for the art of the Dutch Golden Age.
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The Art of Fireworks
During July 4th weekend, I enjoyed a nice display of fireworks. It made me start thinking that a really spectacular fireworks show is actually an art form.
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At Atlantic City by William Trost Richards
This painting by Luminist William Trost Richards seems to show an otherworldly fairyland… but it actually depicts a casino town on the New Jersey shore.
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Exploring Buddhist Art at the Rubin Museum of Art
The Rubin Museum of Art in New York City is all about Himalayan art – works with religion and symbolism very different from what most of us are used to.
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Meet the Gainsborough Family
Most of Thomas Gainsborough’s compelling portraits of his daughters were displayed together in Gainsborough’s Family Album at the Princeton U. Art Museum.
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Art That Inspires Me: The Paintings of Paul Cézanne
In Cézanne: A Life, Alex Danchev claims that admirers of Cézanne’s work can’t really explain why they like it. Here, I’ve done my best to prove him wrong.
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I’ve Learned Not To Take Historic Treasures For Granted
After the Notre-Dame de Paris fire, I appreciate what a miracle it is that any ancient treasures survive. But that doesn’t mean they’ll always be around.
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Surviving College Art History and Its Exams
Studying art history in college is rewarding, but it can be confusing and stressful, too. This is my best advice about what to expect and how to succeed.
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A Wearable Religious Painting from Ethiopia
At the Met, a small religious diptych from Ethiopia caught my eye. This very old Christian tradition has produced many wonderful icons like this one.
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The World Between Two Empires: Ancient Middle Eastern Art at the Met
The World Between Two Empires shows beautiful and unusual Middle Eastern art and artifacts from about 100 BCE to 250 CE.
