A Scholarly Skater
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Up Close and Personal With Illuminated Manuscripts
Taking a close look at the medieval illuminated manuscripts at an NYC book fair reminded me how manuscripts are best enjoyed in person.
-
Art That Inspires Me: Lady Agnew of Locknaw by John Singer Sargent
I love John Singer Sargent, and this is my all-time favorite Sargent painting. It depicts Lady Gertrude Agnew of Locknaw, a Scottish aristocrat.
-
Period Eye: Seeing Old Art With Modern Eyes
We all know that all sorts of things were different in the past. But have you ever considered how that impacts the way you look at art?
-
Don’t Walk Like an Egyptian, Because They Didn’t, Either!
People often talk about “walking like an Egyptian”, but ancient Egyptians did not walk this way. Instead, the iconic pose comes from Egyptian art.
