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A Scholarly Skater

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Category: Art History

Woman Leaning On Bookshelf, Reading Five subjects to help you understand art (besides art history)
Art Appreciation 101 · Art History

Five subjects to help you understand art (besides art history)

May 18, 2023 Alexandra Kiely (A Scholarly Skater)Leave a comment

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.

Subject matter analysis Art History Skills: Subject Matter Analysis
Art Appreciation 101 · Art History · Asian Art

Art History Skills: Subject Matter Analysis

April 27, 2023April 27, 2023 Alexandra Kiely (A Scholarly Skater)Leave a comment

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.

Woman in Black Dress Standing in Front of Painting Seven Tips for Studying Art History on Your Own
Art Appreciation 101 · Art History

Seven Tips for Studying Art History on Your Own

January 13, 2023April 28, 2023 Alexandra Kiely (A Scholarly Skater)Leave a comment

There are lots of resources out there for people who want to study art history on their own. However, structure and guidance are harder to come by, so here is my best advice for getting the most out of your art history self study.

Enthroned Virgin and Child with Saints painting What is Attribution?
Art History · European Art · Renaissance Art

What is Attribution?

December 7, 2022May 2, 2023 Alexandra Kiely (A Scholarly Skater)5 Comments

Understand attribution, the process by which art historians make educated suppositions about who made an artwork, and learn about the pseudonyms given to artists whose real names we don't know. Enjoy some pretty religious paintings at the same time.

Doryphoros What is Contrapposto?
Ancient & Classical Art · Art History · Renaissance Art

What is Contrapposto?

September 1, 2020September 12, 2022 Alexandra Kiely (A Scholarly Skater)Leave a comment

The term contrapposto is often used when describing classical, Renaissance, and later paintings and sculptures. But what exactly is contrapposto?

Women's Art Class by Louis Lang How To Teach Children About Art History
Art Appreciation 101 · Art History

How To Teach Children About Art History

April 22, 2020September 12, 2022 Alexandra Kiely (A Scholarly Skater)2 Comments

I wasn't a big art lover as a child, but there's no reason other kids won't be. Here are my ideas for how to introduce children to art history.

Seven Reasons to Study Art History
Art History

Seven Reasons to Study Art History

July 26, 2019September 13, 2022 Alexandra Kiely (A Scholarly Skater)2 Comments

I stumbled upon art history by accident and loved it, but here are some much better reasons to study this fascinating subject.

The Student by Sir George Clausen art history exams Surviving College Art History and Its Exams
Art History

Surviving College Art History and Its Exams

March 29, 2019September 13, 2022 Alexandra Kiely (A Scholarly Skater)Leave a comment

Studying art history in college is a very rewarding experience, but it can definitely be a bit confusing and always stressful at exam time. Here is my advice about what to expect, how to succeed, and how to prepare for exams.

Leonardo da Vinci - Female head (La Scapigliata) Period Eye: Seeing Old Art With Modern Eyes
Art History

Period Eye: Seeing Old Art With Modern Eyes

February 20, 2019May 2, 2023 Alexandra Kiely (A Scholarly Skater)Leave a comment

We all know that things have been different in the past - worldviews, cultural preferences, technological capabilities, and more. But have you ever considered how that impacts the way you look at art?

Greek Lead Figure of a Warrior votive What Are Votives? They’re Not Just Candles.
Art History · Exhibitions

What Are Votives? They’re Not Just Candles.

January 2, 2019January 2, 2023 Alexandra Kiely (A Scholarly Skater)4 Comments

Over Christmas break, I saw Agents of Faith: Votive Objects in Time and Place at the Bard College Graduate Center Gallery in Manhattan. The show's almost over, so instead of writing a review, I thought I would tell you what votives are and what I learned about them in the show.

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