We often talk about genres of paintings the way we might talk about genres of movies or books. But then we also talk about genre painting being one of those genres. That might be confusing, so it's important to understand the difference.
Category: Art History
Fun Words I Learned Studying Art
I've learned so many cool words I've learned studying art history. They're lots of fun to say. Here are six words along with definitions and artwork examples of each one.
Giorgio Vasari, the First Art Historian
Giorgio Vasari is considered to be the father of art history. In the mid-16th century, he wrote a set of biographies of Italy's most important artists and architects. It's been influential ever since then. A new biography of Vasari, published in 2017, takes a complete look at Vasari's life and work as both an artist and writer.
Busting Myths About Art History
Today, I'll debunk some common misconceptions about being an art historian. I hear these a lot when I talk about my work. Plus, I've included a little about the skills you learn as an art historian that will help with any career.
What Is an Art Historian?
When I tell people that I'm an art historian, I'm often met with general confusion and awkwardness. So, what is an art historian?
Halloween Creatures in Five Centuries of Art (HeadStuff)
It wouldn't be Halloween if I didn't write at least once about creepy creatures in art. (Did you really think I wasn't going to do it this year?) Well, HeadStuff just posted my article "Halloween Creatures in Five Centuries of Art", in which I take a look at how imaginings of witches, vampires, demons, and… Continue reading Halloween Creatures in Five Centuries of Art (HeadStuff)
An Art Quote for the Quote Challenge
The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls. - Pablo Picasso Thanks to Belinda O. and her excellent taste in quotations, I was inspired to find and post a meaningful quote relating to the theme of my blog. This one is both relevant and true. No matter your preferred medium or form of expression, the… Continue reading An Art Quote for the Quote Challenge
Failure… or Not (WordPress Writing 101 Prompt #14)
Today’s assignment was to pick up the nearest book, turn to page twenty-nine, and write a post based on the first word that you notice on that page. In a fashion that should not surprise anyone who knows anything about me, my nearest book was Robert Edsel’s The Monuments Men. I’m nothing if not predictable.… Continue reading Failure… or Not (WordPress Writing 101 Prompt #14)
WordPress Writing 101 Prompt #9: What Manet’s Girls Saw
For today's prompt about writing from a different point of view, I decided to describe a work of art from the perspective of a figure depicted in the work. I have chosen Edouard Manet's Railroad (Gare St-Lazare) at the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C., a painting noted for its opaque psychology, unclear narrative, and… Continue reading WordPress Writing 101 Prompt #9: What Manet’s Girls Saw
WordPress Writing 101 Prompt #8: Evocative Worlds in the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Today’s prompt involves describing a place with the added challenge of doing so without using adverbs. The prompt specifies that I go to a place and describe it while I’m there, but I will describe someplace from memory because the weather is crummy, I competed this morning, and I have no desire to go back… Continue reading WordPress Writing 101 Prompt #8: Evocative Worlds in the Metropolitan Museum of Art
A Scholarly Skater 