Art History

What is Provenance, and Why is It Important?

If you've been around the art world for a while, chances are that you've heard the term "provenance". If so, you've probably gotten the sense that it is important, but you may not know what it is or why it matters. Provenance is an artwork's history of ownership, and it help you determine if a work is genuine and honest.

Art History · Books · European Art · Italian · Renaissance Art

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.

Art History

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)

Art History

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… Continue reading An Art Quote for the Quote Challenge

Art History

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)