European Art
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Art That Inspires Me: Still Life Painting
Back in the days of the artistic academies, still life was considered the least prestigious of the painting genres, but it’s one of my personal favorites.
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A Matter of Perspective
When Leonardo da Vinci painted his famous The Last Supper fresco, he used some cool tricks to make the painting seem to be part of the room itself.
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The Mystery of the Disappearing Velasquez (maybe)
The Vanishing Velasquez tells the wild but true story of a man who believed that he owned a lost Velasquez masterpiece. It’s still an unsolved mystery.
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The Beautiful Things of Hillwood Estate
Hillwood Estate in Washington D.C. was the treasure-filled home of hostess, philanthropist, and art collector Marjorie Merriweather Post.
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An Array of Art at Biltmore
George Vanderbilt wasn’t a huge art collector, but he still managed to acquire quite a few notable works of art that are now on display at Biltmore.
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Charles Meryon’s “Le Stryge” (a Grotesque)
Charles Méryon’s famous print depicting a grotesque on the façade of Notre-Dame de Paris is a big part of how this grotesque became so iconic.
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Turner: The Life Behind the Paintings
If you enjoy the works of J.M.W. Turner and want to know more about him, I suggest reading Franny Moyle’s comprehensive book about his life and art.
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An Oasis in New York City: The Frick Collection
The Frick Collection is one of my favorite museums. In addition to a world-class art collection, it’s also a calm oasis in the middle of New York City.
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Turner and His Disappearing Colors
Before synthetic colors, it was important to choose your paints wisely. Artists like Turner didn’t always do this, and their paintings discolored quickly.
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What is History Painting?
History painting was once an important genre in European art. Learn about its characteristics and why all the most ambitious artists wanted to pursue it.
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The Romance of the Mountains at the Newark Museum
Thoughts on the Newark Museum’s exhibition The Rockies and The Alps: Bierstadt, Calame, and the Romance of the Mountains (March through August 2018).
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The Oxen of Laon Cathedral
A charming story about Laon Cathedral, an important early Gothic church, and why it has sixteen life-sized statues of oxen on its towers.
