Art Appreciation 101

Ask the Scholarly Skater

I recently polled my Facebook friends about their burning art-related questions. I got four great questions, for which I hope I gave four good answers. Do you have an art question you want answered? Let me know in the comments!   Question: Why do Greek and Roman gods always appear naked? Answer: Different cultures and religions… Continue reading Ask the Scholarly Skater

Gargoyle of the Day · Italian

Gargoyle of the Day – Temple of Nike at Himera, Sicily

These lion gargoyles come from the Temple of Nike (Victory) at Himera, Sicily. The ancient temple was probably built to commemorate a military victory of the Syracusans (rulers of Sicily) over the Carthaginians c. 480 BCE, though it was destroyed around 408 BCE in another battle that resulted in victory for the Carthaginians. Ruins of… Continue reading Gargoyle of the Day – Temple of Nike at Himera, Sicily

Ancient & Classical Art · Art Crimes

Where are they now? – Repatriated Art & Antiquities

I read this very interesting article in the Sunday arts section of The New York Times this morning. It is basically a "Where are they now?" report on a few of the more interesting art and antiquities repatriation cases to be resolved in the recent past. I'm glad to see that people are taking an… Continue reading Where are they now? – Repatriated Art & Antiquities