Learn about Pre-Raphaelite painting. Who were the major artists, what were their ideas, and how can you identify the works? How did the Pre-Raphaelites relate to the industrial revolution and movements like Arts & Crafts?
Tag: Modernism
A Guide to Fauvism
Understand Fauvism, the early-20th century painting style. Learn about its key artists and works, underlying ideas, historical background, and how to recognize it. Plus, what does the name mean?
A Guide to Cubism
How to recognize and understand Cubism. Learn about the key artists, underlying ideas, and background.
A Guide to Post-Impressionist Painting
The Post-Impressionist movement started in Paris around 1880. Post-Impressionism can be seen in painting and other two-dimensional art forms like drawings and prints. Artists such as Cezanne, van Gogh, Matisse, and Gauguin were its stars.
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
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)
American Art of the Week: The Cathedrals of Broadway by Florine Stettheimer
The Cathedrals of Broadway, from a series of four paintings by American artist Florine Stettmheimer about life in 1920s-40s New York.
Gargoyle of the Day: Pohjola Building, Helsinki, Finland
The 1901 Pohjola building in Helsinki, Finland is decorated with many grotesques representing figures from Finland's mythology. The word "Pohjola" itself refers to a place in the myth Kalevala,which is Finland's national epic, and the people and animals on the building are presumably from that epic. Pohjola may also refer to the name of the insurance company… Continue reading Gargoyle of the Day: Pohjola Building, Helsinki, Finland
Gargoyle of the Day: Casa della Vittoria, Turin, Italy
This dragon grotesque and his twin live on the Casa della Vittoria in Turin, Italy. The building is also sometimes called Casa dei Draghi, presumably because of decorations like this one. ("Drago" is the Italian work for "dragon".) I'm having trouble finding out more about the building, on account of the fact that my Italian is currently a bit rusty,… Continue reading Gargoyle of the Day: Casa della Vittoria, Turin, Italy
December 16th: Winter by Alphonse Mucha
A personification of winter by Alphonse Mucha. Mucha's elegant female figures are synonymous with Art Nouveau even today.