Art History

July 5, 2020

Explore How Neo-Expressionism Revolutionized Contemporary Figurative Painting

At the start of the 20th century, Expressionism turned the art world on its head. Spearheaded by German artists aiming to distort reality and “express” emotion, this modernist movement called for bright colors, bold brushstrokes, and energetic compositions. While Expressionism’s popularity waned by 1920, it has since sparked several styles and genres, with the Neo-Expressionists—a pack of daring artists—leading the charge.

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June 30, 2020

8 Interesting Facts About Raphael, Master of the Italian Renaissance

When listing the great artists of the Italian Renaissance, it’s impossible not to think of Raphael. He was a child prodigy brought to Rome in his mid-20s by the pope and trusted with painting some of the Vatican’s most important rooms. From oil paintings and frescos to tapestries to architecture, Raphael was an artist who mastered anything that was thrown his way.

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June 21, 2020

5 Priceless Facts About the Avant-Garde Art Collector Peggy Guggenheim

Few household names mean more to modern art than “Guggenheim.” A family of miners-turned-philanthropists, the Guggenheims struck it rich in the 19th century, amassing a fortune that has since sparked and fueled major modernist movements. Today, the Guggenheim legacy is largely linked to New York City’s Guggenheim Museum, an institution founded by Solomon R. Guggenheim in 1937. This site, however, is not the only important Guggenheim museum of modern art.

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June 14, 2020

Get a Glimmering Glimpse Into the ‘Très Riches Heures,’ an Enchanting Medieval Manuscript

In the Middle Ages, religious worship reached heavenly new heights with the advent of the illuminated manuscript. A devotional text hand-decorated with intricate imagery and glistening gilding, this type of book became popular with Europe’s literate elite. While many examples of this ethereal codex exist today, there is one that floats above the rest: the Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry. This 15th-century book of hours is among the world’s most celebrated illuminated manuscripts.

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My Modern Met

Celebrating creativity and promoting a positive culture by spotlighting the best sides of humanity—from the lighthearted and fun to the thought-provoking and enlightening.