Art History

January 23, 2022

Shining a Light on the Beautiful Illuminated Manuscripts of the Medieval Period

Imagine spending hours pouring over a dusty old book, painstakingly copying the text word for word onto a new page in a blank volume. This laborious process was necessary in the Middle Ages and Early Renaissance. Before the introduction of moveable type in Europe during the 15th century, books were written out in ink by hand. These books are called manuscripts, derived from the Latin manuscriptus. Manu means “by hand” and scriptus means “written.

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January 16, 2022

Learn About Eugène Delacroix, the Pioneering French Romantic Painter

Towards the end of the 18th century, a new art movement emerged called Romanticism. This widespread cultural period celebrated the spiritual side of humanity, the sublimity of nature, and individualism through dramatic, large-scale paintings. At the forefront of this remarkable style was the French artist Eugène Delacroix. Delacroix and his contemporaries influenced the landscape of painting, which for decades had been dominated by the austere and intellectual aesthetics of Neoclassical art.

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January 7, 2022

Why Michelangelo’s ‘David’ Is an Icon of the Italian Renaissance

Michelangelo's defiant David statue has captivated the world for centuries. Considered one of art history's major masterpieces, the marble sculpture showcases both the artist's skill and the fine art focus that defines the Renaissance. Since its debut in the early 16th century, artists and art connoisseurs alike have admired the piece. Esteemed artist, writer, and historian Giorgio Vasari noted that “no other artwork is equal to it in any respect, with such just proportion, beauty and excellence did Michelangelo finish it.

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January 2, 2022

Discover 10 Famous Portrait Paintings and the Real Life People Who Inspired Them

No matter the scope of their favorite subjects, most artists have dabbled in the age-old art of portraiture. Defined by portrayals of people, this genre has been practiced by art history's most influential painters, culminating in an extensive collection of world-famous portraits. While the artists behind these pieces are universally well-known, the subjects are often less obvious.

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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.