Modern Art

April 12, 2021

1933 Article Refers to the Legendary Frida Kahlo as the “Wife of a Master Mural Painter”

Frida Kahlo is one of the few female artists who has become a universal household name. Her journey to her present fame was a long one, fought against the forces of misogyny and her own failing health. For evidence, look no further than a recently resurfaced 1933 article about the painter in the Detroit News. Written by Florence Davies, the article's headline screams: “Wife of the Master Mural Painter Gleefully Dabbles in Works of Art.

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February 17, 2021

Henry Ossawa Tanner: The Life and Work of a 19th-Century Black Artist

The 19th century was not an easy time to be a Black person in America, especially if you were trying to make it as an artist. For that reason, it is extremely remarkable to note when an American artist of African descent is able to rise above the racial discrimination so prevalent during that time period and become a renowned artist of international acclaim.

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December 13, 2020

Discover the Famous Works of Wassily Kandinsky, the Artist Who Painted Music

Russian art theorist and painter Wassily Kandinsky was one of the pioneers of abstract modern art. He believed that “objects damaged pictures,” so explored abstract forms and color as a way to evoke spirituality and human emotion. He created his own pictorial language that transcended the physical world and illustrated human experience. Kandinsky viewed music as the most sublime form of abstract art and believed his paintings could communicate certain sounds. “Color is the key.

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July 12, 2020

Discover the Eclectic Influences That Shaped Ellsworth Kelly’s Avant-Garde Art

Abstract artist Ellsworth Kelly is known for pushing the envelope with his avant-garde paintings, prints, and sculptures. Over the course of his stunning 70-year career, Kelly developed a distinctive approach to his practice, characterized by a preference for minimalism, a penchant for bold colors, and the “new freedom” of finding inspiration in the unexpected.

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