Art History

December 31, 2024

All These Books, Films, and Artworks Are Entering the Public Domain in 2025

Every January 1 is Public Domain Day, as the copyright on many works of art expires and they are released onto the public domain. With this, they become free to enjoy, share, and reuse for any purpose by anyone. In 2025, this includes works published in 1929 for the United States, as well as creations by artists who passed away in 1954 for countries with a copyright term of “life plus 70 years.

Read Article

December 16, 2024

Rare Caravaggio Painting Emerges and Is Publicly Displayed for the First Time Ever

Michelangelo Merisi, better known as Caravaggio, has had a profound impact upon Baroque art. Throughout his short yet storied life (he died in 1610 at the age of 38), he produced some of art history’s most vivid paintings, each demonstrating a masterful command over light, movement, and emotion. Caravaggio, however, was not known for painting portraits. This fact is what makes the first-ever display of his portrait of Maffeo Barberini so incredible.

Read Article

November 29, 2024

The Incredible Story of How the Mona Lisa’s Theft Transformed It From Artwork to Icon

There are few artworks that have risen to the same level of fame and recognition as Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa (ca. 1503-1506). More than 10 million people view the Mona Lisa every year at the Louvre, making it the most visited painting in the world. Less known is that the beloved painting has also been subject to one of the most publicized art thefts in history.

Read Article

November 21, 2024

New Research Reveals Vincent van Gogh’s Famous Blue ‘Irises’ Were Originally Purple

The painting Irises is one of Vincent van Gogh's most well-known works of art. The deceptively simple piece has captivated academics and the general public for centuries, particularly for the way the blue flowers evoke a calming, reflective feeling. However, it turns out that these flowers weren't always blue. New research at the Getty Museum has revealed that these world-famous blooms were actually purple when they were conceived and painted by the Dutch artist.

Read Article

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.