Art History

April 10, 2022

You Can Now Explore All of ‘The Book of Kells’ for Free Online

When people think of Ireland, the rolling green hills, Guinness beer, and twisted Celtic knots might be what comes to mind. The small island nation has a storied history of resistance to oppression and perseverance through famine, but the most iconic piece of Irish history dates to the early medieval period. The Book of Kells—held in the library of Trinity College Dublin—is a masterpiece of medieval illumination and manuscript craft.

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March 25, 2022

18 Famous French Painters Every Art Lover Should Know About

There’re countless artists from across the globe who have shaped the art world as we know it today. However, France has been home to many of the most famous and influential painters in Western history. Art was—and still is—an essential part of French culture, and was nurtured even from its ancient beginnings.

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March 21, 2022

The Story Behind Raphael’s Masterpiece ‘The School of Athens’

Long before Raphael the hotheaded, red-eye-mask-wearing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle entertained children onscreen, there was Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino (best known simply as Raphael) the esteemed painter who’d won over a cultured crowd of art connoisseurs. By his mid-20s, Raphael was already a star. At the top of his game, this master of the Italian Renaissance had been invited by the pope to live in Rome, where he would spend the rest of his days.

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March 7, 2022

Longstanding Mystery Surrounding the Origins of a 30,000-Year-Old Figurine Is Solved

New information is shedding light on the origins of a 30,000-year-old sculpture. The Venus of Willendorf, a 4.4-inch-tall carving crafted between 30,000 and 25,000 BCE, is named for its discovery in Willendorf, Austria. However, the stone it is made from could not be found anywhere in the area—a fact that shrouded the object in mystery for years. Now, researchers believe they have an answer to the statue's history, pinpointing the unique rock to northern Italy.

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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.