Art History

November 1, 2021

World’s Largest Intact Mosaic Is on View in the Basement of a Luxury Hotel in Turkey

Mosaic floors abounded in the ancient Mediterranean and Near East. In temples, churches, and private homes, mosaics illustrated scenes from mythology or boasted geometric motifs. Modern developers frequently encounter these floors when excavating in places such as Italy or Turkey. In 2010, workers encountered an especially impressive mosaic while digging the foundation for a new hotel in Antakya, Turkey.

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October 22, 2021

World’s Oldest Pair of Skis Discovered in Ice by Researchers in Norway

Skiing may seem like a modern pastime, but humans have been strapping wood to their feet and gliding on snow for many millennia. Skiing has been a useful—and often necessary—mode of transportation since at least 6,000 BCE. However, most ancient skis are only known through rock art depictions and fragments of wood. This makes a recent finding by a Norwegian team of archeologists all the more exciting.

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October 6, 2021

Sandro Botticelli: The Renaissance Artist Who Became the Master of Mythology Scenes

Few artists encapsulate the pristine beauty of Renaissance art as well as Sandro Botticelli. An artist from the Quattrocento, or Early Renaissance period, he represented the shift away from the Gothic style and toward classical ideals and naturalism. Although Botticelli left behind a diverse portfolio of portraits and religious paintings, he is best remembered for his mythological scenes.

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September 20, 2021

10 Movies That Bring The Lives of Great Artists to the Silver Screen

While it's certainly interesting to read about the lives of famous artists, there's something about seeing them on screen that can't be replicated. So many famous artists have had such incredible lives that they seem made for a movie, and thankfully some incredible films about painters have been made throughout the years. Some are closer to documentaries, while others take some liberties with their scripts, but they all paint fascinating pictures of their subjects.

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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.