Art History

September 18, 2021

Take a Tour of Tessellations, the Mathematical Art of Repeating Patterns

Tessellations—repeating geometric patterns made up of shapes like hexagons, octagons, and more—can be found all around us, from patterned wallpaper to decorative mosaics. This mathematical art form dates back to 4000 BCE when the Sumerians used clay tiles to decorate their homes and temples. Since then, virtually every other civilization throughout history has adopted tessellations in both art and architecture.

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August 20, 2021

Pompeii’s Fully Preserved Ancient “Snack Bar” Opens to the Public

The ancient city of Pompeii remains frozen in 79 CE, when the flourishing Italian town was buried under falling ash from Mount Vesuvius. While excavations have been ongoing at the site since the 18th century, much of the city remains buried. From 2019 to 2020, archeologists discovered and excavated a stunning thermopolium, a type of hot food stand or “snack bar” which was common in Roman times.

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August 10, 2021

10 Facts About Utagawa Hiroshige: The Last Great Master of Japanese Woodblock Printing

Japanese artist Utagawa Hiroshige is often regarded as the last great artist of the Ukiyo-e movement. Ukiyo-e translates to “images of the floating world,” and artists of the movement made woodblock prints and paintings that depicted scenes of history, nature, and famous faces of Edo. However, rather than create prints depicting typical Ukiyo-e motifs, Hiroshige developed his own style.

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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.