Art History

September 14, 2021

Dissecting Rembrandt’s Masterpiece Painting ‘The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp’

A decade before Rembrandt produced his masterpiece The Night Watch, he was a newly established portrait painter in the Dutch Republic. His first major commission in Amsterdam was a striking painting of a doctor performing a public dissection before a group of fascinated spectators. Entitled The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp, this large group portrait is considered an early triumph for the 26-year-old Rembrandt.

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August 17, 2021

Ancient Egyptians Wore Gold Sandals With Matching Toe Caps To Be Buried In

The ancient Egyptians are known for their rich and ritualistic burials. Whether a pharaoh in the Valley of the Kings or a bureaucrat in a modest rock cut tomb, the items left in a grave were intended to facilitate the transition to the afterlife. Among these items were sandals—necessary for both the living and the dead. These funerary sandals could be similar to those work in life—made of leather typically, or even papyrus.

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August 8, 2021

Uncover the History Behind Rembrandt’s Masterpiece Painting ‘The Night Watch’

Rembrandt van Rijn was one of the most prolific artists of the Dutch Golden Age. As a master of three types of media, he produced numerous sketches, prints, and paintings that continue to be admired today. However, among his impressive oeuvre, there is one piece that stands out from the rest: a fascinating group portrait painting called The Night Watch.

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July 24, 2021

6 Masters of Photorealism Who Reproduce Intricate Details Using Only Paint

As a counter to the Abstract Expressionist movement, Photorealism, aka Super-realism, evolved in America during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Taking photography as their inspiration, painters with astounding technical ability strived to recreate images (or several combined) in precise detail. Rejecting idealism and abstraction, photorealists—past and present—often project photos onto their canvases to allow them to replicate them with precision and accuracy.

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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.