Art History

July 25, 2020

How the Florence Cathedral Spent Centuries Under Construction to Become a Beloved Landmark

From its scarlet red dome to its beckoning bell tower, the Santa Maria del Fiore is an architectural gem. Also known as the Florence Cathedral, it is one of the most significant—and most visited—landmarks in Italy and the fourth largest church in Europe. At first glance, the Florence Cathedral may appear to be one vast feat of architecture, but it is actually made up of a few different components.

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July 11, 2020

Meet Les Nabis, the “Prophets of Modern Art” Who Transformed Turn-Of-The-Century Painting

As France approached the turn of the 20th-century, several modernist movements had started to take shape. Inspired by the forward-thinking Impressionists, like-minded fin de siècle artists banded together to push the boundaries of art. While most of these groupings revolved around shared styles, tastes, or techniques, the Nabi movement was more metaphysical in nature, born out of a “prophecy” that promised a new age of painting.   Who were the Nabis?

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June 26, 2020

7 Spirited Works of Art Sparked by Revolution

In 1830, French artist Eugène Delacroix described an ambitious new project in a letter to his brother. “I have undertaken a modern subject, a barricade, and although I may not have fought for my country, at least I shall have painted for her,” he wrote. “It has restored my good spirits.” This work-in-progress would become Liberty Leading the People, a large-scale painting portraying a subject favored by forward-thinking artists: revolution.

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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.