Art History

September 15, 2019

How the Hudson River School Became America’s First Art Movement

During the 19th century, a group of American painters dedicated themselves to cultivating a style that would have its roots in the New World, rather than looking back to Europe. Inspired by the untamed landscape of their surroundings and filled with ideas of exploration, these landscape painters helped create what is now known as the Hudson River School. In these landscapes, the environment is filled with drama and emotion.

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August 30, 2019

You Can Spend a Night in a Room Inspired by an Edward Hopper Painting

You may have wondered what it would be like to step inside a painting, but what about sleeping in one? Recently, museums, galleries, and even homestay companies have started offering people the chance to snooze inside recreations of masterpieces, from Vincent van Gogh's beloved Bedroom in Arles to one of Edward Hopper's iconic motel rooms. This fall, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA)

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August 18, 2019

How Scandal Helped Shape Édouard Manet’s ‘Olympia’ into a Modern Masterpiece

In the 19th century, several major art movements emerged in Europe, including Realism and Impressionism. Though drastically different in style, this pair of genres had one important artist in common: Édouard Manet. Manet's groundbreaking work both blurs the line and bridges the gap between the distinctive movements, with the world-famous Olympia serving as a key example. Through a contemporary lens, Olympia is embraced as an important precursor to modern art.

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August 3, 2019

Before Macro Photography, This Scientist Used to Illustrate His Microscopic Findings

Today, many science books are full of detailed photos that reveal the intricate parts of plant life, but prior to the invention of photography (and macro photography), it was up to botanical illustrators and researchers to record the fascinating forms of flora and fauna. One scientist who recorded his findings with drawings is Ernst Heinrich Haeckel, a German biologist, naturalist, philosopher, and physician.   Who was Ernst Haeckel?

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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.