Art History

November 4, 2018

The Whimsical “Composite Heads” of 16th-Century Painter Giuseppe Arcimboldo

There have been many memorable portraits throughout the history of art, including the likes of Leonardo's legendary Mona Lisa and Van Gogh‘s iconic self-portraits. There's no denying that the genre of portrait painting has been a staple for centuries. Most of these portraits offer straightforward depictions of  people. However, in the 16th century, painter Giuseppe Arcimboldo turned the genre on its head with his topsy-turvy Composite Heads. Who is Giuseppe Arcimboldo? Giuseppe Arcimboldo (1526-1593)

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October 21, 2018

Mannerism: The Style That Put an Elaborate Twist on Renaissance Art

During the Renaissance, Italian artists found inspiration in the ideal forms and harmonious compositions of classical antiquity. While this reinterpretation of ancient models is famously evident in the works of High Renaissance artists like Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci, it also manifested as Mannerism, a style that emerged toward the end of the movement.

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October 7, 2018

Exploring Fauvism’s Expressive and Colorful Contributions to Modern Art

At the start of the 20th century, the modern art movement was taking shape around the world. In Austria, Gustav Klimt was crafting his glimmering gold paintings. In Tahiti, ex-patriate Paul Gauguin was keeping Post-Impressionism alive. And in France, a “wild” group of artists founded Fauvism, a genre defined by an expressive approach to painting. Unlike most other major art movements, Fauvism lasted for only a few years.

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September 28, 2018

The Story Behind the Iconic ‘Dogs Playing Poker’ Paintings

It’s not commonly known, but Dogs Playing Poker by Cassius Marcellus Coolidge refers to not just one painting, but 18 of them! The series includes the artist’s original Poker Game (1894) painting, along with 16 other oil paintings commissioned in 1903 by Brown & Bigelow to advertise cigars, and an additional 1910 painting.

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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.