Art History

June 8, 2018

The Story Behind Renoir’s Impressionist Masterpiece ‘Luncheon of the Boating Party’

For years, viewers have been captivated by Luncheon of the Boating Party, an Impressionist masterpiece by Pierre-Auguste Renoir. In addition to its refined brushwork and eye-catching color palette, the piece is celebrated for simultaneously showcasing Renoir's three signature subjects: portraiture, still-life depictions, and en plein air settings. The Painting At 51″ x 68″, Luncheon of the Boating Party is one of Renoir's largest paintings. It was painted in 1881 and shown at the Seventh Impressionist Exhibition the following year, where it was overwhelmingly praised by critics.

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May 20, 2018

Degas’ Dancers: How Ballerinas Inspired the Iconic Impressionist Artist

No matter how many muses inspired them, certain Impressionist artists are associated with a single, signature subject. From Claude Monet‘s Water Lilies to the mother-daughter relationships captured by Mary Cassatt, each theme offers viewers a glimpse into the artist's interests, influences, and experiences. While most Impressionists opted to explore their favorite subjects only in oils, French artist Edgar Degas took it a step further, rendering his beloved ballerinas in paint, pastel, pencil, ink, and even wax.

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April 10, 2018

The Evolution of Hyperrealism: From Religious Paintings to Simulated Reality

As with any artistic movement, the evolution of Hyperrealism can only be told in relation to the other influential art styles that preceded it. Hyperrealism traces its roots back through Photorealism, and Realism before that, sharing many of the same artistic traits, yet, its own distinct individual style. The rise of Hyperrealism correlates with the development of photography.

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March 23, 2018

How the Development of the Camera Changed Our World

These days, thanks to smartphones, almost everyone has a camera with them at any given moment. With the resurgence of digital cameras, photography’s impact on the world is more evident than ever. Rewinding time, before selfies were a cultural norm, before geniuses like Cindy Sherman and Andrea Gursky elevated photography to an art form, someone had to invent this piece of technology. So, who invented the camera?

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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.