Art History

December 18, 2024

Spanish Painting Hidden for 140 Years Is Now on Public View for the First Time Ever

Spanish artist Joaquín Sorolla wasn’t aware that he’d paint a sought-after masterpiece during his visit to Paris between 1889 and 1890. He also wasn’t aware that the work, titled Paris Boulevard (1890), would eventually be declared missing for more than a century. Primarily lauded for his sprawling seascapes, idyllic beach scenes, and astounding mastery of light, Sorolla didn’t often veer toward moodier compositions as he did in Paris Boulevard.

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December 9, 2024

Art History and Famous Photography References in ‘The Simpsons’

The TV show The Simpsons has long been lauded for predicting the future, but it has also drawn from the past for its visual gags. An Instagram account known simply as Criminal Simpsons has compiled the art history references featured in the beloved long-running animated sitcom, as well as the famous photographs they've recreated and cleverly woven into their episodes. The art references in The Simpsons never feel gratuitous.

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November 28, 2024

Monet Painting Gifted to Churchill Is on Display in London

Anyone who watched Netflix's The Crown will remember the aging Prime Minister Winston Churchill, played by John Lithgow, reacting violently to a portrait of himself. Churchill was many things—a war hero, a politician, an aristocrat—including an enthusiastic painter and admirer of the arts. In fact, the series even captures Churchill sitting in his garden as he whiles away his troubles painting on a canvas.

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November 12, 2024

Archeologists Discover “Tiny Home” in Pompeii Filled With Well-Preserved Frescoes

Nearly 2,000 years after its destruction, Pompeii continues to surprise archeologists. The ancient port city, covered in ash during the Mount Vesuvius eruption of 79 CE, is filled with clues about life in ancient Rome. From bakeries and snack bars to richly painted houses, these glimpses into the past are critical to our understanding of history.

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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.