Renaissance Art

July 9, 2022

17 Facts You Need to Know About the Delightfully Weird ‘Garden of Earthly Delights’

Depicting a fantastically surreal world that ranges from orgiastic pleasure to terrifying horror, Hieronymus Bosch's The Garden of Earthly Delights has fascinated the public for centuries. Now housed in Madrid's Prado Museum, it's hard to believe this bizarre painting—filled with Willy Wonka machines and hybrid creatures caught in strange acts—was painted over 500 years ago. In the information age, it's shocking how much is still open to interpretation when it comes to The Garden of Earthly Delights.

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May 15, 2022

10 Surprising Facts About Michelangelo

One of the greatest artists of all time, Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475–1564) enjoyed unparalleled success both during and after his lifetime. Along with Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, and Titian, he is considered the exemplary figure of the Italian Renaissance and millions flock to see his work in Italy each year. From his iconic David sculpture to his breathtaking frescos in the Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo has been making history for centuries. His nickname Il Divino (‘The Divine One”)

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March 21, 2022

The Story Behind Raphael’s Masterpiece ‘The School of Athens’

Long before Raphael the hotheaded, red-eye-mask-wearing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle entertained children onscreen, there was Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino (best known simply as Raphael) the esteemed painter who’d won over a cultured crowd of art connoisseurs. By his mid-20s, Raphael was already a star. At the top of his game, this master of the Italian Renaissance had been invited by the pope to live in Rome, where he would spend the rest of his days.

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February 13, 2022

14 Facts About Leonardo da Vinci’s Incredible Life

From the Mona Lisa to the Vitruvian Man, so much of Leonardo da Vinci‘s artwork is iconic. The original Renaissance Man, Leonardo was not only a painter, but also a scientist, musician, engineer, and mathematician. Many of his scientific musings and theories were later discovered to have a basis in fact and his paintings have made an indelible mark on art 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.