Art History
April 28, 2025

At a Church in Naples, There’s a Secret Fresco Hidden Behind a 16th-Century Painting

At first glance, nothing appears to be amiss in the Church of Saint George Maggiore in Naples, Italy. Beside the main altar and flanked by a semicircle of white columns is a magnificent, 16th-century painting by Alessio D’Elia, depicting the life of San Severo. It’s an unassuming composition until, almost like a window, the canvas swings open to reveal a vibrant fresco on the wall behind it.

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Art
April 27, 2025

New ‘Little Beasts’ Exhibition Explores the Intersections of Natural History and Art

Back in Europe during the 16th and 17th centuries, animals conjured a remarkable sense of wonder. It was an era of unprecedented exploration, where scientific technology, trade, and colonial expansion led to the study of previously unknown or overlooked species. Integral to cataloging these beestjes, or “little beasts,” were artists. An upcoming exhibition at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.

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Architecture
April 26, 2025

Striking Jinling Art Museum Lined With a Pixelated Gradient Pattern of 139,900 Ceramic Bricks

The city of Nanjing, China, traditionally known as Jinling, has a unique place in history. Established over 3,100 years ago, it once was the world's largest city and the first to have a population of 1 million. With a mission to spotlight this significance and send a message about progress, AZL Architects was tasked with designing the Jinling Art Museum. The firm completed the building in 2024.

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Crafts
April 25, 2025

What Is Batik? Learn How Wax Resist Can Give Way To Beautiful Surface Design

There are many ways to create surface designs on fabric, many of which have a long place in our collective history. Batik is one such approach. It’s the art of decorating cloth using wax and dye. Batik is a resist technique, meaning that the wax acts as an impediment to the dye. Wherever the wax is placed, the dye will not go. Once the wax is removed, the fabric's original color remains.

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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.