Art History
April 17, 2022

How Gustave Courbet Shocked the Art World With His Realistic Depictions of Everyday People

The 19th century was a time of significant artistic change in Europe, particularly in France. While the era began with an emphasis on Romanticism, another movement arose in the 1840s that drastically altered the course of art history. Based in France, Realism emphasized the lives of ordinary, working-class people in contemporary settings. Gustave Courbet was at the heart of this movement, creating large-scale depictions of peasants that shocked the country.

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History
April 16, 2022

All Hail Sobekneferu: Learn About the First Known Female Pharaoh of Ancient Egypt

The title of pharaoh is synonymous with the grandeur of the ancient Egyptian civilization. This name—which means “great house” in hieroglyphics—was given to the rulers who led this large empire. And while the majority of these figures were men like King Tut and Ramesses II, there were a few influential women who earned the title. The first recorded female pharaoh was Sobekneferu.

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Art
April 15, 2022

Immersive Basquiat Exhibition Reveals 177 Works That Have Never Been on Display

The late great artist Jean-Michel Basquiat has a new show opening in New York City. Organized by the artist’s family, the exhibition is titled Jean-Michel Basquiat: King Pleasure and is on view at Starrett Lehigh Building in Chelsea. It offers visitors an intimate look at the pioneering creative, as his family shares their collection for the first time.

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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.