Renaissance Art
December 31, 2020

What Is a Reliquary? Here’s a Short Introduction To the Bejeweled Medieval Vessels

The veneration of saints was a fundamental feature of medieval Christianity. The remaining relics of these holy people took on new religious significance in the early Middle Ages. As objects of veneration and pilgrimage, the physical remains of the holy and their belongings required some of the finest works of medieval metallurgy and artistry: reliquaries. These purpose-built containers were typically constructed of precious materials and often depicted scenes from the saint's life and Biblical history.

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Illusion
December 31, 2020

Mind-Bending Optical Illusion Makes Static Figures Appear to Run and Jump Off Stairs

Another incredible optical illusion is taking the internet by storm. Twitter user Jagarikin created the illusion, which appears to show a set of figures running up and then jumping off a set of stairs. Dubbed the Super Illusion Brothers, the image is actually static. If you're asking yourself how that's possible, it's actually quite simple. Jagarikin's work is a reverse-phi illusion. That means it uses light and dark colors to create a sense of movement.

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Street Art
December 30, 2020

Giant Tiger Mural Roars a Colorful Bouquet of Flowers and Glistening Gems

Mixed-media artist Naomi Haverland merges realistic portraiture with surrealist whimsy in her latest project. The Florida-based painter was commissioned by a business in Tampa to create a mural that would convey “diversity and empowerment.” After a few brainstorming sessions, Haverland proposed a magnificent tiger whose roar released a waterfall of flowers and sequins.

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Movies
December 30, 2020

You Can Now Download More Than 1,000 Still Images From Studio Ghibli Films for Free

An incredible amount of time and attention to detail goes into each and every Studio Ghibli film. The talented animators are known for their expertise in traditional cel animation. That means every single frame is carefully drawn by hand. It’s easy to miss details when the images move so fast. Luckily, Studio Ghibli has recently released a huge collection of 1,178 still images from its iconic films, allowing you to marvel at every hand-drawn element.

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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.