Art History
October 2, 2018

Discover 10 Famous Portrait Paintings and the Real-Life People Who Inspired Them

No matter the scope of their favorite subjects, most artists have dabbled in the age-old art of portraiture.  Defined by portrayals of people, whether self-portraits or commissions from statesmen or close friends, this genre has been practiced by art history’s most influential painters, culminating in an extensive collection of world-famous portraits. Used in a time before photographs to capture one’s personality and likeness, the tradition has been carried on as a more intimate and skillful gesture.

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Tattoos
October 1, 2018

Mind-Bending Illusion Tattoos Reveal Entire Worlds Hiding Beneath the Skin

Tattoo artist Jesse Rix creates visual magic on the body. With an expert understanding of optical illusion tattoo designs, his trompe-l’œil body art reveals otherworldly scenes hiding just beneath the skin. The crisp lines, master use of perspective, and bold colors create an incredible sense of depth that will make you momentarily think you’re gazing into another universe.

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Environment
September 28, 2018

Shocking Beached Whale Installation “Washes Up” in the Philippines

With microplastics polluting the food chain and increasing numbers of marine species facing endangerment, the world's ocean plastic issue is more urgent than ever. To push the issue, Greenpeace Philippines used art to make a bold statement about the pollution issues facing local communities. Seeking to capture the public's attention, a nearly 50-foot-long blue whale was beached just south of Manila.

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Drawing
September 28, 2018

Artist Merges Cartography with Ink and Pencil Drawings to Create Beautiful Portraits

British artist Ed Fairburn uses maps as his canvas to create incredible portrait drawings. Each detailed work merges the topographic lines of cartography with the hand-drawn contours of the subject’s face, resulting in a captivating coexistence between landscape and humanity. Rendered using traditional drawing materials such as ink and pencil, Fairburn starts by making gradual changes to various types of maps to “tease out” the human form.

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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.