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Our growing archive of info about art, design, and culture.

Art Deco: A Style of Elegance

Art Deco is one of the most celebrated artistic movements of the 20th century, blending tradition with innovation. Defined by its rich colors, bold geometric forms, and lavish ornamentation, Art Deco emerged…
Mexico City Side Street

In the late 1970s many arterial roads were redesigned as ejes viales; high-volume one-way roads that cross, in theory, Mexico City proper from side to side. The eje vial network is based…
Biography: Alphonse Osbert

Alphonse Osbert, a distinguished French Symbolist painter, was born on May 5, 1857, in Bordeaux, France. Throughout his artistic career, Osbert played a significant role in the Symbolist movement, contributing works that…
Swan on the Vltava

The Vltava river is 430.3 kilometres (267.4 mi) long. It drains an area 28,090 square kilometres (10,850 sq mi) in size. This includes over half of Bohemia and a third of the Czech Republic’s territory. …
Biography: Tom Roberts

Tom Roberts, a seminal figure in Australian art history, was born on March 9, 1856, in Dorchester, Dorset, England. Recognized as one of the leading artists of the Heidelberg School, Roberts played…
El Escorial: Spain’s Historical and Architectural Gem in Madrid

Nestled in the foothills of the Sierra de Guadarrama near Madrid, Spain, El Escorial stands as one of the country’s most significant historical landmarks. Officially known as the Royal Site of San…
The Strange Secrets of 10 Iconic Oil Paint Colors

Have you ever wondered about the stories behind the colors that grace famous paintings? Each hue tells a tale of discovery, adventure, and sometimes, a bit of mystery. From the depths of…
Biography: Herbert James Draper

Herbert James Draper (1863-1920) was a British artist known for his skillful and highly detailed paintings, particularly those featuring mythological and historical subjects. He was associated with the late 19th and early…
Cuzco School: Colonial Art of the Andes Reimagined

The Cuzco School, also known as the Escuela Cuzqueña, represents a singular chapter in the history of art—a cultural fusion where Spanish Catholicism met Andean tradition in the highlands of Peru. Emerging…
Inspiration: “Recling Nude,” by Luis Ricardo Falero

Falero was born in Granada and originally pursued a career in the Spanish Navy, but gave it up to his parents’ disappointment. He walked all the way to Paris, where he studied…
Biography: Laurits Tuxen

Laurits Tuxen, a Danish painter born on December 9, 1853, in Copenhagen, emerged as a prominent figure in the Scandinavian art scene during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His artistic…
Rooftops of Florence

The rooftops of Florence, Italy, offer a captivating panorama that reflects the city’s rich history, architectural splendor, and cultural heritage. As one gazes upon the sea of terracotta tiles and the architectural…