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

Biography: William Merritt Chase

William Merritt Chase (November 1, 1849 – October 25, 1916) was an influential American painter known for his contributions to Impressionism and his role in shaping American art education. Here’s an overview…
The Rise of Art Therapy: Panacea or Placebo? Here’s What You Need to Know

In recent years, art therapy has seen a surge in popularity. Many people are turning to this form of creative expression as a means of dealing with emotional and mental health challenges.…
Biography: Bertha Wegmann

Bertha Wegmann, a Danish portrait painter, was born on October 17, 1847, in Sognekirke, Denmark. Renowned for her skillful and insightful portraiture, Wegmann achieved acclaim during the late 19th and early 20th…
Biography: Angelo Morbelli

Angelo Morbelli, an Italian painter of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, left an indelible mark on the art world through his mastery of social realism. Born on August 16, 1853,…
Inspiration: “Female Model in a Studio,” by Oscar Björck

Born in Stockholm, from 1877 to 1882, Björck was a student of Edvard Perséus at the Academy where his paintings included Loke fängslas af asarne (Loki imprisoned by Æsir) (1880), Gustaf Vasa…
Colorado: The History of its Art

The earliest art in Colorado was not made for galleries or collectors. It was carved into the bones of the land itself—etched, pecked, and painted into sandstone cliffs, canyon walls, and high…
Sacred Stones: The Architecture of Athens’ Acropolis

Perched high above the heart of Athens, the Acropolis stands as one of the most iconic architectural and cultural landmarks in the Western world. Its name, derived from the Greek “akron” (highest…
Inspiration: “Jaune Femme au Foulard Jaune,” by Félix Vallotton

In 1887 Vallotton presented two portraits at the Salon, the Portrait de Félix Jasinski and Les Parents de l’artiste, which demonstrated his skill but also, by their extreme realism, departed from the traditions of portrait…
Inspiration: “Priestess Of Delphi,” by John Collier

PRIESTESS OF DELPHIJohn Collier27 January 1850 – 11 April 19341891 The Delphic oracle may have been present in some form from 1400 BC, in the middle period of Mycenaean Greece (1600–1100 BC). There is evidence that Apollo…
Chillingham Castle and Its Gothic Legacy

Chillingham Castle stands as one of England’s most foreboding and well-preserved medieval castles. Located in Northumberland, near the Scottish border, it was initially constructed as a monastery in the late 1100s before…
Inspiration: “The Painter’s Studio,” By Janis Rozentals

In the history of Latvian art, few names shine as brightly as Janis Rozentals. A central figure in the art scene of his time, Rozentals’ blend of Symbolism, Impressionism, and Art Nouveau…
Biography: Federico Andreotti

Born on March 6, 1847, in Florence, Italy, Federico Andreotti emerged as a prominent figure in the realm of 19th-century Italian art. His life unfolded against the backdrop of a transformative period…