Latest Stories

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

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…
Inspiration: “Lamia,” by John William Waterhouse

Lamia was a woman who became a child-eating monster after her children were destroyed by Hera, who learned of her husband Zeus‘ trysts with her. Hera also afflicted Lamia with sleeplessness so…
Inspiration: “Japanese Dolls and Fan,” by Paul Peel

Peel was born in London, Ontario, and received his art training from his father from a young age. Later he studied under William Lees Judson and at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts under Thomas Eakins. He…
Art and Spirituality: A Sacred Connection?

Art and spirituality have danced together since the dawn of human civilization. From the earliest cave paintings to the majestic cathedrals of Europe, art has been a conduit for expressing the deepest…
Biography: James Tissot

James Tissot, a prominent French painter and illustrator of the 19th century, left an indelible mark on the art world with his distinctive style and diverse body of work. Born on October…
Book Review: Designing Magazines, Edited by Jandos Rothstein

Jandos Rothstein’s Designing Magazines is a comprehensive guide to the visual and editorial design of magazines. Published in 2007, this book provides a detailed look at how typography, layout, imagery, and branding…
Biography: Gaetano Chierici

Gaetano Chierici was born on October 18, 1838, in Reggio Emilia, a city in the northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna. He grew up in a household where art and culture were part…