Latest Stories

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

Inspiration: “La Nuda,” by Giacomo Grosso

After spending his childhood at Glaveno seminary, Giacomo Grosso enrolled at the Accademia Albertina in Turin in 1873, thanks to a scholarship he was awarded by Cambiano Town Council. He became a…
Inspiration: “O Beijo,” by Eliseu Visconti

In 1884, Eliseu Visconti entered the Liceu de Artes e Ofícios do Rio de Janeiro, where studied under Victor Meireles. Parallel to his studies in the Liceu, he entered the Academia Imperial…
Biography: Nicolae Tonitza

Nicolae Tonitza (1886–1940) was a Romanian painter, engraver, lithographer, and teacher, known for his contributions to Romanian art in the early 20th century. He was born on April 13, 1886, in Bârlad,…
Inspiration: “Parasol,” by Jules Bastien Lepage

Bastien-Lepage was born in the village of Damvillers, Meuse, and spent his childhood there. Bastien’s father grew grapes in a vineyard to support the family. His grandfather also lived in the village;…
Inspiration: “Den Yngste Sonnen Farvel,” by Adolph Tidemand

Adolph Tidemand was born in Mandal, Norway as the son of customs inspector and Storting representative Christen Tidemand (1779–1838) and Johanne Henriette Henrikke Haste (1779–1859). He received private art lessons in his home town and…
Biography: Frederick Law Olmsted

Frederick Law Olmsted, a visionary landscape architect and urban planner, was born on April 26, 1822, in Hartford, Connecticut. Raised in a prosperous family, Olmsted’s early life was marked by a variety…
Biography: Helene Schjerfbeck

Helene Schjerfbeck (1862–1946) was a Finnish painter known for her modernist and symbolist works, as well as her exceptional portraiture. She was born on July 10, 1862, in Helsinki, Grand Duchy of…
Inspiration: “La Reine Clothilde,” by Thomas Cooper Gotch

In Newlyn, he founded the Newlyn Industrial Classes, where the local youth could learn arts & crafts. He also helped to set up the Newlyn Art Gallery and served on its committee all his…
Biography: Nicolae Grigorescu

Nicolae Grigorescu (1838-1907) was a prominent Romanian painter and one of the most influential artists of the 19th century in Romania. He is celebrated for his contributions to both Romanian and European…
Inspiration: “The Little Peasant,” by Amedeo Modigliani

THE LITTLE PEASANTAmadeo Modigliani (1884–1920)1918ItalianOriginal Title: “Le Petit Paysan”Oil paint on canvasDimensions: Support: 1000 x 645 mm, frame: 1155 x 810 x 65 mmTate This is one of a small group of paintings of…
Biography: Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun

Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun, one of the most renowned portrait painters of the 18th century, was born on April 16, 1755, in Paris, France. Raised in an artistic family, her father,…
Biography: Olga Boznańska

Olga Boznańska (1865–1940) was a Polish painter known for her portraits and genre scenes. She was born on April 15, 1865, in Kraków, Poland, which was then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.…