Love Story: Paul Klee and Lily Stumpf
Art history often focuses on the works of famous artists, but what about the people who supported them behind the scenes? In the case of Paul Klee, one of the most influential…
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Our growing archive of info about art, design, and culture.
Biography: Hans Makart
Hans Makart (1840–1884) was an Austrian academic history painter and decorator, known for his elaborate and flamboyant style. He played a significant role in the Viennese art scene during the late 19th…
Nebraska: The History of its Art
The story of Nebraska’s art begins long before it was called Nebraska—before homesteads, railroads, or counties divided the land into grids. It begins with the cultures who lived here for centuries, whose…
Accademia di Belle Arti di Venezia: Legacy of Venetian Art
In the mid-18th century, Venice found itself at a crossroads. Once a maritime and cultural superpower, the Venetian Republic was beginning to feel the pressure of European political shifts. However, the city’s…
Art as Propaganda: A Tool for Manipulation?
Art is beautiful and powerful, capturing the depths of human emotion and imagination. However, its beauty can also be used for less noble purposes. Throughout history, art has been a tool for…
The Art Bog’s Hall of Fame: Class of 2006
Welcome back to the most anticipated event in our calendar, the grand unveiling of this year’s entrants into The Art Bog Hall of Fame! Every year since 2003, we’ve embarked on the…
Inspiration: “Alice,” by Amedeo Modigliani
Alice is a c.1918 oil on canvas painting by Amedeo Modigliani. It now hangs in the Danish National Gallery, to which it was donated in 1928. Amedeo Clemente Modigliani was an Italian Jewish painter and sculptor who worked mainly in France.…
Sinister Rituals of the Thuggee Cult: Unveiling Fear in Art and Media
When it comes to historical villains, few have sparked as much fear and fascination as the Thuggee cult. This underground society of criminals, whose name gave rise to the word “thug,” is…
Biography: William Russell Flint
Sir William Russell Flint (1880–1969) was a Scottish artist known for his watercolor paintings, illustrations, and etchings. He was particularly renowned for his depictions of elegant and sensuous female figures, often set…
Inspiration: “La Chevelure Blonde,” by Félix Vallotton
Vallotton was born into a conservative middle-class family in Lausanne, the third of four children. His father owned a pharmacy, and later purchased a chocolate factory. His mother, Emma, was the daughter of…
The Lyon Massacre in Art: Revolutionary Violence Remembered
The Lyon Massacre was one of the bloodiest episodes of the French Revolution, taking place between August 1793 and early 1794. During this period, the city of Lyon—France’s second-largest city and a…
Inspiration: “Nainen Savuke Kadessa” by Albert Edelfelt
Albert Edelfelt’s “Nainen Savuke Kädessä” (Woman with a Cigarette) is a fascinating piece that delves into the realms of cultural norms, gender roles, and artistic innovation at the turn of the 20th…
