Latest Stories

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

  • Stockholm: The History of its Art

    Stockholm: The History of its Art

    Stockholm began as a fortified hinge between Baltic commerce and Scandinavian kingdoms—an outpost of stone and faith rising from waterlogged soil. Long before it became Sweden’s political capital, the city grew as…

  • Biography: Frank Weston Benson

    Biography: Frank Weston Benson

    Frank Weston Benson, born on March 24, 1862, in Salem, Massachusetts, emerged as one of the most revered American Impressionist painters, known for his luminous outdoor scenes, elegant portraits, and vibrant depictions…

  • Biography: Federico Zandomeneghi

    Biography: Federico Zandomeneghi

    Federico Zandomeneghi (1841–1917) was an Italian painter known for his association with the French Impressionist movement and his depictions of contemporary life, particularly scenes of Parisian society. He was born on June…

  • Inspiration: “Jeune Fille Sous la Pluie,” by Evariste Carpentier

    Inspiration: “Jeune Fille Sous la Pluie,” by Evariste Carpentier

    Évariste Carpentier, (1845 in Kuurne – 1922 in Liège), was a Belgian painter of genre scenes and animated landscapes. Over the years, his painting evolved from academic art to impressionism.  He is, alongside Emile Claus, one of the earliest representatives of luminism in Belgium. Evariste Carpentier was a pupil at the Antwerp Academy. He lived in Paris from 1879 till 1886. The talent and personality of the artist never ceased to develop.  Changing Direction After having painted religious subjects and a large number of Vendée scenes, he sought in rustic life and the open air those choice subjects which can only be tackled by artists who have the talent to take on the difficulty of painting the human figure in bright sunshine, in the green countryside, and beneath the ever beautiful, harmonious Flemish sky.  Carpentier taught at the Liège Academy and was its director until his death. His “Mrs. Roland at Sainte-Pélagie” was exhibited at the Paris Salon of 1886 and his “Farniente, Souvenir of Flanders” at the Salon of 1887. Source: Wikipedia.

  • Biography: Arthur Hacker

    Biography: Arthur Hacker

    Arthur Hacker was a British painter who lived from 1858 to 1919. He was known for his contributions to the Victorian and Edwardian art scenes in the United Kingdom. Hacker’s work primarily…

  • Rahway River, New Jersey

    The Rahway River rises in Essex County as two separate branches. The West Branch begins at spring-fed Crystal Lake in West Orange and flows south through the South Mountain Reservation in the valley between first and second ridges…

  • Biography: Umberto Boccioni

    Biography: Umberto Boccioni

    Umberto Boccioni, born on October 19, 1882, in Reggio Calabria, Italy, was a pivotal figure in the development of modern art, particularly as a leading exponent of the Futurist movement. His work…

  • Biography: Oskar Kokoschka

    Biography: Oskar Kokoschka

    Oskar Kokoschka (1886-1980) was an Austrian painter, printmaker, and playwright known for his expressionist works, including portraits and landscapes. Here’s a brief biography of his life: Early Life: Artistic Beginnings: Expressionist Style:…

  • Graffiti: Urban Decay or Urban Expression?

    Graffiti: Urban Decay or Urban Expression?

    Graffiti-covered walls are a common sight in many bustling cities. You’ve probably seen them yourself, vibrant and chaotic, breathing life into otherwise drab urban landscapes. But is this street art a sign…

  • Biography: Antonio Canova

    Biography: Antonio Canova

    Antonio Canova, born on November 1, 1757, in Possagno, Republic of Venice, is celebrated as one of the greatest sculptors of the Neoclassical era. His work, renowned for its beauty and grace,…