The Plight of Performance Artists in the Gig Economy
A saxophonist sets up in a bustling subway station, filling the air with jazz melodies that turn heads and warm hearts. Nearby, a street performer juggles flaming torches, their face a mask…
Latest Stories
Our growing archive of info about art, design, and culture.
The Role of Museums in Plundering Christian Burials
Have you ever walked through a museum and wondered about the origins of the ancient artifacts on display? Imagine standing in front of a glass case, staring at an intricately carved sarcophagus…
Biography: Jessie Willcox Smith
Jessie Willcox Smith (1863–1935), an American illustrator and painter, holds a revered place in the annals of American art, particularly for her significant contributions to the Golden Age of American illustration. Born…
The Strange Tale of the Green Children of Woolpit: Medieval Mystery Inspiring Art and Literature
In the quaint village of Woolpit, England, an extraordinary tale has echoed through the ages. This story, rich with mystery and intrigue, has captured the imaginations of countless generations. It’s the story…
The Renaissance: Not As Golden As We Think?
Art lovers and historians alike often view the Renaissance as a shining era of cultural rebirth, marked by unparalleled advancements in art, science, and human thought. This period, which spanned roughly from…
Dagestan: The History of its Art
The cliffs of Dagestan have held their silence for thousands of years, but the rocks themselves remember. On the high escarpments above the Caspian Sea, etched into sandstone and shale, are some…
Art in Times of Crisis: Exploitative or Essential?
In the quiet corridors of the Louvre, the Mona Lisa stared out at an empty room during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Museums worldwide had shuttered their doors, and galleries pivoted…
Biography: Jean-François Raffaëlli
Jean-François Raffaëlli (1850–1924), a French painter, printmaker, and sculptor, played a pivotal role in the late 19th-century French art scene, contributing to the evolving artistic movements of the time. Born on April…
Love Story: Norman Rockwell and Mary Barstow
When you think of Norman Rockwell, vivid images of Americana likely spring to mind: the small-town charm, the everyday heroes, the quintessential moments of mid-20th century American life. Yet, behind these iconic…
The History of Art in Rome
Before Rome was Rome, it was a land of shifting identities, ancient languages, and vibrant cultural exchanges. The story of Roman art doesn’t begin with marble busts or imperial forums—it begins with…
Art History of the Gold Coast, Australia: Architecture Art and Coastal Culture
Before the Gold Coast was all balconies and glass towers, it was something quieter: a humid stretch of bush and shoreline, its soft-edged contours barely marked on colonial maps. For decades, it…
18th Century Women Artists: the Forgotten Geniuses
The history of art has long been painted with a male-dominated brush. For centuries, many believed that the 18th century, in particular, was a time when women were sidelined, their talents hidden…
