1899: The Year in Art
In the final year of the 19th century, the world of art vibrated with anticipation, contradiction, and unease. There was no singular movement, manifesto, or dominant school in 1899—only a gathering sense…
Latest Stories
Our growing archive of info about art, design, and culture.
Biography: Charles Rennie Mackintosh
Charles Rennie Mackintosh, a Scottish architect, designer, and artist, was born on June 7, 1868, in Glasgow, Scotland. Mackintosh’s innovative and visionary approach to design would come to define the Glasgow Style…
Biography: Edmund C. Tarbell
Edmund Charles Tarbell was an influential American Impressionist painter born on April 26, 1862, in West Groton, Massachusetts. His artistic journey traversed the realms of academia and the avant-garde, leaving an indelible…
NFTs in Art: Revolution or Passing Fad?
Picture this: a digital artwork sells for $69 million, setting the art world ablaze. Beeple’s “Everydays: The First 5000 Days” not only made headlines but also catapulted NFTs into mainstream conversation. This…
Inspiration: “Carrinho de Criança,” by Eliseu Visconti
Decorative schemes executed for the Biblioteca Nacional in (Rio de Janeiro) date from this period as does another gold medal he received at the International Exhibition of Saint-Louis (Louisiana Purchase Exposition), in 1904, for…
Ghent: The History of its Art
The origins of Ghent’s artistic story begin long before the first churches rose above the Scheldt. They lie in damp riverbank clearings, in burial mounds on low ridges, and in the worked…
Biography: Agnes Slott-Møller
Agnes Slott-Møller, born on November 10, 1862, in Copenhagen, Denmark, was an artist whose work stands as a testament to the profound cultural and historical revival of her time. As a figure…
The ‘Screaming Mummies’ of Guanajuato as Art
The discovery of the ‘Screaming Mummies’ in Guanajuato dates back to the mid-19th century during one of Mexico’s most harrowing epidemics. The cholera outbreak of 1833 led to mass burials, as victims…
Book Review: “Annie Leibovitz: Portraits 2005–2016,” by Annie Leibovitz
Annie Leibovitz: Portraits 2005–2016, published by Phaidon in 2017, is a monumental volume that captures more than a decade of portraiture from one of the most iconic and influential photographers of our…
Love Story: Juan Gris and Josette Gris
Juan Gris, born José Victoriano González-Pérez, was a Spanish painter and sculptor who played a crucial role in the Cubist movement. His works are characterized by their clarity and use of geometric…
The Clash Between Commercial and Non-Profit Art Spaces
Imagine walking into a sleek, modern gallery, where the walls are pristine, the lighting is perfect, and the air carries a subtle scent of sophistication. Now, contrast this with stepping into a…
