Biography: Gunnar Berndtson
Gunnar Fredrik Berndtson (1854–1895) was one of the most technically gifted painters to emerge from Finland in the 19th century, yet his name is often missing from popular surveys of Nordic art.…
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Our growing archive of info about art, design, and culture.
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The Story of the Zbruch Idol
In 1848, during a period of unusual drought, a limestone statue was pulled from the shallow waters of the Zbruch River near the village of Lychkivtsi, in what is now western Ukraine.…
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Mastery in Timber: Late Gothic Woodcarving in Germany
The Late Gothic period in Germany, spanning roughly from 1450 to 1530, marked a time of profound creativity, technical innovation, and spiritual intensity in the arts—particularly in woodcarving. During this time, woodcarvers…
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The Hidden Symbolism in Dutch Still Life Paintings
During the 17th century, the Dutch Republic flourished economically, culturally, and scientifically. Amid this prosperity, a distinct style of painting emerged — Dutch still life — which focused on objects carefully arranged…
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Inspiration: “The Death of Marat,” by Jacques-Louis David
In the heat of the French Revolution, few figures were more artistically and politically intertwined than Jacques-Louis David. Born in Paris in 1748, David became France’s leading Neoclassical painter. His early works,…
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Poppets in Folk Magic: Cursed Dolls and Witchcraft
The use of dolls as magical instruments traces back to the ancient civilizations of the Mediterranean. In Greece and Rome, small human-shaped figures made of wax, clay, or lead were commonly used…
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Inspiration: “Self-Portrait in Front of The Easel,” by Lovis Corinth
Lovis Corinth was born on July 21, 1858, in Tapiau, East Prussia—now Gvardeysk, Russia. His birth name was Franz Heinrich Louis Corinth, but he later adopted “Lovis” as a more distinctive artistic…
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Roman Military Barracks Wall Paintings: Art & Life
The Roman Empire is rightly known for its military might, precision, and discipline. But inside the utilitarian stone and timber barracks of its soldiers, something else survived—art. Wall paintings found in Roman…
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Warehouses or Wonders: Stadium Design in the 21st Century
Walk up to a modern stadium today and you might hesitate for a moment, asking yourself: am I at the home of a major sports team, or is this a sprawling office…
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École nationale supérieure des arts décoratifs: France’s Design Powerhouse
From its royal beginnings in the 18th century to its status today as one of France’s most prestigious design schools, the École nationale supérieure des arts décoratifs (ENSAD) has played a major…
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Texas: The History of its Art
The oldest known artworks in Texas are not in museums or private collections. They are etched and painted into the land itself—hidden in canyons, under ledges, and across the sun-bleached walls of…
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Osaka: The History of its Art
The story of Osaka’s art begins long before the city bore that name, in a landscape of tidal flats, river mouths, and wooded hills where early communities left traces of their daily…
