Why Painters Used Egg Tempera Before Oil Paints Took Over
Egg tempera is one of the oldest known painting mediums, stretching back thousands of years to ancient Egypt. Artists would grind mineral pigments and mix them with egg yolk to create a…
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Our growing archive of info about art, design, and culture.
The Enigma of the Voynich Manuscript
The Voynich Manuscript stands as one of history’s most tantalizing puzzles. Written in an unknown language and illustrated with strange, otherworldly drawings, it has defied all efforts at translation and explanation. Since…
“The Moderns: Midcentury American Graphic Design” by Steven Heller and Greg D’Onofrio
The Moderns: Midcentury American Graphic Design is a compelling tribute to a transformative era in American design history. Authored by Steven Heller, a prolific design critic, and Greg D’Onofrio, an educator and…
The Dollhouse as Art
At first glance, a dollhouse might seem like a child’s toy—an object of play, imagination, and nostalgia. But look closer, and you’ll find something far more complex. The dollhouse is a meticulously…
Biography: Vlaho Bukovac
Vlaho Bukovac was born on July 4, 1855, in the small seaside town of Cavtat, part of Dalmatia under the Austrian Empire at the time. His birth name was Biagio Faggioni, reflecting…
Inspiration: “Portrait of a Man” by Signorelli
Luca Signorelli, born around 1445 in the Tuscan town of Cortona, was one of the most inventive and skilled painters of the Italian Renaissance. He trained under the great Piero della Francesca,…
Architectural Holocaust: The Global War on Christian Churches
In recent decades, a disturbing and deliberate trend has emerged: the arson and destruction of Christian churches. While vandalism and property crimes have always existed, the spike in targeted acts of violence…
Cueva de las Manos : Argentina’s Prehistoric Hand Art
In the heart of Argentine Patagonia lies a breathtaking testament to early human creativity—Cueva de las Manos, or “Cave of the Hands.” This ancient site is world-renowned for its striking hand stencils,…
The History of Swedish Art
Sweden is often imagined from the outside as quiet and composed, its cultural exports defined by cool minimalism, functional design, and emotionally restrained pop. It’s a nation associated more with serenity than…
The Hidden Faces in Da Vinci’s “The Last Supper”
Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper stands among the most iconic images in Western art. Painted between 1495 and 1498 on the wall of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in…
The Art of the Amish: Tradition and Simplicity
At first glance, Amish art might seem like an odd pairing. After all, this devout Christian community is known for its strict avoidance of worldly indulgence, including expressive or decorative frills. Yet,…
Academy of Fine Arts Munich: Germany’s Artistic Beacon
The Academy of Fine Arts Munich was founded in 1808 by King Maximilian I of Bavaria. His vision was to establish a formal institution that would elevate the artistic capabilities of the…
