House Wine, Near Anafiotika, Athens
Waiting for lunch on a very hot June day. The house wine kept me company. In 1922, Greek refugees from Asia Minor also established in Anafiotika, altering the population that was up…
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The Alps: The History of its Art
Stretching across eight countries and forming the backbone of central Europe, the Alps are more than a geographic feature—they are a civilization-shaping force. For thousands of years, these mountains have stood not…
Searching for the Church of St. Mary of the Spring
The Monastery of the Mother of God at the Spring or simply Zoödochos Pege is an Eastern Orthodox sanctuary in Istanbul, Turkey. The present church, built in 1835, bears the same dedication…
Cat in Anafiotika, Athens
Anafiotika (Greek: Αναφιώτικα pronounced is a scenic tiny neighborhood of Athens, part of the old historical neighborhood called Plaka. It lies in northerneast side of the Acropolis hill. The first houses were built in the era of Otto of…
A Dark Walk — Istanbul’s Basilica Cistern
The Basilica Cistern, is the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city of Istanbul (formerly Constantinople), Turkey. The cistern, located 490 ft southwest of the Hagia Sophia on…
The Hidden Risks of Buying Art for Investment
Art often appears to be an attractive investment because high-profile sales dominate headlines. When a painting by a major artist sells for millions, it creates the impression that art is a reliable…
Biography: Joseph Christian Leyendecker
Joseph Christian Leyendecker (1874-1951) was a preeminent American illustrator whose work defined the visual culture of the early 20th century. Born on March 23, 1874, in Montabaur, Germany, Leyendecker immigrated with his…
Roman Agora, Athens, Greece
The original Agora was encroached upon and obstructed by a series of Roman buildings, beginning with the imperial family’s gift to the Athenians of a large odeion (concert hall). The Odeon of…
Biography: Valentin Serov
Valentin Aleksandrovich Serov (1865-1911) was a prominent Russian painter and one of the leading portrait artists of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is celebrated for his ability to capture…
Portugal: The History of its Art
The story of Portuguese art begins long before there was a Portugal to name it—etched into megaliths, patterned into mosaics, and hidden in the ruins of forgotten towns where Atlantic winds now…
Biography: Ilya Efimovich Repin
Ilya Efimovich Repin (1844–1930) was a towering figure in Russian art, whose work left a profound impact on the portrayal of Russian society, history, and personality. Born in Chuguyev, in the Kharkov…
Art Schools: Factories of Creativity or Elitism?
Art schools occupy a unique place in the cultural landscape, acting as both incubators of creativity and potential gatekeepers to the art world. These institutions promise to nurture budding talent and equip…
