Inspiration: “Boldini,” by James McNeill Whistler
Boldini was born in Ferrara, the son of a painter of religious subjects, and in 1862 went to Florence for six years to study and pursue painting. He only infrequently attended classes at the Academy…
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Biography: Alexandre Cabanel
Alexandre Cabanel (1823–1889) was a French academic painter known for his polished and meticulously executed historical, mythological, and allegorical paintings. He was a prominent figure in the 19th-century French academic art scene…
The Antipodean Movement: Australia Against Modernism
The Antipodean Movement was a bold artistic rebellion that shook the Australian art world in the late 1950s. At a time when modernism, particularly abstract expressionism, was dominating the international art scene,…
Seville: The History of its Art
Somewhere between myth and archaeology, the shadowy civilization of Tartessos shaped the first artistic pulse of what would one day become Seville. Ancient writers such as Herodotus and Strabo spoke of Tartessos…
Inspiration: “In The Orchard Spring,” by William Brymner
Born in Greenock, Scotland, the son of Douglas Brymner the first Dominion Archivist and Jean Thomson, he moved with his family to Melbourne, Canada East in 1857. In 1864, his family moved to Montreal, Canada East. They later lived in the area…
Inspiration: “Portrait of the Artist’s Son,” by Eero Järnefelt
He was the son of General Alexander Järnefelt and Baroness Elisabeth Järnefelt (née Clodt von Jürgensburg). Several of his eight siblings also became well-known: Kasper (a literary critic), Arvid (a judge and writer), Armas (a composer and conductor) and Aino (wife of Jean Sibelius). After graduating from…
Biography: Urs Graf
Urs Graf (c. 1485–1529) was a Swiss Renaissance artist and one of the most notable engravers of his time. Born in Solothurn, Switzerland, Graf gained recognition for his skillful and detailed woodcuts…
The Nazarene Movement – Reviving Medieval Spirituality
The Nazarene movement was an artistic and spiritual revival that emerged in the early 19th century, aiming to restore the purity, piety, and craftsmanship of medieval and early Renaissance art. Reacting against…
Ravens and Crows in Northern Myth and Medieval Imagery
Ravens and crows hold some of the deepest roots in northern European storytelling. In the old Norse world, the raven was tied closely to wisdom and far-sight. The most famous examples are…
Love Story: Henri Matisse and Amélie Noellie Parayre
Henri Matisse and Amélie Noellie Parayre shared a remarkable relationship that lasted over 40 years. Their marriage greatly influenced Matisse’s life and work, while Amélie’s unwavering support played a crucial role in…
Inspiration: “”Demasquee,” by Akseli Gallen-Kallela
Akseli Gallen-Kallela was born Axel Waldemar Gallén in Pori, Finland in a Swedish-speaking family. His father Peter Gallén worked as police chief and lawyer. Gallen-Kallela was raised in Tyrvää.[ At the age…
Love Story: Raphael and Margherita Luti
Raphael, one of the greatest artists of the Italian Renaissance, left an indelible mark on the art world. His full name was Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino. Born in 1483, he became known…
