Alexandra Kiely

Author

Alexandra believes that enjoying the art of the past is the closest she can get to time travel, only much safer. Visit her at A Scholarly Skater.

Articles by Alexandra

Masterpiece Stories

Masterpiece Story: Ocean Breezes by Edward Henry Potthast

This seems to be the perfect painting depicting a nice memory of a summer vacation. It is titled Ocean Breezes and was painted by Edward Henry...

Alexandra Kiely 8 June 2025

Animals

Owls, Peacocks and Sparrows: Birds in Art

The idea of birds in art probably brings to mind John James Audubon, the 19th-century ornithologist who wrote and illustrated the landmark series The...

Alexandra Kiely 5 June 2025

Art State of Mind

5 Ways to Teach Kids about Art

Since it’s never too early to cultivate a lifelong appreciation for art, introducing children to the world of painting, sculpture, and design can...

Alexandra Kiely, Szymon Jocek 30 May 2025

North American Art

Florence Griswold: Patron Saint of American Impressionism

Florence Griswold wasn’t an artist or even an art collector, but she was a key figure in American Impressionism. The New York Times even called her...

Alexandra Kiely 28 May 2025

Female Art Patrons: Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney by Robert Henri Art State of Mind

Five Great Female Art Patrons in History

It’s high time to celebrate the many women who have made their mark on art history. Here, we’ll meet five female art patrons with impeccable...

Alexandra Kiely 28 May 2025

Louisine Havemeyer Mary Cassatt Impressionism

Louisine Havemeyer and Her Modern Art Collection

A great pioneering art collector, Louisine Havemeyer (1855–1929), was the first American to patronize the French Impressionists. Together with her...

Alexandra Kiely 28 May 2025

Masterpiece Stories

Masterpiece Story: Cornelia, Mother of the Gracchi by Angelica Kauffman

Cornelia, Mother of the Gracchi by Angelica Kauffman shows a pretty Roman woman and her three children. But it’s much more than that. It has an...

Alexandra Kiely 11 May 2025

Medieval Art

Ravenna’s Byzantine Treasures: Mosaics in San Vitale

The early medieval church of San Vitale in Ravenna, Italy, is most famous for its spectacular mosaics. In a city full of rich, Byzantine-style...

Alexandra Kiely 2 May 2025

Animals

5 Fun Facts About Gargoyles—Quirky Creatures of the Middle Ages and Beyond

Everybody loves gargoyles! I used to think I was alone in this, but I’ve come to learn that’s not at all true. In case any of you don’t know, a...

Alexandra Kiely 2 May 2025

Masterpiece Stories

Masterpiece Story: The Merode Altarpiece by Robert Campin

The Merode Altarpiece is one of the most famous works by Robert Campin and his workshop. It serves as a link between the medieval tradition and...

Alexandra Kiely 27 April 2025