Alexandra Kiely

Alexandra believes that enjoying the art of the past is the closest she can get to time travel, only much safer. When she's not being an art historian, she can usually be found ice skating and dancing. Visit her at ascholarlyskater.com.

Stories By Alexandra Kiely

19th Century

Six of the World’s Most Famous Art Academies
By Alexandra KielySeptember 4, 2020
Have you ever wondered where the world’s most famous artists went to school? Many studied at one (or more) of these six art academies. The schools on this list have trained the most famous painters, sculptors,...
Art History 101

Contrapposto 101 – It’s All in the Pose
By Alexandra KielyAugust 31, 2020
If you are taking an introductory art history course in school this semester, you’ll soon be talking a lot about contrapposto. I remember hearing this term constantly when I was a freshman art history student. (Good...
Art History 101

The Italian Renaissance: A Brief Guide
By Alexandra KielyAugust 22, 2020
To the general public, the Italian Renaissance is the pinnacle of art history. More than five hundred years on, it’s still the subject of blockbuster exhibitions and record auction prices all over the world. Many people...
19th Century

Beyond Madame X: Portraits by John Singer Sargent
By Alexandra KielyAugust 11, 2020
John Singer Sargent is one of art history’s most famous portrait painters. He was born in Italy to American parents and received his formal artistic training in Paris, where he quickly became successful at the all-important...
Animals

Painting of the Week: The Obsequies of an Egyptian Cat by John Weguelin
By Alexandra KielyAugust 9, 2020
Here is a Painting of the Week to honor our recent cat theme. The Obsequies of an Egyptian Cat presents an imaginative interpretation of an ancient Egyptian cat burial. Ancient Egypt and Cats Many people are...
featured

Louisine Havemeyer and Her Modern Art Collection
By Alexandra KielyJuly 28, 2020
A great, pioneering art collector, Louisine Havemeyer (1855-1929), was the first American to patronize the French Impressionists. Together with her husband Harry, Louisine created a massive collection that included all kind of world-class artworks. Louisine Havemeyer...
featured

Hagia Sophia Becomes a Mosque – What You Need to Know
By Alexandra KielyJuly 23, 2020
According to recent news, the President of Turkey has converted Istanbul’s famous Hagia Sophia back into a mosque. His decision is highly controversial, given Hagia Sophia’s reputation as a major monument of human history. Here is...
dailyart

Masterpieces from the Frick Collection
By Alexandra KielyJuly 12, 2020
The Frick Collection in New York is one of my favorite art museums! In honor of DailyArt Magazine’s July 2020 collaboration with this illustrious institution, enjoy ten of its most celebrated masterpieces. The Flagellation of Christ...
featured

Angelica Kauffman – Paintings by the Queen of Neoclassical Art
By Alexandra KielyJuly 4, 2020
Swiss artist Angelica Kauffman (1741-1807) was one of the greats amongst the Neoclassical artists. Through her portraits and history paintings, she became one of the most successful artists of 18th-century Europe. Now is a good time...
19th Century

Around the World With a Painter: Frederic Edwin Church’s Travels
By Alexandra KielyJune 25, 2020
Hudson River School painter Frederic Edwin Church (1826-1900) was a true world traveler. In his lifetime, Church visited the Arctic, Mexico, South America, the Caribbean, Europe, and the Middle East. He painted gorgeous landscape scenes based...