Javier is a journalist and cultural manager with a passion for art and its history. In his free time he loves reading and researching the lives of artists and their works. He loves everything related to the Middle Ages, the Italian Renaissance and the mysteries behind lost works of art.
Beyond the Cherubs: The Story Behind The Sistine Madonna
We’ve seen them on postcards, gift wrap, T-shirts, coffee mugs, and even tattoos. With their serene expressions and relaxed posture, Raphael’s...
Javier Abel Miguel 22 May 2025
The Degenerate Art Exhibition: How the Nazis Tried to Destroy Modern Art
In 1937, the Nazi regime organized an exhibition in Munich that marked one of the darkest chapters in art history: the Entartete Kunst (Degenerate...
Javier Abel Miguel 8 May 2025
Bruno Lohse—Art Dealer of the Third Reich
In 2007, the Zurich prosecutor’s office opened vault number 5 of the Zürcher Kantonalbank. But something felt off; the vault was huge, more like a...
Javier Abel Miguel 28 April 2025
Leonardo da Vinci—A Renaissance Comedian
Leonardo da Vinci, prototype of the Renaissance man, is renowned for masterpieces such as the Mona Lisa, The Last Supper, and the Vitruvian...
Javier Abel Miguel 15 April 2025
Bizarre Selfies of Joseph Ducreux—The Meme Lord
You’ve probably seen a painting of a dapper gentleman in a powdered wig, pointing at you with a knowing expression—perhaps even offering some...
Javier Abel Miguel 13 March 2025
How the Courtaulds Built London’s Greatest Impressionist Collection
In January 1889, after a heated argument with his friend Paul Gauguin that led him to cut off part of his left ear, Vincent van Gogh painted one of...
Javier Abel Miguel 6 February 2025
Winter Through Pieter Bruegel’s Eyes
Nature is ever-present in Pieter Bruegel the Elder’s work. As seasons change, the painter captures nature’s subtle details. Among them,...
Javier Abel Miguel 13 January 2025
The Artist Schindler’s List: How Varian Fry Rescued Artists from Burning Europe
At the outbreak of World War II, Varian Fry, a US journalist, volunteered to travel to Marseille to assist in the repatriation of Europe’s...
Javier Abel Miguel 18 December 2024
QUIZ: How Much Do You Know About Degenerate Art?
Javier Abel Miguel 16 November 2024
Heroes, Martyrs, and Propaganda: Jacques-Louis David Painting the French Revolution
Jacques-Louis David is widely known for his historical-themed works and as the foremost painter of the Neoclassical style. However, his influence...
Javier Abel Miguel 11 July 2024
