Maya M. Tola
Author
Maya Tola is a Dallas-based attorney, with a zest for art history. A time traveler at heart, Maya often finds herself consumed in the contemplation of life in antiquity. She has been sharing her infectious enthusiasm for art and history since 2018 through her posts and articles for the DailyArt App and DailyArt Magazine. When she's not working or writing, you'll find Maya obsessing over plants, animals, and food (in no particular order).
Why Ancient Cultures Valued Jade More Than Gold
Jade is a highly prized ornamental stone that encompasses two distinct minerals: nephrite and jadeite. Throughout antiquity, it was fashioned into...
Maya M. Tola 5 October 2026
Masterpiece Story: The Pineapple Picture
Known as the “pineapple picture,” this enigmatic 17th-century painting captures the royal reception of King Charles II. The British royal...
Maya M. Tola 1 October 2026
Masterpiece Story: An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump by Joseph Wright of Derby
An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump is not only a masterpiece from the Age of Enlightenment but also a monumental artistic achievement of Joseph...
Maya M. Tola 28 September 2026
Drama on Canvas: 5 Dramatic Scenes in Painting
Although the performing arts may be the more popular avenue for conveying drama, the visual arts can be equally powerful in expressing dramatic...
Maya M. Tola 28 September 2026
Ajanta Caves—How a Tiger Hunt Led to One of India’s Greatest Art Treasures
Carved into a nearly 250-foot-wide (75 m) cliff in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra, India, the Ajanta Caves are renowned as among the finest...
Maya M. Tola 24 September 2026
Art of Opulence: Paintings of Exquisite Interiors
The notion of painting natural landscapes has been prevalent since ancient times. It is an obvious choice, of course. What can compare with the...
Maya M. Tola 23 September 2026
These 1,000-Year-Old Indian Bronzes Were Made to Move
The bronze sculptures of the Chola period are among the most refined and enduring achievements of Indian statuary. Created between the 9th and 13th...
Maya M. Tola 17 September 2026
Cathedral to Nature: The Natural History Museum in London
Looming over South Kensington like a grand cathedral or a royal residence, the Natural History Museum in London honors science and human curiosity...
Maya M. Tola 17 September 2026
All That Glitters: The Gold Jewelry of the Etruscans
The elusive Etruscans left behind a rich legacy of gold craftsmanship that was among the most advanced in the ancient Mediterranean world. While the...
Maya M. Tola 16 September 2026
All The Glitters: Gold of Nubia
The ancient African civilization of Nubia thrived along the banks of the Nile, encompassing present-day Sudan and southern Egypt. Nubia gained renown...
Maya M. Tola 16 September 2026
