Magda Michalska

Magda, art historian and Italianist, she writes about art because she cannot make it herself. She loves committed and political artists like Ai Weiwei or the Futurists; like Joseph Beuys she believes that art can change us and we can change the world.

Stories By Magda Michalska

History

Guns, Fire and Blood: Paintings For Our Uncertain Times
By Magda MichalskaJuly 18, 2016
Art and politics have always been closely interrelated. Artists documented the events or narrated them, often manipulating the truth. Art is full of propaganda, protest and revolution. In the times of political turmoil all over the...
Bodies And Erotic Art

David Sculptures: Bumcheeks, Hats and Other Fetishes of Florentine Artists
By Magda MichalskaJuly 16, 2016
Sculpturers from Florence loved the biblical story about David, an adolescent boy who would win a duel by killing a giant Goliath using just a sling. Why? Did they just love to mould young boys’ shapes, however dirty it...
Food

Come Dine With Art History: See What It Has Cooked For You
By Magda MichalskaJuly 14, 2016
Socrates said that we eat to live, not live to eat (although his wife must have thought differently since according to the legend she was terribly fat). Well, even if ‘be, or not to be’ can...
Nature

5 Gardens That Would Make Every Greenfingered Gardener Envious
By Magda MichalskaJuly 12, 2016
Doesn’t matter if you have a garden, a balcony, a terrace, or just a window sill on which you keep a small cactus. These gardens are like nothing you’ve seen before. Prepare for a thrust of...
Seasons

When The Days Get Too Sunny…
By Magda MichalskaJuly 9, 2016
… it’s time for the umbrellas! Check out these 5 beautiful pieces of art that feature rain (and umbrellas occasionally). 1. Gustave Caillebotte, Paris Street, Rainy Day, 1877 This is probably the most famous work of . He...
Bodies And Erotic Art

8 Paintings That Will Make You Feel Better About Your Body
By Magda MichalskaJuly 9, 2016
If you happen to feel negative about your body size, your weight or your shape from time to time (or at all times, like me), have a look at these paintings. They will hopefully show you...
Just Weird

Can You Spot A Rubber Duck? Bathing In Art History
By Magda MichalskaJuly 8, 2016
Even before rubber ducks were invented, people had loved bathing. And they loved to peep at others bathe. Nothing’s changed, soap operas are still in fashion 😉 1. Paul Cezanne, The Large Bathers worked on this painting for 7...
Special Occasion And News

Daddy, Daddy Cool… Check Out The Cool And The Less-Cool Daddies From Art!
By Magda MichalskaJuly 5, 2016
father was a wealthy lawyer and banker and he, unimpressed with his son’s intention to become a painter, strongly encouraged Paul to go into business. Paul’s eventual rejection of his authoritative father led to a problematic...
Ancient Greece

10 Things That Could Happen To You Only If You Were A Greek God/Goddess
By Magda MichalskaJuly 5, 2016
If you ever feel down and think that your life is just a series of misfortunes, have a look on this list. It’s not all roses to be a Greek god… 1. Prometheus You would be...
Seasons

Top 7 Summer Destinations (From Art)
By Magda MichalskaJune 30, 2016
Are you still undecided of where to go on vacation this summer? Check out the favourite retreats of the artists and find a place for yourself: 1. Do you like to casually stroll in parks and forests?...