European Art

Masterpiece Stories

Gustav Klimt’s Last Painting – Lady with Fan

Since its creation, at the end of Gustav Klimt’s life, Lady with Fan was controversial. The piece was shown to the public only three times, causing...

Giordana Goretti 6 February 2023

Erotica

The Victorians: An Unexpected World of Erotica and Pornography [18+]

The subject of erotica is vast. Even reduced to only the Victorian world of erotica, it’s a challenge to write about in the space of an article.

Sarah Mills 6 February 2023

Design

Soviet Space Art: Posters of Propaganda and Progress

Here is a small selection of our favorite Soviet space posters together with some tidbits about the beginnings of the Russian space...

Marta Wiktoria Bryll 4 February 2023

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, At the Moulin Rouge, The Dance, 1890, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, PA, USA. Masterpiece Stories

Masterpiece Story: At the Moulin Rouge, The Dance by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec

Tonight the Moulin Rouge is bursting at the seams. Men in dark coats and distinguished women dance and converse on the buzzing floor. Each has a...

Ruxi Rusu 3 February 2023

Masterpiece Stories

Masterpiece Story: The Lighthouse at Honfleur by Georges Seurat

The Lighthouse at Honfleur is a Pointilist painting by the French artist Georges Seurat. Let’s learn a little more about what made his...

Alexandra Kiely 3 February 2023

Masterpiece Stories

Masterpiece Story: Chateau Noir by Paul Cézanne

Chateau Noir is one of several paintings Paul Cézanne made of a Neo-Gothic castle in his hometown, Aix-en-Provence in the south of France. Chateau...

Alexandra Kiely 3 February 2023

Artemisia Gentileschi, Self Portrait as Saint Catherine of Alexandria Masterpiece Stories

Masterpiece Story: Self Portrait as Saint Catherine of Alexandria by Artemisia Gentileschi

Artemisia Gentileschi (1593–c. 1656) was “one of the best Italian Baroque painters.” Despite this, you won’t find any of her works in...

Chris Dobson 31 January 2023

Museum Stories

Artemisia (Literally) Unveiled: A Unique Chance to Encounter Artemisia Gentileschi in Florence

Until April 2023, the Casa Buonarroti Museum in Florence will host the restoration of Artemisia Gentileschi’s Allegory of Inclination. This is a...

Carlotta Mazzoli 31 January 2023

Review

I Know What I Am – A Fascinating Graphic Novel About Artemisia Gentileschi

Baroque’s most famous woman painter – Artemisia Gentileschi had a riveting life story. It was told and shown by Gina Siciliano in her beautifully...

Joanna Kaszubowska 31 January 2023

Masterpiece Stories

Masterpiece Story: Judith Slaying Holofernes by Artemisia Gentileschi

Artemisia Gentileschi (1593–1656) was the most accomplished female painter of the Italian Baroque. She specialized in Biblical scenes of strong...

James W Singer 31 January 2023

Winterfled Diptych: Mary Magdalene Raised by Angels WTF Art History

Why Is She So Hairy? Iconography of Mary Magdalene

Whenever I come across Gothic or early Renaissance representations of Mary Magdalene I always ask myself this question – why is she so hairy? Keep...

Magda Michalska 30 January 2023

Contemporary Art

How Roman Opałka Envisioned Infinity

In 1965 a French-born Polish painter Roman Opałka came to an important decision. While sitting at the Café Bristol in Warsaw waiting for his wife...

Caroline Galambosova 30 January 2023