Artist Stories

Artist Stories

Max Ernst and Birds: A Relationship Explained Through Paintings

Max Ernst (1891–1976) was a prolific German avant-garde artist. He was a pioneer in the early 20th-century movements of Dada and Surrealism and...

Anastasia Tsaleza 5 January 2024

Pontormo Detail from The Visitation Mannerism

Pontormo: The Neglected Mannerist Painter

Pontormo was a Renaissance painter, admired by both Michelangelo and Raphael. His first apprenticeship was in Leonardo da Vinci's workshop. His work is treasured by The National Gallery and The Uffizi. His luminous work is truly magnificent, so why is he so neglected?

Guest Profile 2 January 2024

Cubism

Georges Braque – The Second Father of Cubism

Everyone knows Pablo Picasso and considers him the father of Cubism. Everyone also knows that success has many fathers. Today, let’s talk about...

Joanna Kaszubowska 1 January 2024

Literature

Book Review: Sofonisba, Portraits of the Soul

Sofonisba, Portraits of the Soul is a book by Chiara Montani about the life and work of the Italian artist Sofonisba Anguissola. Sofonisba was an...

Errika Gerakiti 28 December 2023

Review

Last Chance to See! Jean-Michel Basquiat: King Pleasure in Los Angeles

Jean-Michel Basquiat: King Pleasure is an immersive art experience organized in Los Angeles by the family of the artist in a space designed by the...

Jennifer S. Musawwir 22 December 2023

Jean-Michel Basquiat at an exhibition of his work in 1988, Vrej Baghoomian Gallery, New York, NY, USA. Photograph vt Julio Donoso via The Guardian. Artist Stories

Like a Flame – Jean-Michel Basquiat in 5 Paintings

He started out a couch-surfing throwaway. One day, a painting of his would sell for the highest price ever for an American artist at a public...

Helen Jeffery 22 December 2023

Renaissance

10 Facts You Didn’t Know About Michelangelo

Michelangelo Buonarroti, a painter, sculptor, and architect was born in Caprese, Italy on March 6, 1475. He is one of those geniuses whose biography...

Zuzanna Stańska 21 December 2023

Controversial Artists: Artist Stories

Controversial or Criminal? Problematic Artists and Cancel Culture

Great art pushes boundaries and challenge norms. But how should we react to works by artists with a history of truly horrifying behaviour?

Candy Bedworth 18 December 2023

Art Nouveau

Ramón Casas – The Painter of Catalan Modernism

When you think of Catalonia, and especially Barcelona, the first name that comes to mind is, of course, that of Antoni Gaudí, but Catalan art at the...

Joanna Kaszubowska 18 December 2023

Art Travels

Edgar Degas and New Orleans’ Paintings

Just about everyone has heard of Edgar Degas, the famous painter of dancers. However, the works Degas created in modern America’s favorite party...

Abreeza Thomas 18 December 2023

Remedios Varo, An unexpected visit, 1958. Women Artists

Remedios Varo: Forgotten Spanish Painter of Magic

Remedios Varo (1908-1963) was a 20th-century Surrealist painter. Born in Spain, she was forced to move to France and Mexico to escape the Spanish...

Jimena Escoto 16 December 2023

Women Artists

Mary Blair: The Modern Artist Behind Walt Disney’s Magic

Inside the 2022 Wallace Collection’s magical exhibition, Inspiring Walt Disney, was an entire wall of intricate, hand-drawn illustrations from the...

Guest Profile 16 December 2023