#19th Century

Masterpiece Stories

Masterpiece Story: Ellen Terry as Lady Macbeth by John Singer Sargent

On December 29th, 1888, John Singer Sargent went to the Lyceum Theatre in London to watch the premiere of Shakespeare’s Macbeth starring Henry...

Catriona Miller 12 January 2025

John Singer Sargent, Lady Agnew of Lochnaw, 1892, Scottish National Gallery, Edinburgh, UK. Detail. Masterpiece Stories

Masterpiece Story: Lady Agnew of Lochnaw by John Singer Sargent

Lady Agnew of Lochnaw is a masterpiece by John Singer Sargent. It portrays a Victorian woman in a bold, modern manner. Sargent combined masterful...

James W Singer 12 January 2025

Review

Book Review: Beyond Vanity, The History and Power of Hairdressing by Elizabeth L. Block

Elizabeth L. Block, an art historian and Senior Editor at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, presents her latest work, Beyond Vanity: The...

Errika Gerakiti 10 January 2025

Masterpiece Stories

Masterpiece Story: Woman Combing Her Hair by Władysław Ślewiński

Władysław Ślewiński was a leading artist of the Young Poland movement—a modernist period in Polish arts at the turn of the 19th century. Today,...

Zuzanna Stańska 10 January 2025

Artist Stories

Winslow Homer—Painter of America

From soldiers to frolicking schoolchildren and New England fishing communities, Winslow Homer depicted American life. His works present unidealized,...

Alexandra Kiely 9 January 2025

Men praying by turbulent waters in a torrential downpour. Asian Art

Rain in Japanese Art

Although Japanese weather varies greatly across the archipelago, the abundance of rain throughout the year remains a common phenomenon across Japan.

Maya M. Tola 7 January 2025

hiroshige moon Asian Art

Autumn Moon in Japanese Woodblock Prints

Does anyone here live by the water? If you do, you will probably confirm that evenings have something transcendental when the moon reflects on the...

Magda Michalska 7 January 2025

Sculpture

Auguste Rodin in 10 Sculptures

Auguste Rodin, hailed as the father of modern sculpture, transformed art with innovative techniques and emotional depth. He bridged the academic...

Jimena Aullet 6 January 2025

Dine & Wine

Why Did So Many Artists Drink Absinthe?

Curious about the abundance of paintings featuring people indulging in absinthe throughout art history? You’re not alone. As I pondered this,...

Magda Michalska 30 December 2024

Painting

Suzanne Valadon in 5 Paintings

To truly understand Suzanne Valadon, we must look at her art. Let’s explore five of her most compelling paintings, each a testament to how her...

Nikolina Konjevod 30 December 2024

Masterpiece Stories

Masterpiece Story: Miss La La at the Cirque Fernando by Edgar Degas

Feats of strength, super flexibility, the ability to hold one’s breath for long periods of time, combine all that with lions, clowns, and a...

Rachel Witte 26 December 2024

A Victorian Christmas card featuring a robin in a top hat and a robin in a bonnet. The text reads: ‘Happy returns. Christmas comes but once a year.’ History

Victorian Christmas Cards: Strange or Timeless?

It’s thanks to the Victorians that the tradition of sending Christmas cards exists. The very first commercial Christmas card was sent in 1843, and...

Jenna Burns 24 December 2024