#religious art

Echave Ibía. Baltasar de Echave Ibía, The Inmaculate Conception (detail), 1620, Museo Nacional de Arte, Mexico City, Mexico. Artist Stories

Baltasar de Echave Ibía and Masterpieces in Blue

Baltasar de Echave Ibía was a renowned Novohispanic painter from the 17th century. In fact, he belonged to an artistic dynasty. Yet, he managed to...

Jimena Escoto 23 August 2022

Contemporary Art

More than a Stone. Representation of the Kaaba by Hamra Abbas

The 17th century world map from an Ottoman book on the discovery of the Americas Tarih-i Hind-i Garbi (History of the West Indies) points to Mecca...

Magda Michalska 7 August 2022

Baroque

The Veiled Christ: Art or Alchemy?

In the nave of the Sansevero Chapel in Naples there is a unique sculpture depicting Jesus after the crucifixion. His body is covered with a thin...

Rachel Istvan 3 August 2022

Art State of Mind

Midsummer – An Old Pagan Tradition in Scandinavian Art

The summer solstice in June is celebrated throughout several cultures. The Scandinavian culture is no exception to that. Initially tied to pagan...

Merve Parla 24 June 2022

Architecture

4 Mosques and Their Unique Histories

Islamic architecture is well-known for spacious courtyards, colorful wall paintings, and tiles with incredible patterns. The history of many mosques...

Magda Michalska, Aniela Rybak 28 March 2022

Medieval Art

Treasures of Medieval Irish Art to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day

Today is St. Patrick’s Day, so that means it’s a day to celebrate all things Irish. What better way to do that than by looking at some...

Alexandra Kiely 17 March 2022

Sor Maria Francisca de San Pedro, Juan Patricio Morlete Ruiz, 1760 Painting

An Instant Becomes Eternity: Nuns’ Profession Portraits in the 18th Century New Spain

At the beginning of the 18th century in New Spain (colonial Mexico), portraits of local elites became an essential genre. In a society with a strong...

Wen Gu 3 March 2022

Baroque

Peter Paul Rubens: Sensuous Gods and Dramatic Saints

Peter Paul Rubens is synonymous with Flemish Baroque. His dynamic yet sensuous style made him the most popular artist of his time, running a large...

Anastasia Manioudaki 14 February 2022

Painting

Faith and Art: The Religious Art of William Hole

I invite you to take a closer look at a great Scottish etcher, muralist, and illustrator, William Hole (1846-1917) whom I discovered by chance when I...

Guest Profile 20 December 2021

Ancient Egypt

Man, Woman or Both? Meet Akhenaten, the Only Androgynous Pharaoh

If you thought that ancient Egypt had always been only about a large pantheon of gods, solid and emotionless sculptures, and masculine pharaohs, have...

Magda Michalska 20 November 2021

Architecture

These Churches Will Make You Believe In God

Churches are fascinating buildings where time seems to stand still. Allow us to lead you by the smell of incense into the dark Gothic interiors.

Magda Michalska 18 November 2021

Painting

Art Advent Calendar of Nativities

Today December starts and that means it is the countdown until Christmas Day. To celebrate, here is an art advent calendar of nativity scenes,...

Isla Phillips-Ewen 1 December 2020