#Symbols

James Ensor, Masks Confronting Death, 1888, Museum of Modern Art, New York, United States of America Expressionism

James Ensor: What the Mask Hides

Do you know who James Ensor was? James Ensor (1860-1949) was a scandalous, rebellious, and revolutionary Belgian painter with a style that could be...

Andra Patricia Ritisan 18 February 2026

Masterpiece Stories

Masterpiece Story: The Ten Largest by Hilma af Klint

Hilma af Klint was a Swedish abstract artist who was way ahead of her time. She might just be the first abstract painter in Western modern art...

Jinnie Stork 10 February 2026

Masterpiece Stories

Masterpiece Story: An Allegory with Venus and Cupid by Agnolo Bronzino

An Allegory with Venus and Cupid by Agnolo Bronzino from the National Gallery in London is one of the most mysterious masterpieces of Mannerism. It...

Joanna Kaszubowska 8 February 2026

Animals

Secrets of Pets in Art

There’s nothing better than going to a museum and spotting a cute pet hidden in a painting. I mean, after all, one of art’s functions is...

Marta Wiktoria Bryll 19 January 2026

Contemporary Art

Life, Death, and Beauty: Damien Hirst in 5 Artworks

Damien Hirst is one of the most influential and controversial figures in contemporary art. His work merges natural science and popular culture with...

Carlotta Mazzoli 16 January 2026

Literature

The Snow Queen—Book Illustrations

The Snow Queen is one of the most beautiful winter tales. It was originally published on December 21st, 1844. The fairytale has been continuously...

Errika Gerakiti 24 December 2025

History

How Did the Dutch Become Dutch: Propaganda Prints in the Dutch Golden Age

The Golden Age of the Dutch Republic was a flourishing period for culture and economy, yet it wasn’t characterized by peace. The Dutch Republic...

Andreea Iancu 19 December 2025

Theater & Cinema

Harry Potter and the Lady of the Unicorn Tapestries

The Lady and the Unicorn Tapestries were made towards the end of the 15th century and are one of the most well-known sets of medieval tapestries. You...

Anna Ingram 18 December 2025

Masterpiece Stories

Masterpiece Story: Madonna by Edvard Munch

The Norwegian painter Edvard Munch realized the colored lithograph Madonna in 1895. He is considered the precursor of Expressionism, therefore his...

Maia Heguiaphal 11 December 2025

Dine & Wine

Baroque Foodies—Social Media of the Dutch Golden Age

Carefully arranged plates of food surrounded by carefully planned out backgrounds, images with hidden meanings, a snapshot of wealth… What may...

Rachel Witte 4 December 2025

John William Waterhouse, The Soul of the Rose, 1908. Wikimedia Commons (public domain). Detail. Art State of Mind

Viva Floralia! All Flowers in Art

The Floralia festival was celebrated in Ancient Rome in honor of the goddess Flora. Because there is nothing more beautiful than flowers and,...

Andra Patricia Ritisan 26 November 2025

Art State of Mind

A Tulip Means Love—Decoding the Hidden Messages of Flowers

Nowadays we have social media, emails, and telephone calls. But a century ago, it was not quite as easy to get a message or love note across to...

Rachel Witte 26 November 2025