Art History Blog Posts
Aertsen’s Meat Stall with the Holy Family: The Reading
Aertsen’s Meat Stall is an inverted still life, full of veiled symbols and spiritual lessons that we will explore in this post. This is a
Isenheim Altarpiece – The Crucifixion
Crucifixion Panel of the Isenheim altarpiece by Matthias Grünewald which was created between 1510 and 1516. Sister Wendy had this to say about the Crucifixion
Peter Paul Rubens’ Descent from the Cross Triptych
Peter Paul Rubens’ Descent From the Cross Triptych is a stunning Flemish Baroque work that thematically explores what it means to “bear Christ.” While the
Georges De La Tour’s Magdalene and the Smoking Flame
Georges de La Tour’s, Magdalene with the Smoking Flame, is a French Baroque work that envisions Mary Magdalene in a state of deep contemplation. With
Harry Watrous’ The Drop Sinister
Harry Watrous’, The Drop Sinister, What Shall we Do With it?, is a departure for Watrous, an exploration of the moral and social issue that
Jacques Louis David’s Death of Marat
Jacques Louis David’s, Death of Marat, was a ground breaking painting of the assassination of Jean-Paul Marat, the radical revolutionary who condemned thousands to the
El Greco’s Cleansing of the Temple
El Greco’s Cleansing of the Temple (1600) is a cautionary work, admonishing the Church to remember that money, power, and politics can be corrupting influences,
Jacques Louis David’s Death of Socrates
Jacques Louis David’s, Death of Socrates, embodies both the neoclassical movement and the ideals of the French Revolution. Socrates, a harsh critic of the Athenian
Caravaggio’s Seven Works of Mercy
Caravaggio’s Seven Works of Mercy is an oil painting that was completed in 1607. The work shows a set of compassionate acts that humans can perform
Jacques Louis David’s Oath of the Horatii
Jacques Louis David’s Oath of the Horatii defines the Neoclassical painting style. Creating a sensation due to its striking aesthetic, the work soon became a
Simonet’s Then He Wept
Enrique Simonet’s Then He Wept depicts the Biblical story of Christ standing on the Mount of Olives, overlooking Jerusalem and grieving for the city. Intimate
Gauguin’s Vision After the Sermon
Paul Gauguin’s painting, Vision After the Sermon, is a work about the struggle of temptation, the pain of love, and the conflict of the artist.
Holbein’s The Body of the Dead Christ
Holbein’s, The Body of the Dead Christ, is a gruesome picture meant to shock. Confronting the viewer with such a realistic painting of Christ in
Sandro Botticelli’s Mystic Nativity
Botticelli’s Mystic Nativity is as beautiful as it is mysterious. With this work we venture into the realm of speculation and conjecture. I hope you
Teaching Botticelli’s Venus and Mars
Teaching Botticelli’s Venus and Mars, a lighthearted painting perfect Valentine’s Day study. It’s a fun way to incorporate art history into your February homeschool plan?
Hidden Meanings in Robert Campin’s Merode Altarpiece
The Hidden Meanings of the Merode Altarpiece by Campin Robert Campin’s Annunciation triptych, the Merode Altarpiece, is full of hidden symbols meant to lead the
The Backstory of the Merode Altarpiece Robert Campin
The Merode Altarpiece,by Robert Campin, is an annunciation triptych full of symbolic meaning, that was intended to lead the faithful into deep contemplation of the
Italian Renaissance Art, An Overview
Renaissance Renaissance is a French term meaning ‘rebirth’ and is used to describe a period of extensive cultural achievements that spanned the 15th to 17th
Durer’s Saint Jerome, The Hidden Meanings
Albrecht Durer’s Saint Jerome in His Study is a spiritual reflection on a life well lived. Who is Durer Dürer is often referred to as
Why Study Art History
Why study art, it’s a valid question. In this post we will explore my thoughts on the topic. The study of art history starts with
Video – The Conversation That Is Art
Check out the video below “Conversations in Art” and the full article here on the Blog: The Conversation That Is Art: An Introduction to the
Raphael The Resurrection of Christ
Raphael’s work, The Resurrection, is Who was Raphael The Resurrection is the only work of Raphael in the Southern Hemisphere, currently held at the Sao
“Christ Washing the Disciples’ Feet” – Tintoretto
Christ Washing the Disciples’ Feet was a favorite theme of the artist Tintoretto. He painted at least 6 versions of this famous Bible scene and
Ruben’s The Consequences of War
Ruben’s The Consequences of War, (or sometimes The Horrors of War) is an impressive painting. The work was painted in response to the Thirty Years’
Frames and Pedestals, They Matter!
Frames and pedestals add to our first impression of a piece of art. Art is greatly influenced by how the work is displayed and by
Botticelli’s Venus and Mars Explained
Botticelli’s Venus and Mars is both beautiful and humorous. Mischievous satyrs, clear bright colors, hidden symbols, and missing legs all deserve a closer look so
Dürer’s Rhinoceros Print, Part 2
Albrecht Durer’s Rhinoceros print is a woodcut that is part scientifically accurate and part charming fantasy. We’ve examined how the description of a Rhinoceros came
Backstory of Durer’s Rhinoceros
In this post we will explore the backstory of Durer’s Rhinoceros print. Albrecht Durer’s Rhinoceros is one of the most famous prints to ever be
Let a Child Lead You
Color in art is…complicated. While working on writing a clear, somewhat comprehensive article on the subject for my curriculum, I’ve struggled far more than seems
Color Crash Course – Part 1
Quick color crash course. A color crash course is necessary because color is one of the foundations of art, and so we need a basic
Art is a Conversation
Art is a conversation between the artist and the viewer. To participate in a conversation we must speak, at least some, of the same language.
Bruegel’s Massacre of the Innocents
Bruegel’s Massacre of the Innocents is a powerful political work. Deemed too dangerous to be displayed multiple scenes in the work were painted over to
Prayer Nuts
A prayer nut is a Gothic, miniature sculpture contained inside of a sphere of boxwood. Prayer nuts were all the rage during the
Murillo’s Adoration of the Shepherds
Bartolome Esteban Murillo’s, Adoration of the Shepherds, brings to life the phrase, “the people who walk in darkness will see a great light.” Creating an
Rembrandt’s Dream of Saint Joseph
Rembrandt’s Dream of Saint Joseph emphasizes Joseph’s connection to the Joseph of the Old Testament, and to his role as the Saint of Hidden Things.
Tintoretto’s Nativity
Tintoretto’s, Nativity provides the viewer with a unique portrayal of the familiar nativity story. Skillfully using light, and the distinctive architecture of a two story
Caravaggio’s Nativity with St. Francis and St. Lawrence
Caravaggio’s Nativity with St. Francis and St. Lawrence is famous, not just because it is a masterpiece but because it is on the FBI’s 10
Pieter Bruegel’s The Census at Bethlehem
Pieter Bruegel’s Census at Bethlehem, shifts the Biblical story into the political and physical world of 16th century Netherlands. One of the first snow landscapes
El Greco’s Annunciation
El Greco’s Annunciation was painted late in the artists career when his style had fully developed. Combining the exaggerated colors and figures of the Mannerists
The Annunciation by Titian
The Annunciation by Titian is one of the artist later works displaying his innovative loose brushstrokes and dramatic lighting. Containing more of the heavenly
Grunewald’s Annunciation from the Isenheim Altarpiece
Grunewald’s Annunciation Panel on the Isenheim Altarpiece was painted to give comfort in a hospital that could offer little hope. With his mystic, emotional style,
Michelangelo’s The Holy Family
Michelangelo’s The Holy Family portrays an intimate moment of the Holy Family done on a round panel and encased in an elaborate frame. The work,
Giorgione’s Adoration of the Shepherds
Giorgione’s Adoration of the Shepherds exemplifies the distinctives of this Venetian artist. In this work his penchant for enigmatic themes is fully expressed as he
Dürer’s Nativity Woodcuts
Albrecht Dürer’s Nativity Woodcuts Albrecht Dürer’s Nativity Woodcuts communicate complexity with nothing but lines, and it is astounding. Realistically representing space, emotion, perspective, with nothing
The Portinari Altarpiece by Hugo Van Der Goes
Hugo Van Der Goes’ Portinari Altarpiece, was shocking when first revealed to the public. The unprecedented portrayal of the shepherd’s amazed viewers and emphasized Van
Lippi’s Annunciation with Two Donors
Filippo Lippi’s Annunciation with Two Donors Filippo Lippi’s, Annunciation with Two Donors, is a beautiful Renaissance work that brings together the iconography of the nativity
Van Eyck’s Annunciation, The Hidden Meanings.
Jan Van Eyck’s Annunciation, is a work that shimmers with a luminous clarity, infusing spiritual meaning into every small detail. Van Eyck is true to
Rogier Van Der Weyden’s The Visitation
Rogier Van Der Weyden’s, The Visitation Roger Van Der Weyden’s, The Visitation, explores the story of Mary’s visit with her cousin Elizabeth. Today we will
Donatello’s The Annunciation
Donatello’s Annunciation Donatello’s Annunciation is the focus of today’s post. I’m excited that today we get to examine a work by one of the esteemed
Fra Angelico’s The Annunciation in the Cortona Altarpiece
Fra Angelico’s Annunciation Fra Angelico’s Annunciation in the Cortona Altarpiece is beautiful, and filled with religious symbolism meant to expound on the doctrines surrounding Christ
Limbourg Book of Hours
The Limbourg Brother’s Book of Hours Today we journey into the Limbourg Book of Hours, or the wonderful world of illuminated manuscripts. These manuscripts are
Martini’s Annunciation
Simone Martini’s Annunciation Simone Martini’s Annunciation is a wonderful example of Gothic art. Martini captures the moment Gabriel tells Mary that she will bear a
The Duccio Maesta Altarpiece Nativity
The Duccio Maesta Altarpiece Nativity is the subject of our tour of Nativity art. You can view this post in video form on my YouTube
Giotto Arena Chapel Nativity
The Giotto Arena Chapel Nativity is the subject for day 3 on our Advent in Art Series. Background of the Giotto Arena Chapel In a
Mosaic in the Chora Church
A mosaic in the Chora Church will be the focus of todays advent art. The mosaics and frescoes of the Chora Church are some of
Nicola Pisano Nativity Panel in the Baptistry in Pisa.
Background on the Pisano Nativity Panel The Piazza dei Miracoli The work we will be considering is the Nativity panel in the Baptistry in Pisa
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