The Image of God
I have always been captivated by the profound and revolutionary declaration in Genesis 1:27: “So God created humankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” This art installation, The Image of God, is a visual meditation on that sacred mystery. It seeks to explore […]
Durer’s Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse
Albrecht Durer’s The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (1498) stands as the most celebrated woodcut from his monumental series of 16 illustrations based on the Book of Revelation. This powerful woodcut dramatically visualizes the apocalyptic passage from Revelation 6:1-8, capturing the dread and fervor of its era. The Visionary Artist: Albrecht Dürer Albrecht Dürer was […]
Bruegel’s Landscape with The Fall of Icarus
Bruegel’s Landscape with the Fall of Icarus is a canvas rich with allusion and surprise, offering an exploration of human nature, pride, and complacency. While at first glance the artwork presents a serene seascape with peasants diligently working in the foreground, a closer examination uncovers darker elements that imbue the painting with its deeper context […]
Durer’s Self Portrait 1500
Albrecht Dürer’s Self-Portrait at Twenty-Eight, painted in 1500, was a groundbreaking work that challenged artistic conventions and profoundly influenced the perception of artists. This panel painting offers a complex and layered portrayal, providing a glimpse not only into Dürer’s psyche but also into the core beliefs of the Northern Renaissance. Albrecht Dürer: A Renaissance Luminary […]
Raphael’s The Three Graces
Raphael’s “The Three Graces,” is an oil painting believed to have been created between 1503 and 1505, and stands as a significant work from the High Renaissance master’s early period. This relatively small panel painting captures the classical subject of the three mythological Graces Notably, this work is considered one of Raphael’s first explorations of the […]
Michelangelo’s Bacchus
Michelangelo’s Bacchus was executed early in the artist celebrated career (1496-1497). The Bacchus is a captivating and complex portrayal of the god of wine, fertility, and revelry. As one of the artist’s few large-scale works dedicated to a purely pagan subject, the work offers a crucial look at his emerging mastery of form and anatomy […]
Caravaggio’s Medusa
Caravaggio’s Medusa offers a powerful and visceral portrayal of a pivotal moment in Greek mythology: the beheading of the Gorgon by Perseus. The painting is a striking example of Caravaggio’s masterful use of light and his signature dramatic realism. Caravaggio: A Life as Dramatic as His Art Michelangelo da Merisi, forever known as Caravaggio after […]
Durer’s “Jesus Among the Doctors”
Durer’s Jesus Among the Doctors vividly portrays the dramatic encounter described in the Gospel of Luke: the young Jesus debating with astonished scholars in the Temple. Completed in 1506, the painting masterfully captures the tension between Jesus’s insightful youthful wisdom and the established knowledge of the learned elders, depicting a dynamic intellectual confrontation. Durer in […]
Millet’s The Gleaners
Jean-François Millet’s The Gleaners is an image etched in the collective consciousness, a seemingly simple depiction of three peasant women stooping in a field. Yet, this iconic 1857 painting, far from being a mere pastoral scene, ignited controversy and continues to provoke thought about social hierarchy, labor, and the dignity of the rural poor […]
Raphael’s Triumph of Galatea
Raphael’s “The Triumph of Galatea” perfectly captures the exuberance and idealized beauty of the High Renaissance. The fresco, completed in 1512, was for the Villa Farnesina in Rome and is one of Raphael’s most celebrated works. The Triumph of Galatea is more than a decorative piece, it is a testament to Raphael’s mastery of composition, […]
Caravaggio’s “Narcissus”
Caravaggio’s Narcissus is a Baroque work of the mythological youth Narcissus, who became so enamored with his reflection that he couldn’t leave the reflecting pool and perished. Caravaggio: The Rebellious Genius Michelangelo Merisi, known simply as Caravaggio was a revolutionary figure. Shunning comparisons to the revered Michelangelo, he carved his own path, which was marked […]
Titian’s Bacchus and Ariadne
Titian’s “Bacchus and Ariadne,” a vibrant masterpiece from his early career, immortalizes the electrifying moment of Bacchus’s first encounter with the abandoned princess Ariadne, a pivotal scene of love at first sight. Titian: The Venetian Master of Color Titian, the undisputed luminary of 16th-century Venetian painting, revolutionized art with his bold use of color and […]
Dürer’s The Knight, Death and the Devil
Dürer’s “The Knight, Death, and the Devil” is an engraving made in 1513, and is one of his three master prints. This image is full of symbolism and complex iconography that has intrigued art historians since it was created. Alrecht Dürer: A Renaissance Master Albrecht Dürer is often referred to as the DaVinci of the […]
The Northern Renaissance
The Northern Renaissance: A Distinct Artistic Awakening (Introduction) The Northern Renaissance is a period of Art History that continues to fascinate. While the Italian Renaissance often dominates our understanding of this transformative era, it was far from the only one. The broader Renaissance, spanning roughly 1300 to 1600, marked a period of profound cultural and […]
Van der Weyden’s “The Deposition of Christ”
Van Der Weyden’s “The Deposition of Christ” is considered one of the most influential paintings of the 15th century. Its dramatic style and emotional intensity profoundly impacted subsequent generations of artists throughout Europe. Rogier van der Weyden: A Master of the Flemish Renaissance Rogier Van Der Weyden was a prominent Netherlandish painter born in […]
Albrecht Dürer: A Renaissance Artist in Germany
Albrecht Dürer was a towering figure of the German Renaissance, renowned as a painter, printmaker, and theorist, and sometimes referred to as the Da Vinci of the North. Both prolific and original, Dürer mastered multiple styles and techniques, exhibiting equal skill with painting, engraving, etching, woodcut, dry point, landscapes, portraits, and nature studies. Dürer was […]
Mantegna’s “Entombment of Christ”
Mantegna’s “Entombment of Christ” is a powerful and poignant engraving that captures the solemnity and grief of Christ’s burial. More than just a visual record of the biblical event, Mantegna’s work offers a deeply human portrayal of mourning and loss. This engraving, with its characteristic precision and stark contrasts, exemplifies Mantegna’s mastery of the medium […]
Anastasis in the Chora Church
The Anastasis, a powerful image of Christ’s resurrection, has captivated viewers for centuries. More than a simple depiction of rising from the dead, this iconic scene, particularly as it appears in the Chora Church in Istanbul, offers a rich tapestry of theological meaning and artistic brilliance. This article delves into the depths of the Anastasis, […]
Botticelli’s “Birth of Venus”
Sandro Botticelli’s “The Birth of Venus” is more than just a beautiful painting; it’s a cultural icon, a symbol of beauty, love, and rebirth. Emerging from the sea on a giant scallop shell, Venus, the Roman goddess of love, is a vision of ethereal grace. However, beneath the surface of this seemingly simple image lies […]
Almeida Junior’s The Remorse of Judas
Almeida Junior’s, The Remorse of Judas, is not your typical religious painting. This enigmatic masterpiece, with its brooding colors and unsettling symbolism, delves into the psychological depths of Judas Iscariot, offering a haunting glimpse into the torment of betrayal. Who is Almeida Junior? Today, we journey to South America to delve into a poignant work […]
Sofonisba Anguissola’s “The Chess Game”
Sofonisba Anguissola’s “The Chess Game,” painted in 1555, transcends a simple depiction of her sisters, Lucia, Minerva, and Elena. It showcases her remarkable ability to capture individual personalities and her innovative approach to portraiture, moving beyond formal rigidity to portray a scene of warmth and spontaneity. Notably, Anguissola subtly challenges prevailing Renaissance gender stereotypes through […]
Dürer’s Melencolia I
Dürer‘s Melencolia I, a masterpiece of Northern Renaissance art transcends the realm of mere illustration. This enigmatic engraving, a complex tapestry of symbols, has captivated art historians and scholars for centuries. At its core lies the exploration of melancholia, a condition then understood as a profound sadness affecting the intellect, but also a state of […]
Tissot’s “What Our Lord Saw From the Cross”
Tissot’s What Our Lord Saw From the Cross stands out among Crucifixion paintings for its unique perspective. By depicting the scene through Christ’s eyes, Tissot challenges viewers to reimagine the event, forcing them to see it with fresh eyes and perhaps even experience a deeper level of empathy. Tissot’s Unexpected Turn: From Fashion to Faith […]
Klimt’s “The Kiss”
Gustav Klimt’s “The Kiss” is a masterpiece of the Art Nouveau and Symbolists styles, and is renowned for its opulent use of gold leaf and its sensual depiction of a couple entwined in an embrace. Sometimes judged as ‘just a romantic painting’, this work, and the artist who painted it are a bit more […]
Rubens’ Raising of the Cross
Rubens’ Raising of the Cross not only serves as a powerful religious icon but also represents a significant milestone in the development of Baroque painting, demonstrating the artist’s innovative approach to composition and his mastery of the human form. In this work Rubens introduces Antwerp to the Baroque style and the innovations he has brought […]
Titian’s Christ Carrying the Cross
Titian’s Christ Carrying the Cross is one of several Titian painted of this moment in Christ’s life. The close cropping with just the two figures made this an unusual painting for its time. The eyes of Christ, looking out to the viewer, manage to convey the pain and torment of this moment. Titian’s Artistic […]
Caravaggio The Denial of Peter
Caravaggio’s “The Denial of Peter,” a masterpiece of Baroque painting, plunges the viewer into the heart of a dramatic biblical scene. The renowned Italian artist masterfully employs his signature technique of chiaroscuro, casting the figures in stark contrasts of light and shadow, to heighten the emotional intensity of the moment. This intimate depiction of Peter’s […]
Bellini’s Agony in the Garden
Bellini’s Agony in the Garden is a poignant and moving depiction of a pivotal moment in Christian history. The painting captures the anguish of Jesus as he prays on the night he will be arrested. Who is Bellini? Giovanni Bellini was born into a prominent Venetian family of artists in 1430. Giovanni would come to […]
El Greco’s The Last Supper
El Greco’s Last Supper is a striking reinterpretation of the traditional Christian scene painted in the Mannerist style. He emphasizes spiritual drama through elongated figures, vibrant colors, and a dynamic composition. Who was El Greco? Born on the island of Crete, which was then under Venetian rule, El Greco began his career as a Byzantine […]
Van Dyck’s Christ Entering Jerusalem
Anthony Van Dyck’s Christ Entering Jerusalem is one of his most dramatic works. The painting captures the powerful moment of Christ’s triumphant entry into the city on Palm Sunday. A Baroque work, this painting was completed in 1617 when the artist was just 18 years of age. The oil on canvas painting is approximately 5 […]
Rubens’ Feast in the House of Simon the Pharisee
Rubens’ Feast in the House of Simon the Pharisee is credited to two artists, and is a compelling piece of Baroque art. This work tells the story of Christ joining the religious leaders of his day for a meal, when they are interrupted by a woman who comes in to wash and anoint Jesus feet. […]
Dürer’s Adoration of the Magi
Albrecht Dürer’s, Adoration of the Magi, is a painting that highlights the universal nature of the incarnation. In typical Northern fashion, Dürer has layered on meaning with all of the small details he has included in this visual retelling of the story. During the Renaissance, the Magi traveling from the east to worship the newborn […]
Colors of Advent
The colors of Advent are surprisingly controversial and diverse. I realize this discussion is important to a limited audience, but to those interested in things like liturgical colors, the conversation can stir strong feelings. If you read my discussion of the decorations used in my church this Advent season, you will note that we have […]
Meaning Behind Traditional Christmas Decorations
Advent and Christmas Decorations Meaning behind traditional Christmas decorations can be lost over time, as we enter this season of Advent and enjoy the change of decorations in our sanctuary, I wanted to explore the meanings behind the traditional decorations I’ve chosen to use. Combining traditions with new expressions I’m looking forward to the coming […]
Norman Rockwell’s Freedom From Want
Norman Rockwell’s Freedom From Want, has become, for many, the iconic image of the American family celebrating Thanksgiving. This enduring symbol of gratitude and family togetherness feels timeless. However, the actual story behind the painting, and what the artist intended it to represent is less about Thanksgiving and more about overcoming difficult struggles and […]
Fra Angelico’s The Mocking of Christ
Fra Angelico’s The Mocking of Christ has intrigued me for years! The Mocking of Christ is a fresco painted on the wall of Cell 7 of the Convent of San Marco in Florence. Fra Angelico Fra Angelico was an early Renaissance painter who was also a Dominican friar. When he joined the Order of Preachers, […]
Rembrandt inspired Sanctuary Art
Rembrandt-inspired Sanctuary art was used during the winter season of 2023 at my church. When I was presented with creating art with the vague theme of, “the Old Testament” I was baffled and challenged. What I came up with was a bit unconventional, and not easily understood without some explanation. The following article is what […]
Giotto’s The Kiss of Judas
Giotto’s The Kiss of Judas is a from the cycle of Christ’s Passion in the Arena Chapel, a unique church whose art was created by a singular artist, Giotto di Bondone. The Arena, or Scrovegni Chapel In a Northeast corner of Italy is the city of Padua. Even in 1303, Padua was a cosmopolitan […]
Winslow Homer’s The Veteran in a New Field
Winslow Homer’s, “The Veteran in a New Field” is a powerful, post-Civil War reflection. “The Veteran in a New Field” is a hopeful work that acknowledges the dark days of the war years, yet looks ahead to a new season. The Title Our first clue that this oil painting is about more than a man […]
Durer’s Adam and Eve
Durer’s Adam and Eve combines Christianity with Humanism, demonstrates Durer’s astonishing skill, and his understanding of the advances made during the Renaissance. Bringing together all of his various interests into one print Durer has created a reproducible masterpiece that can be spread across Europe, increasing his reputation and fame. Biography of Durer Durer is […]
Matisse Inspired Sanctuary Art
Matisse inspired Sanctuary art enhances worship as we explore the fruits of the spirit and resurrection life. Many of you are familiar with me because of my Art History content, but over the past few years I’ve been creating art to compliment the sermon series at my church. I’ve decided to post a bit […]
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 complicated piece that requires some context to appreciate. You can find my blogpost on the backstory to Pieter Aertsen’s Meat Stall here. I strongly suggest reading that post first, then […]
Aertsen, The Backstory of A Meat Stall with the Holy Family Giving Alms
Aertsen’s, A Meat Stall with the Holy Family Giving Alms, is an inverted still life that presents an allegory of physical and spiritual food. Layered images challenge the viewer to step back and view the work through a variety of lenses, thus coming to appreciate the complexities of Aertsen’s masterpiece. Created in 1551 by the […]
Michelangelo’s Isaiah
Michelangelo’s Isaiah is one of the iconic prophets from the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Known during his lifetime as the Divine One, Michelangelo Buonarroti, was a High Renaissance Italian artist whose career spanned 70 years, The history of the Sistine Chapel is a long and complicated one that has resulted in a depository for […]
Michelangelo’s Sistine Ceiling: Uncovering Its Message
Michelangelo’s Sistine Ceiling astounds with its beauty and complex theological messaging. In this post we will be exploring the meanings behind the various elements of the ceiling and how they all come together to support a common theme of reconciliation. I’ve already written about the drama and challenges Michelangelo faced when he was forced […]
Michelangelo’s Sistine Ceiling, The Backstory
Michelangelo’s Sistine Ceiling is considered one of the greatest art cycles to ever be created. Ironically, the backstory to the Sistine ceiling reveals that the commission was meant to tarnish, if not ruin, Michelangelo’s reputation. His rivals did not foresee that Michelangelo’s genius and pride would push him to create a work that gained him […]
Rembrandt’s Storm on the Sea of Galilee
On the surface Rembrandt’s Storm on the Sea of Galilee is the visual retelling of a pivotal story in the gospel narrative. Beneath the surface, the work reveals the battle between human frailty and nature, between faith and fear. Two Worlds portrayed in Rembrandt’s Storm on the Sea of Galilee Rembrandt recognizes that there […]
The Nativity at Night
The Nativity at Night by Geertgen tot Sint Jans, painted in 1490, was a devotional tool. Encouraging believers to contemplate the nativity was thought to bring the believer into greater communion with God. Specifically, contemplating Christ birth was meant to facilitate the viewer in bringing forth their own spiritual rebirth. Geertgen was an Early Netherlandish […]
IThemba Tower, Communicating Hope
IThemba Means Hope The iThemba tower, is a permanent public art installation that symbolizes the collective hopes of the residents of Troyeville in Johannesburg, South Africa. The tower is over 65 feet high and is made of over 7,000 plastic bottles on a redundant communications tower. Bringing attention to the informal waste collectors of Johannesburg, […]
JMW Turner’s The Slave Ship
The Judgement of JMW Turner’s The Slave Ship Years ago, when I first saw this painting, I assumed I was just looking at another seascape with an interesting exploration of light. However, as I continued to look, small details came into focus. I began to wonder: What are those surprising dark lines in the water? […]
We Light Amsterdam
Festival of Lights in Amsterdam During the long, cold winter months of December and January a magical Festival of Lights takes place in Amsterdam. Lighting the city with enchanting art installations, the city twinkles and glows, giving light and warmth to both citizens and visitors, during the darkest months of the year. 20 to 30 […]
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 Panel in the Isenheim Altarpiece “In this noble veracity, Gothic art reached an electrifying greatness.” Grunewald and Gothic Art Matthias Grünewald, a German Gothic painter, lived during the time […]
Grünewald’s Resurrection from the Isenheim Altarpiece
Matthias Grünewald‘s Resurrection painting is one of many works that make up the Isenheim Altarpiece. Painted between 1512 and 1516, this Altarpiece is unique and is considered one of Europe’s finest works of art. Possessing a deeply religious imagination, Grünewald has painted one of the most excruciating crucifixion scenes ever. And then he has gone […]
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 center panel shows Christ being removed from the cross, the frontispiece, and side panels both play an integral part in the narrative that Ruben’s is exploring. Descent from the Cross […]
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 clarity of form, and a limited color palette, De La Tour creates a forceful work that captures this quiet moment. In this post we will explore the composite character that […]
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 dominated his day. How were whites and blacks to live together in this new, post-slavery world? Watrous was a child during the Civil War. His life was lived in the […]
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 scaffold during France’s Reign of Terror. Capturing the quiet moment just after Marat’s murder, David transforms the terrorist, Marat, into a noble martyr and rallying symbol for the Revolution. A […]
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, El Greco paints a dynamic picture of Christ brandishing a whip of cords as he moves through, what should be a house of prayer, but has become a den of […]
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 government was sentenced to death, a death Socrates used to model stoic strength to his students. Who is Jacques Louis David Jacques Louis David is a French Neoclassical painter known […]
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 for one another. These works were central to the mission statement of the confraternity the work was commissioned for. Who is Caravaggio? Michelangelo da Merisi, has always been referred to […]
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 rallying point for the French as it embodied the ideals and vision of the Revolution. Jacques Louis David David was a classically trained French painter who is most noted for […]
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 and moving, the composition invites us to join Jesus followers on the mountain top and listen as he laments. Christ’s grief is prompted by the disbelief of the Jewish leaders […]
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. Vision After the Sermon is inspired by the art of Japan, the Celtic roots of Britany, and a woman. More about her later. Who was Gauguin? Generally Gauguin is portrayed […]
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 the tomb, challenges the believer’s confidence in the resurrection and demands a greater degree of faith. Influenced by Humanism, Holbein shows us Christ most human moment, his death. Doctrine held […]
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 find this painting as intriguing as I do. “I, Sandro, painted this picture at the end of the year 1500 in the troubles of Italy.” So begins the inscription at […]
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? This painting has fun details that are sure to delight a curious child, and in this post I’m going to give a quick lesson plan including a hands on exercise. […]
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 viewer into deep reflection on the mysteries of the Incarnation, or God taking on a human form in the person of Jesus. Before the work could be attributed to Campin […]
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 mysteries of Christ, who left heaven to become a man. In this post, we will be exploring the backstory and context of the work. If you wish to read more […]
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 centuries in Europe. A renewed interest in Greco-Roman antiquity inspired Italian Renaissance scholars to seek enlightenment by studying the golden ages of Ancient Greece and Rome. Often the Renaissance is […]
Durer’s Saint Jerome, The Hidden Meanings
Albrecht Durer’s Saint Jerome in His Study is a spiritual reflection on a life well lived. Saint Jerome presents a vision of serene contemplation and spiritual fulfillment. Within the ordered tranquility of his study, the aged saint is depicted immersed in scholarly pursuits, surrounded by objects that symbolize his devotion and intellectual endeavors. Who is […]
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 examining tools. Every discipline has its tools. Writer’s craft with words to stimulate the senses, rouse the emotions, and spark our ideas. Construction workers use tools to make an architect’s […]
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 Study of Art History. Art is an exchange of ideas that expands our understanding of what it means to be human. Across time, geography, and social constructs, artist reveal […]
Video – The Horrors of War by Peter Paul Reubens
I’m converting several of my blog post into videos, and here is one of the first. Peter Paul Rubens’, The Consequences of War, or the Horrors of War is a fascinating study. Today I was listening to a book about the Italian Renaissance and found it interesting that for centuries there was seldom a period […]
Raphael The Resurrection of Christ
Raphael’s work, The Resurrection, is the only work of Raphael in the Southern Hemisphere, currently held at the Sao Paulo Museum of Art in Brazil. The work is an oil painting on wood that was at one time believed to be part of a larger altarpiece. Who was Raphael Raphael was born in Urbino Italy […]
Tintoretto’s Christ Washing the Disciples Feet
Tintoretto’s “Christ Washing the Disciples’ Feet” is a captivating masterpiece that transports viewers into the heart of a biblical scene. A favorite theme of the prolific Venetian master Tintoretto returned to this powerful scene at least six times, each exploring different facets of the narrative. Among these varied interpretations, the version discussed here is the […]
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’ War and is heavily allegorical. Using mythological iconography to convey an eloquent warning, Rubens gives us a painting of disturbing beauty. The message of ‘The Consequences of War’ is as […]
Frames and Pedestals, They Matter!
Beyond the Art Itself: How Display Shapes Our Perception The initial encounter with a work of art is often shaped by more than just the artwork itself. Frames and pedestals, the lighting, and the surrounding environment all contribute significantly to our first impression. How a piece is displayed and what accompanies it can profoundly influence […]
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 let’s get started. Botticelli’s paintings of mythological stories are among his most famous. Botticelli’s Venus and Mars is telling the story of the illicit love affair between Venus and Mars. […]
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 to Dürer in this post, now we will move on to the actual print of Dürer’s Rhinoceros, how it was made, and what the words on the top of the print […]
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 made. The print is based on the real life rhinoceros, Genda. Here is her story. Genda, The Gift That Keeps Giving In 1515, an Indian rhinoceros was gifted by Sultan […]
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 reasonable. Connected to my thoughts on color, in a round about way, is another topic I’m interested in: teaching art to children. Color in art can be realistic, symbolic, emotive, […]
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 understanding of color theory. For thousands of years artist and craftsmen have been passing down their knowledge of color and how to use it effectively. In the 1660’s Isaac Newton […]
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. Art as Visual Language Every discipline has it’s tools. Writer’s craft with words to stimulate the senses, rouse the emotions, and spark our ideas. Construction workers use tools to make […]
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 make them more palatable. The work visually recounts the Biblical story of the children of Bethlehem being slaughtered by King Herod. Bruegel links the story to his own countries struggle […]
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 1500’s, and personally, I’m not sure why they fell out of style. I find them fascinating. At the end of the post, I’ve linked to my video on this subject […]
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 intimate scene of adoration, Murillo invites us to join the shepherd’s in worshipping the Christ Child. Who was Murillo Bartolome Esteban Murillo, a Spanish Baroque painter spent his entire career […]
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. Additionally, this work makes us reconsider the customary image of the sleeping Joseph. This painting is one of several that Rembrandt made of this story and I find it refreshing […]
Tintoretto’s The Adoration of the Shepherds
Tintoretto’s, The Adoration of the Shepherds provides the viewer with a unique portrayal of the familiar nativity story. Skillfully using light, and the distinctive architecture of a two story barn, Tintoretto connects the iconography of the Nativity with that of the Last Supper. Providing multiple examples of food, drink and nourishment, Tintoretto links our physical […]
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 Top Art Crimes. The artist has given us a controversial depiction of the Virgin Mary that challenged the doctrines of the Catholic church. Rejecting the exaggerations of the Mannerists (see […]
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 painted in Europe, the Census at Bethlehem is at once a beautifully composed genre painting and a biting social commentary. In many ways it is a painting of a broken […]
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 with the mysticism he practiced while living in Spain, we have a truly unique envisioning of the Biblical story. Here, El Greco has included the unusual iconography of the burning […]
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 realm than the earthly, Titian alters the traditional Renaissance envisioning of the story. Who was Titian The Venetian master, Titian was born Tiziano Vecelli. He was an Italian Renaissance painter […]
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, Grunewald’s Annunciation plays on the theme of Mary as the church, bringing Christ to a dark world. For the hospitals patients and family any hope was a welcome respite. Grunewald, […]
Michelangelo’s The Holy Family
Michelangelo’s The Holy Family portrays an intimate moment on a round panel, or tondo, encased in an elaborate, original frame. The work, often referred to as the Doni Tondo, was completed just before Michelangelo began the Sistine Chapel ceiling and gives hints of his movement toward Mannerism. The painting shows a progression of time—from […]
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 paints Christ as the Eucharist and Mary as the Altar. Surrounded by the evocative landscape we have the shepherd’s arriving to worship the baby Jesus and learn from Mary. As […]
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 but lines cut into wood amazes me with the delicacy he achieves. Dürer has always been my favorite artist and I’m looking forward to sharing some of his work with […]
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 Der Goes theme of humility. A monumental work that challenged both the art world, and the individual, to reconsider what is truly important. This work stands as a testament to […]
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 story. Today we’ll explore both the art and the controversial artist. Lippi, Artist and Scoundrel Filippo Lippi…his art and his life are fairly incongruous. He was a bit of a […]
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 the Flemish tradition of hiding symbols in the everyday and using complicated iconography. In particular, Van Eyck explores the connections between the Old and New Testament of the Bible, the […]