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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]