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Art History: Most Popular Articles

These articles are the most popular over the last month.
Pop Art
Pop Art admired the Post-World War II consumer age.It featured recognizable imagery during the height of Abstract Expressionism,as a rebellious response for a younger generation. Most of the recognizable iconography came from popular sources, such as magazines, advertizing, packaging, comic books and tabloid news. The spirit of the movement expressed an optimism that celebrated the return to normalcy and American influences after the hardship of the war.
The Last Supper
Ten common questions answered, about one of the world's best-loved religious paintings.
The Sistine Chapel Ceiling
Answers to seven common questions about the most famous ceiling frescoes on the planet.
What Is Art?
: What Is Art? Note: This is a question that pops up around once a month, typically from a student who
Dada 101
Dada was, officially, not a movement, its artists not artists and its art not art. That sounds easy enough, doesn't it? Of course, there is a bit more to the story of Dadaism than this simplistic explanation.
What are the Elements of Art?
The elements of art are both fun and useful. Remember: line, shape, form, space, texture, value and color. Knowing these elements will allow you to analyze, write and chat about art, as well as create it yourself.
Surrealism
Surrealism based its artistic content on the dream and unconscious drives, such as sexuality, hunger, anger and bodily functions. They believed that thoughts unleashed in dreams were as authentic as thoughts produced during wakeful consciousness. Their strange juxtaposition of images brings to their work a sense of the randomness of the uncensored mind. The image can be biomorphic or academic, which is all the more disturbing because the appearance can look almost real or surreal.
Art History Jobs - Fellowship and Internship Postings
Art history job openings, Fellowships and Internships, stipends and grant competitions are updated each weekend. The most recent entries are at the top of the page. Listings are deleted when stated deadlines fall within the coming week or, if no deadline is mentioned, after roughly four weeks have passed. In other words, check back often!
form
Form is an element of art. At its most basic, a form is a three-dimensional geometrical figure. In a broader sense, form, in art, means the whole of a piece's visible elements and the way those elements are united. In this context, form allows us, as viewers, to mentally capture the work, and understand it. Finally, form refers to the visible elements of a piece, independent of their meaning.
The Artists of Impressionism
These were the trend setters of Impressionism, the initial band of French artists who met, formulated their working plans, exhibited and (mostly) lived in Paris during the mid- to late 19th Century. It was they who have influenced every generation of artists since, and they who, in retrospect, changed forever how we think about, view and create art.
Leonardo da Vinci - The Paintings
A chronological survey of Leonardo da Vinci's work as a painter, from his earliest 1470s efforts as an apprentice in Verrocchio's workshop, to his final painted piece, St. John the Baptist (1513-16).
balance
As a basic principle of art (specifically of design), balance refers to the ways in which the elements (lines, shapes, colors, textures, etc.) of a piece are arranged.
shape
A shape is an element of art. Specifically, it is an enclosed space, the boundaries of which are defined by other elements of art (i.e.: lines, colors, values, textures, etc.).
Cubism
An early twentieth century art movement that rebelled against Renaissance one-point perspective and illusionism through an emphasis on geometricity, simultaneity, and passage. Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque pioneered Cubism's ideas and style.
Abstract Art
A painting or sculpture that does not depict a person, place or thing in the natural world.
Henry Ford Hospital, 1932
Also known as "The Flying Bed," this is arguably the most painful self portrait that Frida Kahlo ever painted. Not only had she just suffered her second miscarriage, she was also beginning to realize that she could never carry a pregnancy to term. Additionally, these physical and emotional agonies had to be faced in a foreign city that she detested, and in which she felt completely estranged.
What is "Contemporary" Art?
Art from the 1960's or 70's up until this very minute.
texture
: ( noun ) - Texture , another element of art, is used to describe either the way a three-dimensional
emphasis
Emphasis is a principle of art which occurs any time an element of a piece is given dominance by the artist. Frequently, emphasis is achieved by means of contrast.
contrast
A principle of art, contrast refers to the arrangement of opposite elements (light vs. dark colors, rough vs. smooth textures, large vs. small shapes, etc.) in a piece so as to create visual interest, excitement and drama.
color
Color is the element of art that is produced when light, striking an object, is reflected back to the eye. There are three (3) properties to color.
Woman in a Hat with Pompoms and a Printed Blouse, 1962
Pablo Picasso (Spanish, 1881-1973). Woman in a Hat with Pompoms and a Printed Blouse, 1962. Linoleum cut printed in colors. 30 x 24 1/2 in. (76.2 x 62.2 cm). The Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kramer Collection, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kramer, 1985. (1985.1079.4). The Metropolitan Museum of Art. © 2010 Estate of Pablo Picasso / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York.
Was Leonardo Gay?
: Are You Saying Leonardo Was Gay? : No, I am not saying Leonardo was gay. I don't know if Leonardo was
Synthetic Cubism
Synthetic Cubism was invented by Picasso and Braque as they simplified a specific repertory of forms derived from their Analytic Cubism period of 1909/10 to 1912. Synthetic Cubism also incorporated collage and papier colle in Picasso and Braque's work.
Northern Renaissance
When we talk about the Northern Renaissance, what we actually mean is "Renaissance happenings that occurred
Art History 101 - Op Art
Flashback to 1964. In the United States, we were still reeling from the assassination of our President,
Post-Impressionism
Post-Impressionism is a collection of artists whose work comes directly out of the Impressionism or was inspired by the Impressionist movement, but pushes one aspect of the Impressionism to an extreme. Robert Rosenblum explained that the Post-Impressionists tried to construct a private pictorial world.
value
An element of art, value refers to the lightness or darkness of a color.
Picasso
Pablo Picasso, also known as Pablo Ruiz y Picasso, was singular in the art world. Not only did he manage to become universally famous in his own lifetime, he was the first artist to successfully use mass media to further his name (and business empire). He also inspired or, in the notable case of Cubism, invented, nearly every art movement in the twentieth century.
Abstract Expressionism
Abstract Expressionism or " AbEx " (a.k.a. Action Painting or Color Field Painting; a.k.a. The New York
Analytic Cubism
Analytic Cubism was developed by Picasso and Braque to refer to real objects in terms of identifiable details that become, through repetitive use, signs that indicate the idea of the object, just like we find in cartoon characters.
unity
A principle of art, unity occurs when all of the elements of a piece combine to make a balanced, harmonious, complete whole.
Glossary: "medium"
: ( noun ) - In art, " medium " refers to the substance the artist uses to create his or her artwork.
What Is Visual Art?
What are the visual arts? The visual arts are those creations we can look at, such as drawing or painting. If you care to know how we arrived at this term, read on.
Christina's World
Andrew Wyeth painted this in 1948. His father, N. C. Wyeth, had been killed at a railway crossing just three years earlier, and Andrew's work underwent a significant change after the loss. His palette became muted, his landscapes barren and his figures--if present--seemed plaintive. Christina's World epitomizes these traits.
space
An element of art, space refers to distances or areas around, between or within components of a piece.
The Renaissance in Venice
During the Renaissance Venice gave birth to a distinct school of painting. There was just something about the light there that begged to be captured on canvas.
Impressionism
Impressionism is about the fugitive quality of light as it falls on a surface, indicating the transience of time and quick pace of modern life. Its avant-garde technique features short, painterly brushstrokes of bright colors that blend when the eyes view the painting at a distance.
Michelangelo
Michelangelo Buonarroti - Italian Sculptor, Painter, Architect and Poet. Michelangelo was arguably the most famous artist of the Italian Renaissance, and inarguably one of the greatest artists of all time. He considered himself a sculptor, primarily, but is equally well known for the paintings he was induced (grudgingly) to create. He was also an architect and an amateur poet.
Performance Art
The term "Performance Art" got its start in the 1960s in the United States. It was originally used to
Early Renaissance Art
The "Early Renaissance" was all about Florence . Firenze, as it's known to those who live there, was
Andy Warhol
A biographical profile of Andy Warhol (1928-1987), American painter, filmmaker and Pop icon.
Renaissance Explained
We all know what the Renaissance was: Michelangelo, Leonardo, Raphael and company created some fabulous paintings and sculptures that we continue to marvel over many centuries later and so on and so forth. Was it really that simple?
Romanticism 101
Romanticism - Art History 101 Basics
The High Renaissance
They were: Leonardo da Vinci , Michelangelo Buonarroti and Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio) . These are the
The Scream
We know it, we love it, and we parody it, but how well do we know the story behind The Scream? Read on for some of the who, where, when, and why details.
What Is Representational Art?
: What Is Representational Art? : "I would like to have an introduction article on representational art..."
Late Renaissance Art
The High Renaissance in Italy was astonishing. It represented a peak, a height, a veritable zenith (if
Glossary: "line"
A line is a basic element of art, referring to a continuous mark, made on a surface, by a moving point. A line is long relative to its width. It can define a space, create an outline or pattern, imply movement or texture and allude to mass or volume. Absolutely essential in creating art, the line.
Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci, often referred to by just his first name, was the epitome of the term "Renaissance
Fauvism
Some art historians have rightfully questioned if Fauvism was indeed a movement, but there is no denying that the brief heyday of the Wild Beasts had a huge impact on Modern Art.
nonobjective art
A work of art that does not represent or depict a person, place or thing in the natural world.
Glossary: "proportion"
Proportion is a principle of art that describes the size, location or amount of one element to another (or to the whole) in a work. It has a great deal to do with the overall hamrony of an individual piece.
Glossary: "rhythm"
Rhythm is a principle of art that's difficult to summarize in words. Assuming that you've picked up on a rhythm in music before, take what you heard with your ears and try to translate that to something you'd see with your eyes. Rhythm, in art, is a visual beat.
What Are the Functions of Art?
: What Are the Functions of Art? : Smarter people than I have written entire books about this question.
Art History 101 - Paleolithic
The Paleolithic (literally: "Old Stone Age") period covered between two and one-half to three million
Write an Art History Paper
Advice on how to write an art history paper, written by an art history professor, offering dos and don'ts that will help you complete the assignment on time. Appropriate for high school and college students.
Mona Lisa Coloring Page
A line drawing of Leonardo's Mona Lisa for your coloring page fun. You are free to save and print this image for personal, educational and non-commercial purposes.
Outline of Art History - Modern Art - Visual Arts Movements from 1880-1970
Outline of Art History - Modern Art Visual Arts Movements - 1880-1970 After Impressionism proved it only
What is "Modern" Art?
: What is "Modern" Art? : Please know that this is a good question. We are contemporary to modern times.
Art History Timelines
Below you will find that which "they" (who say many things) call The Big Picture: the entirety of art
Artists in 60 Seconds Index - Visual Artist Bios From A to Z
In this large index, famous (and not-so-famous) names from the world of art are arranged alphabetically by last name. Also known as Artists in 60 Seconds, each profile contains pertinent facts about an individual name and links to further resources whenever applicable.
Golden Ratio
Golden Ratio is a term (with an astounding number of aliases) used to describe aesthetically pleasing proportioning within a piece.
Art History - A List of Artists Who Committed Suicide
About Art History - A List of Artists Who Committed Suicide
John vs. Mary Magdalene
: Is that John or Mary Magdalene in the Last Supper? : (Heaven help us all - aren't there more important
Appropriation Art
Appropriation art takes images from well-known contexts and puts these images into other contexts, usually paintings, sculpture, collages, combines or installations. Recontextualizing the image adds meaning and associations to the original image (or real thing) as well as completes the meaning of the Appropriation artist's own work.
Glossary: "pattern"
A principle of art - and probably the universe itself - pattern means the repetition of an element (or elements) in a work. An artist achieves a pattern through the use of colors (children playing with Legos® know this instinctively), lines (think: Op Art) or shapes (as with mosaics, tessellations, etc.).
Art History Glossary - Definitions for Art Words and Terms
An alphabetized index of Art and Art History definitions for words and terms.
Frida Kahlo
A biographical profile of Magdalena Carmen Frida Kahlo y Calderón (1907-1954), Mexican painter.
Color Field Painting
Color Field Painting is a branch of Abstract Expressionism that concentrates on colorful shapes and expanses of color which emphasize the literal flatness of the canvas or paper.
bas relief
: A French term from the Italian basso-relievo ("low relief"), bas relief is a sculpture technique in
Collage
Collage is an art form that includes glued paper, objects and other foreign matter. Picasso and Braque invented the art form during the the Synthetic Period (1912 and on).
Sunflowers Coloring Page
A line drawing of Vincent van Gogh's Vase with 12 Sunflowers for your coloring page fun. You are free to save and print this image for personal, educational and non-commercial purposes.
Ancient Greek Art
As happened centuries later with a handful of Renaissance painters, ancient Greek art tends to be thought
sfumato
Sfumato means that there are no harsh outlines (as in a coloring book) present; areas blend into one another through miniscule brushstrokes, which makes for a rather hazy, albeit more realistic, depiction of light and color.
tone
Tone is a quality of color.
The Lovers, 1928
René Magritte (Belgian, 1898-1967). The Lovers, 1928. Oil on canvas. 54 x 73.4 cm (21 3/8 x 28 7/8 in.). Gift of Richard S. Zeisler. The Museum of Modern Art, New York. © Charly Herscovici, Brussels - 2011© VBK Vienna, 2011.
Free Art History Coloring Pages
A series of art-historic line drawings for your coloring page fun. You are free to save and print these for personal, educational and non-commercial purposes.
Art History Quiz: Know Your French Impressionists
Art History Quiz: Know Your French Impressionists. 8 Artists, 20 Questions.
Shepard Fairey
A biographical profile of Shepard Fairey (b. 1970), American Contemporary artist.
trompe l'oeil
: ( noun ) - Trompe l'oeil literally translates from French to mean "fools the eye." Hard to paint, the
Vision Induced by the Nocturnal Aspect of the Porte St. Denis, 1927
Max Ernst (French, b. Germany, 1891-1976) Vision Induced by the Nocturnal Aspect of the Porte St. Denis, 1927 Oil on canvas. 65 x 81 cm (25 9/16 x 31 7/8 in.). Private Collection. © Estate of Max Ernst / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris.
Starry Night Coloring Page
A line drawing of Vincent van Gogh's Starry Night for your coloring page fun. You are free to save and print this image for personal, educational and non-commercial purposes.
A Brisk Walk Through the Eras
Put on your sensible shoes as we embark on an extremely abbreviated tour of art through the ages. The
American Gothic Coloring Page
A line drawing of Grant Wood's American Gothic for your coloring page fun. You are free to save and print this image for personal, educational and non-commercial purposes.
Special Exhibition Preview - Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise
Lorenzo Ghiberti's achievements in art clearly reflect his firm grasp of a new and progressive visual vocabulary that emerged in Renaissance Florence, one that distinguished him from his city's medieval predecessors. The High Museum of Art's upcoming special exhibition, devoted to three panels from Ghiberti's famed Gates of Paradise, amply demonstrates this point.
Vincent van Gogh
Vincent van Gogh lived a short, deeply tormented life, throughout which he sought (in vain) his place in the world. He died, by his own hand, feeling his life was a miserable failure. Unbeknownst to Vincent, the work he did pioneered the Expressionistic style and, 150 years after his birth, his name would be world famous.
impasto
A painting technique, impasto is a thick application of paint (usually oil) that makes no attempt to look smooth.
Quick Tips on Photographing Your Works of Art - How to Photograph Paintings, Drawings and Sculptures
There are numerous reasons that a work of art's owner might require a photograph of the painting, drawing or object in question. Assuming you do not own a high-end SLR or DSLR camera, or professional lighting equipment, release cables and tripods, there remain at least four steps anyone can take to ensure reasonably good pictures of art.
Neolithic Art
After the rather ho-hum art of the Mesolithic era, art in the Neolithic (literally: "new stone") age
Leonardo Squared the Circle! -- Da Vinci’s Secret Solution in the Vitruvian Man Decoded
Leonardo Squared the Circle! -- Da Vinci’s Secret Solution in the Vitruvian Man Decoded By Tom Pastorello
Realism 101
Realism - Art History 101 Basics
assemblage
: ( noun ) - As one familiar with the word "assembly" might assume, assemblage is a form of sculpture
Outline of Art History - Contemporary Art - Visual Arts Movements from the 1970s-Present
Outline of Art History - Contemporary Art Visual Arts Movements - 1970s-Present 1970 Post-Modernism - 1970s-mid
nonrepresentational art
An artwork that does not represent or depict a being, place or thing in the natural world.
J. M. W. Turner
A biographical profile of Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775-1851), English Romantic painter.
Roy Lichtenstein
A biographical profile of Roy Lichtenstein (1923-1997), American Pop painter.
Minimalism or Minimal Art
Minimalism or Minimal Art is a form of abstraction. It focuses on the most essential and elemental aspects
hue
: ( noun ) - " Hue " is what we call any color that can be plucked, in a pure state, out of the light
Sleeping Gypsy Coloring Page
A line drawing of Henri Rousseau's Sleeping Gypsy for your coloring page fun. You are free to save and print this image for personal, educational and non-commercial purposes.
Outline of Art History - Ancient Art - Visual Arts Movements from 30,000 BC-400 AD
Outline of Art History - Ancient Art Visual Arts Movements - ca. 30,000 B.C.-ca. 400 A.D. Prehistory
Landscape
Landscape is an academic category that refers to works of art which feature views of nature, including seascapes, cityscapes and waterscapes.
Titian (Tiziano Vecellio)
A biographical profile of Titian (Tiziano Vecellio), Venetian painter in the Italian High Renaissance.
Salon
A salon, based on the French word living room, is a conversational gathering of intellectuals, artists and politicians. The French Salon was the official annual exhibition sponsored by the French government from 1667 to 1890; it continues under the private stewardship of the Societe des Artistes Francais.
Outline of Art History - Renaissance to Early Modern Art - Visual Arts Movements from 1400-1880
Outline of Art History - Renaissance to Early Modern Art Visual Arts Movements - 1400-1880 Fifteenth
Berthe Morisot
Berthe Morisot was among the few women in the original French Impressionist circle. She was married to Eugene Manet and was the sister-in-law of Edouard Manet. Her daughter was Julie Manet, also an artist.
Jasper Johns
A biographical profile of Jasper Johns (b. 1930), American painter, sculptor and printmaker.
Mary Cassatt
A biographical profile of Mary Cassatt (1844-1926), American Impressionist painter and printmaker.
Triple Elvis, 1963
Andy Warhol (American, 1928-1987). Triple Elvis, 1963. Acrylic and silkscreen ink on canvas. 82 x 118 in. (208.3 x 299.7 cm). Doris and Donald Fisher Collection at SFMOMA. © Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts / ARS, New York. Photo: Ian Reeves.
Proto-Renaissance Art
As mentioned in Art History 101: The Renaissance , we can trace the very beginnings of the Renaissance
Leonardo's Diet
Increasingly, one sees Leonardo da Vinci's name trotted out during vegetarian v. omnivore debates. Leonardo
Do-It-Yourself Marilyn Monroe Coloring Page
There is no wrong way to go when choosing your own Marilyn color scheme. In fact, Andy Warhol revisited his 'Marilyn Series' several times and made some rather curious choices of his own (think: pumpkin, black-brown and lime green). One is left supposing that your Do-It-Yourself Marilyn could undergo the star treatment with some glitter, sequins and, possibly, a few glued-on feathers.
Glossary: "symmetry"
Symmetry is what occurs when one side of something balances out or mirrors the other.
ready-made
ready-made
Dogs Fighting, 1620-40
Pauwel (Paul) de Vos (Flemish, 1591/92 or 1595-1678). Dogs Fighting, 1620-40. Oil on canvas. 115.5 x 172.5 cm. © State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg.
Deb's Unofficial Guide
Deb R. Fuller, museum professional, graciously and generously shares excellent advice for those seeking to break into the business.
Claude Monet
A biographical profile of Claude Monet (1840-1926), French Impressionist painter.
tint
A tint is a color to which white has been added to make it lighter.
Abstraction
An artwork that does not represent or depict a being, place or thing; or a simplified, generalized depiction of a being, place or thing.
Action Painting
Abstract artworks that emphasize the process of or gesture in the creative act through various techniques of application, including dripping, smearing and flinging paint.

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