Articles

Ambrosius Bosschaert the Elder, Flower Still Life, 1614 via Wikipedia

Julian Ashford

Decoding Hidden Messages in Dutch Still-Life Pa...

17th-century Dutch still-life paintings used hidden symbols to reflect themes of mortality, materialism, and life's fleeting beauty.

Théodore Géricault, The Raft of Medusa, 1818-19 via Wikipedia

Jesslyn Low

Depictions of Disasters

Artists have depicted disasters through diverse methods, offering insight into suffering, fostering empathy, and inspiring action in times of crisis.

This artist's impression illustrates how high-speed jets from a supermassive black hole would look. (Image credit: ESA/Hubble, L. Calçada (ESO))

Madelyn Kenney

The Art of the Universe: How Artists Render Our...

Artists and scientists blend data and creativity to reveal unseen realms of space, making complex cosmic wonders accessible and awe-inspiring.

Venus figurines; Natural History Museum Vienna

Jesslyn Low

Are They Really Venus?

Ancient female figurines from the Upper Paleolithic period have historically been given the name Venus—but this interpretation is outdated and unfounded.

Klimt, Hope II, 1907-08 via Wikipedia

Jesslyn Low

Where are the Pregnant Women in Art?

The rarity of pregnant women in art stems from cultural and historical factors, evolving from taboo subjects to symbols of modern empowerment.

Helter Skelter in the Courtroom via DeMilked

Madelyn Kenney

The Art of Judicial Sketches

Judicial sketch art connects the public to court proceedings by capturing raw emotions, offering deeper engagement than photos alone.

Carlos Martiel, Ciudad via artist website

Jesslyn Low

Bury Yourself in Art

Artists have explored being buried alive, merging discomfort and fear into their art. From Keith Arnatt to Mike Parr, discover their intense works.

Jasper Johns, Three Flags via the Whitney Museum of American Art

Emma Segrest

Patriotism in Art

Nationalism prioritizes a country's interests, while patriotism is diverse love and pride celebrated in art, reflecting America's unity.

Sacha Jafri working on the world's largest painting at 17,000 square feet, Pyong Sumaria, 2020 via Art News; Sold for $62 million in 2021

Madelyn Kenney

Art and Scale

Artists choose canvas sizes to showcase their skills; large works like murals or Pollock's convey powerful messages and techniques.

Vincent Van Gogh, The Drinkers, 1953, Art Institute of Chicago via Wikidata

Taylor Hunt

Art and Alcohol

Alcohol and art are linked, with artists depicting its effects from magical allure to lonely addiction, often highlighting the tortured artist trope.