Articles

Unknown, Winged Victory of Samothrace, c. 190 BCE, marble, Louvre. Photo: muratart via Shutterstock via My Modern Met

Lena Whitmore

Myth Meets Medium: How Mythology Shaped Ancient...

Explore how Greek myths shaped ancient art through sculpture, pottery, and painting, blending storytelling with timeless cultural symbols.

Edward Hopper, Nighthawks, 1942 via Art Institute of Chicago

Elise Marlowe

How to Analyze a Painting: Composition, Color, ...

Learn how to analyze a painting through subject, composition, color, and context, with a step-by-step guide and a full case study example.

Sandro Botticelli, Primavera, c. 1470s–1480s via Wikipedia/Public Domain

Adrian Mercer

Art as Propaganda: From Medici Florence to the ...

Art has long served as a tool of persuasion. From the Medici Florence to the Ottoman court, rulers and patrons used images to project power and faith.

Basquiat, Jailbirds, 1983. Courtesy of the estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat via NPR

Hugo Merz

Why Basquiat Still Defines Today’s Global Art M...

Jean-Michel Basquiat remains the benchmark for contemporary art in 2025, with record sales, cultural impact, and a market that continues to grow.

Raphael, The School of Athens, 1509–1511 via My Modern Met

Sable Monroe

Essential Paintings Every Art History Student M...

Discover 13 essential paintings that appear on exams, essays, and museum visits. Learn why each masterpiece matters and the iconic details to spot.

Peter Paul Rubens, The Elevation of the Cross, 1610–1611 via Wikipedia/Public Domain

Sebastian Moore

Beginner’s Guide to Recognizing Major Art Movem...

Learn to identify major movements in art history through color, brushwork, and composition, from the Renaissance to Abstract Expressionism.

Robert Mapplethorpe, Ken Moody and Robert Sherman, 1984 © 2025 Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation via Artsy

Rowan Whit

Robert Mapplethorpe: Elegance and Provocation i...

Robert Mapplethorpe’s photography merged elegance, intimacy, and controversy, creating a legacy that continues to influence artists today.

Mary Cassatt, The Boating Party, 1893–94 via National Gallery of Art

Clara V. Leone

For the Love of Color: 10 Joyful Masterpieces i...

Discover ten vibrant masterpieces that celebrate the beauty of bold palettes and playful color, from Hockney and Matisse to Delaunay and Gauguin.

Gustav Klimt, The Tree of Life,1909. Photo by Getty Images via artnet news

Lena Whitmore

If You Like Gustav Klimt, You’ll Love These Art...

Drawn to Gustav Klimt’s gold, pattern, and sensual beauty? These artists capture the same spirit through symbolism, elegance, and dreamy allure.

Yoko Ono, Cut Piece via Singulart

Miles Avery

The Power of Motion: Artists Who Embraced Actio...

Discover how artists from Pollock to Yoko Ono turned movement into meaning and turned painting into performance in the bold world of action painting.