Image title: Man Born to Toil, from The Reward of Labour and Diligence, plate 1 Medium: Engraving, second state of four (New Hollstein) Date: 1572 Source: The Met Collection “ From wonder into wonder existence opens. ” — Laozi Visualizing Philosophy: Explorations of Existence in Art Introduction: Art Read more…
Image title: Bell Medium: Gold Date: 900–1520 CE Source: The Met Collection “ First comes thought; then organization of that thought, into ideas and plans; then transformation of those plans into reality. The beginning, as you will observe, is in your imagination. ” — Napoleon Hill Ink and Iron: Read more…
Image title: Leaf from a Beatus Manuscript: the Sixth Angel Delivers the Four Angels that had been Bound at the River Euphrates; an Altar Appears in the Heavens as the Enthroned Christ Raises His Hand in Blessing Medium: Tempera, gold, and ink on parchment Date: ca. 1180 Source: The Met Read more…
Image title: Antique Scene, Sacrifice with Bacchantes, Ancient Sculpture Medium: Aquatint, etching, and crayon manner engraving with blue printed border Date: 1791 Source: The Met Collection “ The older I get the more wisdom I find in the ancient rule of taking first things first. A process which often Read more…
Image title: “‘A Molted Cicada Shell’ (Utsusemi): Soga Gorō Tokimune,” from the series Scenes amid Genji Clouds Matched with Ukiyo-e Pictures (Genji-gumo ukiyo e-awase) Medium: Woodblock ōban print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper Date: ca. 1845–61 Source: The Met Collection “ Be slow of tongue and quick of Read more…
Image title: Vanitas Still Life Medium: Oil on wood Date: 1603 Source: The Met Collection “ One secret of success in life is for a man to be ready for his opportunity when it comes. ” — Benjamin Disraeli Coded Canvases: The Secret Language of Symbolism in Dutch Still Read more…
“ I’m not interested in age. People who tell me their age are silly. You’re as old as you feel. ” — Elizabeth Arden Decoding Desire: The Symbolism of Food in Dutch Golden Age Still Lifes Introduction: The Lustrous Lure of Still Lifes The 17th century, often heralded as Read more…
“ In action a great heart is the chief qualification. In work, a great head. ” — Arthur Schopenhauer The Great Copycats: Plagiarism vs. Tribute in Medieval Manuscript Illumination Introduction: Shadows Amid Candlelight Under the flickering lamplight of monastic scriptoria, medieval artists huddled over parchment, their quills moving in Read more…
“ If with a pure mind a person speaks or acts, happiness follows them like a never-departing shadow. ” — The Buddha The Art That Watches You Back: Portraits with a Gaze That Follows Through History Introduction: The Uncanny Allure of the Watching Portrait There is a singularly strange Read more…
“ Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it. ” — George Santayana Lost Colors: The Vibrant Hues That Disappeared from Art History Introduction: The Mystery of Missing Colors Walk through any great museum and you’re likely to be dazzled by the riot of colors on Read more…