WTF Art History

WTF Art History

The Caganer: A Christmas Tradition

As Christmas approaches, many of us are probably decorating our homes for the holidays which will hopefully bring us some joy. One of the main...

Soledad Castillo Jara 24 December 2024

Dine & Wine

Fish Paintings for Christmas Eve Dinner

In many cultures, Christmas Eve dinner does not include any meat (excluding seafood) or alcohol because one should keep a vigil fasting and expect...

Magda Michalska 24 December 2024

Painting

The Best Time of the Year: Christmas in Art

To many of us, the Christian religious and cultural celebration called Christmas is surely one of our favorite times of the year. Burl Ives famously...

Pola Otterstein 23 December 2024

Dine & Wine

Cook Like an Artist! Kitchen Inspiration from Art History

For hundreds of years, kitchens in art were the undesirable work place of unsavory maids, tucked away below the luxurious living spaces of the upper...

Abreeza Thomas 23 December 2024

Masterpiece Stories

Masterpiece Story: Still Life with a Golden Goblet by Pieter de Ring

Why is food such a popular image for art and culture? For millennia it has been a source of inspiration from ancient Roman mosaics through Dutch...

James W Singer 22 December 2024

WTF Art History

5 Impressionist Gossips That Could Have Inspired a Soap Opera

I know, it is a bit rude to discuss private lives of people. But when it comes to the Impressionists, knowing their relationships, connections,...

Zuzanna Stańska 22 December 2024

Sport

Ice Skating Artwork—A Visual Journey on Ice

Ice skating is a beloved winter activity and I’ve been an avid participant (all year round) since I was a little girl. As such, I really enjoy...

Alexandra Kiely 20 December 2024

Masterpiece Stories

Two Shades of Love in Vermeer’s Paintings

Many of the paintings by Johannes Vermeer (Dutch, 1632–1675) focus on the theme of love. Some of them involve music, letters, or a glass of wine,...

Tom Anderson 16 December 2024

Animals

Secrets of Pets in Art

There’s nothing better than going to a museum and spotting a cute pet hidden in a painting. I mean, after all, one of art’s functions is...

Marta Wiktoria Bryll 16 December 2024

Carl Larsson, Christmas Eve, 1904. Watercolor. Wikimedia Commons. Painting

The Symbolism Behind Christmas Colors: Red, Green, Gold

It’s that magical time of year when everything feels festive. Lights twinkle everywhere, beautiful ornaments decorate homes, Christmas trees...

Errika Gerakiti 16 December 2024

Masterpiece Stories

Masterpiece Story: Breakfast of Birds by Gabriele Münter

Gabriele Münter (1877–1962) was a German Expressionist painter born in Berlin and most known for her landscapes and use of color. She developed a...

Heidi Werber 15 December 2024

Claude Monet, Magpie, 1868-69, Musée d'Orsay, Paris, France. Detail. Masterpiece Stories

Masterpiece Story: Magpie by Claude Monet

Magpie is a masterpiece by Claude Monet that captures the poetic play of light upon a winter landscape. It is a symphony of ivory and...

James W Singer 15 December 2024