A little taste of history one morsel at a time
Happy Friday! Today on Museum Bites we’re paying tribute to the selfie, old-world style. Before smartphones and selfie sticks, artists painstakingly crafted self-portraits. These vintage selfies were more than just vanity, they were an inexpensive and handy means of experimentation. Join me for a look at a few favorites on display at the Art Institute of Chicago. We begin with the Other Gertrude…
The temperatures are rising and today on Museum Bites we’re staying cool with Robert Henri’s, The Beach Hat (1914). Painter, teacher, rebel, and champion of “art for life’s sake”, join me for a closer look at the life and work of this fascinating artist. First, let’s zoom in on the details…
Today on Museum Bites we’re continuing our walkabout through Normandy with a tour of The Bell Tower of Sainte Catherine, Honfleur (c1897). Gifted as a memento, forgotten in storage, and misattributed to a famous artist, this relatively unknown painting has a colorful past. Let’s zoom in for a closer look…
Today on Museum Bites we’re suiting up for battle in Part 2 of our look at headgear. Whether it be for fire or foe, some of the more unusual helmets and hats I’ve come across in my travels were created for combat.
Happy May Day! Today on Museum Bites, we’re kicking off the merry month of May with Zodiac (1896) by Alphonse Mucha. This delightful print began as a calendar, but its fresh, whimsical style helped define a new artistic movement. It is also an example of Mucha’s desire to make beautiful art available to not only the wealthy but the working class. Join me for a closer look at this fascinating print…
Today on Museum Bites we’re staying inside and reflecting on Interior with a Lady (1901) by Danish artist, Vilhelm Hammershøi (1864-1916). Simple and serene, Hammershøi invites us into his quiet, cozy home. Let’s step over the threshold and take a brief tour…
Today on Museum Bites we’re taking a midnight stroll through The Starry Night (1889), by Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890). Featured in countless selfies and plastered on purses and plates, mugs and magnets, as well as ties and tees, van Gogh’s dazzling night sky not only decorates our tchotchkes, it provides a glimpse into the Dutch artist's inner psyche. Join me for a brief look at the story behind this iconic painting.
Today on Museum Bites we’re taking a tour through the Minneapolis Institute of Art’s (MIA) fascinating collection of Japanese art. From wabi-sabi to wasabi, samurai to sushi, the Land of the Rising Sun has a rich and mighty history. Join me for a look at ancient bug helmets, delicate fans, weeping statues, and so much more. We begin with a dynamic duo…
Autumn is on the horizon and today on Museum Quick Bites we’re celebrating this crisp, colorful season with Sunny Autumn Day (1892) by George Inness. On display at the Cleveland Museum of Art, this gorgeous painting highlights Inness’ spiritual relationship with nature. Let’s roll the clock back to the 1890s and take a quick tour.
Today on Museum Quick Bites we’re stepping out with Edmund C. Tarbell’s, On Bos’ n’s Hill (1901). Beneath a parasol and wide-brimmed hat, Emeline, Tarbell’s wife, strikes an elegant pose in her Sunday clothes. Join me for a brief stroll through this lovely, turn-of-the-century painting.
