Category Archives: Famous Art

Four Seasons – in Art & Life (Arcimboldo)

This time of year we are once again keenly aware of the changing seasons. Italian painter, Arcimboldo, was known for creating imaginative portrait heads of produce such as in his series “Four Seasons” Spring is my favorite! Read more on my blog to Celebrate the 1st day of Spring!

Time – and the Calendar – in Art & Life (Limbourgh Bros’ Book of Hours)

The “Book of Hours of the Duke of Berry…” by the Limbourgh brothers, Gothic France (1400s) was selected because it represents TIME. This week 26 (01 September 2020) of the COVID-19 pandemic marks 1/2 of a 52 week year. A Book of Hours was a popular type of devotional pray book with text for each liturgical hour of the day, plus calendar, prayers psalms and masses. It also included the astrological signs appropriate for each of the 12 months.

Masks Required – in Art & Life (Ensor)

Masks: to protect us–to hide our true identity–to present an image? The artist’s message in this painting is an indictment of immorality of modern life in 1889. I would add that indictment is also for 2020. (James Ensor “Christ’s Entry into Brussels in 1899”)

The Thinker. . . and the Start of School! Art & Life (Rodin)

As we approach another school year (September 2020), Rodin’s famous sculpture “The Thinker” comes to mind to symbolize what one should be doing in school! But…did you know that there is more than one “The Thinker?” And in different sizes? And out of different materials? After you read my post, you can feel a bit more culturally literate on this iconic sculpture!

Social Distancing in Art: Paris style! (Seurat)

Social Distancing: Paris style! As we Minnesotans enjoy our 10,000+ lakes and rivers during the summer, trying to social distance, this painting came to mind! These Parisians, in little clusters on the River Seine on a “Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte” are using perfect social distancing, although I doubt that is what the artist intended!

Summer Road Trips: Coming & Going in Art & Life (Rockwell)

Americans on the move. Road trips. This summer, after being cooped up during the endless spring shutdown, and not wanting to risk air travel, many families are taking road trips such as were popular after WWII. Rockwell portrayed one such trip in “Coming & Going” asking the eternal question: “Are we there yet?”

Morning Glories – in Art & Life (O’Keeffe)

Twenty-two weeks into this 2020 COVID pandemic, I look for things that give me joy! Flowers such as these morning glories give me joy! This summer my flower garden is lush and colorful–and full of opportunity to give me much joy! O’Keeffe’s paintings of flowers are meant to provide joy to the viewer.

Hagia Sophia – Holy Wisdom??? (Art & Travel to Istanbul)

Since 1934, the Hagia Sophia has been a museum and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (1985) cherished by Christians and Muslims alike. For over 80 years, it has served as a monument of relative harmony and a symbol of the secularism that was a part of the foundations of the modern Turkish state.

4th of July = Fireworks. . . or not?? Art & Life (Whistler)

To celebrate the fireworks that we may NOT be seeing this 4th of July due to COVID-19 restrictions, I’m sharing an oil painting of a fireworks display on a foggy night in London by a well-known American artist, Whistler. I enjoy this painting because it reminds me the night sky just as the fireworks are dissolving into the atmosphere.