Before Monet Painted Sunrises, He Was a Street Caricaturist Mocking Locals

Art History

Before Monet Painted Sunrises, He Was a Street Caricaturist Mocking Locals

This edition of "Art Bites" follows how the artist sketched satirical cartoons before he discovered Impressionism.

By Sofia Hallström, 15 hours ago

Art History

The 19th-Century Painting That Made Ridley Scott Give the Thumbs Up to ‘Gladiator’

"Whatever the script is, we’ll get it right. I’m doing this movie."

By Tim Brinkhof, Dec 16, 2024

Art World

This Snowman Never Melts—Here’s How Two Artists Pulled It Off

Move over, Frosty! Here's the story of the art world's most famous weatherproof snowman, courtesy of the Swiss duo Fischli and Weiss.

By Tim Brinkhof, Dec 14, 2024

Art History

How Lynda Benglis Shocked the Art World With Her Provocative ‘Artforum’ Ad

This edition of "Art Bites" unpacks how "Artforum Advertisement" once sent editors, readers, and feminists into a tizzy.

By Vittoria Benzine, Nov 9, 2024

Art History

Who Was Ida Hammershøi, the Unseen Muse of a Danish Master?

This edition of 'Art Bites' sheds light on Vilhelm Hammershøi mysterious wife.

By Tim Brinkhof, Oct 30, 2024

Art World

Bob Ross Once Painted Entirely in Gray for Colorblind Fans

"Art Bites" brings you a surprising fact, lesser-known anecdote, or curious event from art history.

By Vittoria Benzine, Oct 28, 2024

Art World

The Surprising Origin of Salvador Dalí’s Luscious Mae West Sofa

Dalí considered the American film star the ultimate sex symbol.

By Richard Whiddington, Oct 26, 2024

Art History

How Two Artists Built a Prada Store in the Middle of the Desert

“It’s almost like being a parent who experienced children growing up and going a direction they never intended,” Elmgreen said of the project.

By Vittoria Benzine, Oct 26, 2024

Art History

The Woman Who Made Van Gogh Famous

In this edition of "Art Bites," we explore how Jo van Gogh realized that Vincent's personal story was as compelling as his paintings.

By Richard Whiddington, Oct 19, 2024

Art World

Art Bites: The Met’s Record-Setting Price for a Very Small Painting

"All our greatest pictures," said a curator, "are small pictures."

By Emily Steer, Oct 12, 2024

Art World

Art Bites: Did Disney Give Robin Williams a Fake Picasso?

The gift was meant to smooth over an argument, but its origins remain unsubstantiated.

By Vittoria Benzine, Sep 21, 2024

Art World

Art Bites: Why Was Sigmund Freud So Obsessed With Leonardo da Vinci?

The psychoanalyst described the artist as being of the "obsessive brooding" type.

By Richard Whiddington, Sep 18, 2024

Art History

Art Bites: Could Monet See Into the Ultraviolet Spectrum?

At the twilight of his career, Monet was going blind. Surgery restored his eyesight. But did it give him the uncanny vision of an insect?

By Adnan Qiblawi, Sep 18, 2024

Art World

Art Bites: How One Man’s Handmade Architectural Marvel Altered the L.A. Skyline

The Watts Towers, were constructed from scrap metal and found objects. The spires are architectural marvels and monumental testaments of human ingenuity, outsider art, and vision.

By Adnan Qiblawi, Sep 15, 2024

Art World

Art Bites: Mary Cassatt, Painter of Mothers, Was Not a Fan of Mother’s Day

Cassatt was a trailblazing painter even if her subject matter was traditional.

By Richard Whiddington, Sep 12, 2024