Civilizations
The Day of the Dead
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Landscape as Ideology
In Li Cheng's landscape art escapes the natural world.
In Li Cheng's landscape art escapes the natural world.
Flights of Fancy
In December 1942, a Jewish teacher brings art supplies to children held by Nazis.
In December 1942, a Jewish teacher brings art supplies to children held by Nazis.
Manet Twists the Conventions of Art
Edouard Manet created a masterpiece famed as a masterclass in visual subversion.
Edouard Manet created a masterpiece famed as a masterclass in visual subversion.
The Cognitive Revolution
The cognitive revolution stirred early humanity from its creative slumber.
The cognitive revolution stirred early humanity from its creative slumber.
The Most Enduring Art Form
Our compulsion to create images of ourselves is a defining artistic motif of humanity.
Our compulsion to create images of ourselves is a defining artistic motif of humanity.
The Lion Man
One of the oldest objects of an imaginary being ever discovered.
One of the oldest objects of an imaginary being ever discovered.
Mondrian's New Visual Language
In the autumn of 1914, Mondrian had an epiphany that would bring true abstraction.
In the autumn of 1914, Mondrian had an epiphany that would bring true abstraction.
The Multitudes of the Displaced
For artist Ai Weiwei, the calamity of our time is the disaster of the displaced.
For artist Ai Weiwei, the calamity of our time is the disaster of the displaced.
Art from Fiery Immolation
Some of the strongest contemporary art has the magical power of transformation.
Some of the strongest contemporary art has the magical power of transformation.
Three Aspects of the Absolute
Out of Hindu metaphysics comes the nearest visualisation you can get to of a trance.
Out of Hindu metaphysics comes the nearest visualisation you can get to of a trance.
Goya's Harmony and Chaos
Goya bares witness to the irrational forces unleashed by Napoleon's invasion of Spain.
Goya bares witness to the irrational forces unleashed by Napoleon's invasion of Spain.
Building the Suleymaniye Mosque
Mimar Sinar always felt destined for something greater than building bridges.
Mimar Sinar always felt destined for something greater than building bridges.
The Distinction Between Craft and Genius
The Renaissance creates a contrast between ars and invenio.
The Renaissance creates a contrast between ars and invenio.
The Madonna Di Loreto
In Rome, Caravaggio breaks the social and aesthetic rules of his generation.
In Rome, Caravaggio breaks the social and aesthetic rules of his generation.
Japan's 18th Century Commercial Art Revitalizes Color
Ukiyo-e demonstrated that every day transitory objects could be considered art.
Ukiyo-e demonstrated that every day transitory objects could be considered art.
Artemisia's Most Subversive Work
Artemisia rebels against any notion that women shouldn't speak until spoken to.
Artemisia rebels against any notion that women shouldn't speak until spoken to.
Nature Becomes the Story
Albrecht Altdorfer sidesteps religious conflict by using nature.
Albrecht Altdorfer sidesteps religious conflict by using nature.
The Protector of Civilization
A Syrian museum curator sacrificed his life trying to save artifacts in Palmrya.
A Syrian museum curator sacrificed his life trying to save artifacts in Palmrya.
An Early Step on the Road to Civilization
Cave paintings in Castillo Spain represent some of the first paintings made by humans.
Cave paintings in Castillo Spain represent some of the first paintings made by humans.
The Lady of Brassempouy
This 25,000 year-old sculpture found in France represents the dawn of the idea of beauty.
This 25,000 year-old sculpture found in France represents the dawn of the idea of beauty.
Recording Social Norms
Athenian vase painters recorded and then re-enforced ideas of what wives were meant to do.
Athenian vase painters recorded and then re-enforced ideas of what wives were meant to do.
The Sacred Mountain
A spectacular place where the symbolism of the sacred mountain is embodied in art.
A spectacular place where the symbolism of the sacred mountain is embodied in art.
New Forms of Spirituality
Art has found new ways to engage with our spiritual impulses.
Art has found new ways to engage with our spiritual impulses.
The Day of the Dead
The Conquistadors attempted to eradicate all traces of indigenous Mexican culture.
The Conquistadors attempted to eradicate all traces of indigenous Mexican culture.
Paving the Way for Maruyama Okyo's Masterpiece
"Cracked Ice" combines everything Okyo knew from both Eastern and Western traditions.
"Cracked Ice" combines everything Okyo knew from both Eastern and Western traditions.
Maria Sibylla's Encounter with the Natural World
Maria Sibylla's illustrations brought to light the true life cycle of insects.
Maria Sibylla's illustrations brought to light the true life cycle of insects.
Capturing Unspoiled Landscape
Thomas Cole regarded the US landscape as being what he called the undefiled work of Gods.
Thomas Cole regarded the US landscape as being what he called the undefiled work of Gods.
George Catlin's Indian Portraits
Despite his interest in portraiture, Catlin he said the Native Americans must perish.
Despite his interest in portraiture, Catlin he said the Native Americans must perish.
Otto Dix's Definitive Artistic Statement
Otto Dix and his generation had borne witness to the horrors of World War I.
Otto Dix and his generation had borne witness to the horrors of World War I.
Montezuma and Cortes
The riches intended to buy off the Spanish only intensified their lust for gold.
The riches intended to buy off the Spanish only intensified their lust for gold.