Art History

November 24, 2023

Long-Unseen ‘Water Lilies’ Painting by Monet Sells for $74 Million

.0 Claude Monet's dreamy paintings of water lilies are some of the most recognizable works of art ever created. The series Water Lilies depicts scenes from Monet's garden and pond at Giverny in France, rendered in expressive blends of blues, greens, and purples. However, while many can be viewed in Paris's Musée de l'Orangerie, others are less well known.

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November 5, 2023

2,700-Year-Old Ancient Assyrian Lamassu Statue Is Excavated in Iraq

Historical artifacts offer a glimpse into the past. However, their existence is constantly at risk—especially those not housed in museums. Ancient artifacts have had a particularly volatile past few decades in the Middle East due to political and religious conflict, as well as widespread looting. The recent excavation of an ancient Assyrian lamassu statue is a reminder of these tenuous circumstances, as the story of its reburying is told.

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October 29, 2023

Hokusai’s Book of 19th-Century Woodblock Prints Celebrates Japanese and Chinese Warriors

The definition of a hero ranges widely depending on the place, time, and who you ask. For children, it might be their mom, a firefighter, or an athlete. In nineteenth-century Japan, warriors were idolized, inspiring the book Wakan ehon sakigake. Translated as “Picture Book of Chinese and Japanese Warriors,” this stunning work was illustrated by the Japanese Edo-period artist Katsushika Hokusai.

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My Modern Met

Celebrating creativity and promoting a positive culture by spotlighting the best sides of humanity—from the lighthearted and fun to the thought-provoking and enlightening.