Archive for Category: Insights

Today, we highly value the self-portrait and almost take its existence for granted, but this was not always the case. Like other genres, it has evolved over time. The seeds of this particular artistic category were sown during the Renaissance, an era of great cultural renewal that brought the self-portrait into the limelight in new forms that are still admired today.

“An overwhelming, hallucinatory beauty”, “so beautiful it hurts”: there are several expressions like these or similar in common language. In these sayings, the aesthetic aspect of something or someone seems to have an almost harmful effect on the viewer. Sure, these are hyperbolic phrases, but there is a phenomenon that is not far from what they describe: Stendhal syndrome.
Let’s see what it is about.

What kind of character did Michelangelo have? What is Van Gogh’s story? And how did Pollock achieve success? Movies often reveal little-known aspects or events and offer new interpretations of the personalities and lives of even the most famous artists. The relationship between cinema and art is long and prolific: in this article, we have selected 10 titles that should be in the filmography of any enthusiast of the genre.

The Devil has always assumed multiple forms in art, influenced by different traditions and cultural references, even among artists of the same era. The evolution of this essential figure (Evil opposing Good) is multifaceted and not always consistent.

In this article, we will analyze some of the prominent and easily recognizable traits of the Devil, concluding with a captivating and convincing interpretation.

Art and childhood? A perfect combination, even when it comes to gifts! Games, books, and objects can help young ones learn about and recognize works and artists, memorize dates and historical facts, discover past lifestyles and diverse cultures, all while having fun. It’s a stimulus for learning and creativity.

Our shop offers many gift ideas for those who want to encourage their children and teens to love art.

How is food depicted in art? And with what meanings? What stories does it tell?

It is certainly not possible to exhaust such a rich subject in a single article, however, let’s try to retrace together the main representations of food in art, with, but not exclusive, attention to the Cinquecento.

Understanding and appreciating an artwork goes beyond knowing its author, subject, and the era it comes from. There’s a fourth element that’s just as crucial: the technique. It’s not merely about categorizing a piece as a painting or a sculpture; one must delve into the specifics – what materials were used, the surfaces worked upon, and the tools employed.

This holds particularly true for oil painting, a practice that, from its inception during the Renaissance, has significantly altered the course of art history.

Getting to know the lives and personalities of artists, beyond just their creations, deepens our comprehension and enriches our interpretation of their eras.
We’ve curated a selection of the most illustrious disputes between artists – across all ages – some of which are connected to masterpieces that we can still admire today, in a celebration of the artists as passionately as the art they produced.

Museum visits often transport us through time as we stand captivated by the artwork, we inevitably engage in an exercise of interpretation. Deciphering the subjects and scenes, especially when it comes to saints, isn’t always straightforward.
The attributes, postures, and life events of these holy figures have grown distant from modern understanding, leaving us at times perplexed by the art’s message, which might strike us as peculiar or unconventional.
It’s ironic when you think about it – during the Middle Ages and beyond, saintly iconography was a standardized and widely understood visual language, serving as an instructional aid in religious teachings.
Mastering the art of identifying these key figures doesn’t just mean pinpointing the main theme of a painting; it’s about unlocking the symbolic narratives woven into the canvas.
This concise guide takes you through the tales and trademark belongings of some of the most frequently depicted saints, whose depictions continue to spark wonder and intrigue.

Italian gardens stand alongside architecture, painting, and sculpture as one of the Renaissance’s most enduring legacies. These gardens are celebrated for their harmonious balance and refined elegance, embodying a cultural heritage and detailed aesthetic pursuit that sought to express itself through the orchestrated arrangement of nature.
As with all things, time has shaped the Italian Garden, which has adapted and changed, obscuring some of its original design. Yet, by understanding its beginnings and distinctive characteristics, we can still trace and appreciate the essence of its early splendor.