Albrecht Durer was born on May 21, 1471 in Nuremburg. He was one of about eighteen children, and so, as could be expected, the family was in a bit of a financial crunch. But Albrecht and his brother, Albert, both dreamed of becoming artists; and … Continue readingThe Praying Hands by Albrecht Durer
Jacob Jordaens was born on May 19, 1593 in Antwerp. He was best known for his historical paintings. He was among the most renowned Flemish Baroque painters of his era, only after Peter Paul Rubens and Anthony van Dyck. He stayed in his country for his … Continue readingAs the Old Sing, So the Young Pipe by Jacob Jordaens
I don’t know if you made it all the way through that title. I had to include the whole thing, because my mom used to read Howard Pyle‘s King Arthur books to my siblings and me, but the whole plot was always revealed in the … Continue readingHow Sir Galahad, Sir Bors and Sir Percival Were Fed with the Sanct Grael; but Sir Percival’s Sister Died by the Way by Dante Gabriel Rossetti
Sylvester is going to take us to Florence today. Get ready for the gelato! Florence, in addition to being responsible for lots of great dessert today, is also home of some of the greatest art in the world. It’s particularly famous for Renaissance art. In … Continue readingHoly Trinity by Masaccio
Theodor Kittelson was born on April 27, 1857. He is one of Norway’s most beloved artists, and he was skilled as a painter and an illustrator. He loved to illustrate fairy tales, and he was particularly inspired when he could be surrounded by nature. His … Continue readingUp in the Hills a Clarion Call Rings Out by Theodor Kittelson
Eugène Delacroix was born on April 26, 1798 in France. A Romantic artist, he was considered to be the leader of the French Romantic school. His style was of loose, colorful expressive brush strokes, and he loved exotic subject matter. He was inspired by Rubens, … Continue readingOrphan Girl at the Cemetery by Eugène Delacroix
Ludovico Carracci was born on April 21, 1555 in Bologna. He was an early Baroque artist. He painted religious subjects and is known for the emotion his works emanate. Below are shown some of his works, Christ in the Wilderness, Served by Angels; Madonna and Child … Continue readingThree Angels Visiting Abraham by Ludovico Carracci
If the Duke asks you to design a prayer book…well, you’ll definitely be designing a prayer book. The Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry is the most famous example of French Gothic manuscript illumination. Commissioned by the Duke of Berry and painted by the … Continue readingTrès Riches Heures du Duc de Berry
Leonardo da Vinci was born on April 15, 1452 in Vinci, Italy. (At that time, it was Vinci, the Republic of Florence.) He was one of the greatest artists of the Italian High Renaissance, and his skills included painting, sculpting, inventing, architecture, math, science, music, … Continue readingThe Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci
Imagine the feelings of liberation that would well up inside you when you remembered something someone did that freed you. Imagine when you walk out into a fresh spring breeze after being cooped up inside, stifled after a long winter, almost forgetting what it’s like … Continue readingHaggadah: Now We Are Free