Art History 101

Image title: Deity figure Medium: Pyroxene jadeite Date: 200–600 CE Source: The Met Collection   “ The universe is made of stories, not atoms. ” — Muriel Rukeyser Myths Reimagined: The Intersection of Ancient Stories and Contemporary Art   Chapter 1: The Timeless Allure of MythMyths are the narratives that […]

Image title: Man Born to Toil, from The Reward of Labour and Diligence, plate 1 Medium: Engraving, second state of four (New Hollstein) Date: 1572 Source: The Met Collection   “ From wonder into wonder existence opens. ” — Laozi Visualizing Philosophy: Explorations of Existence in Art   Introduction: Art […]

Image title: Bell Medium: Gold Date: 900–1520 CE Source: The Met Collection   “ First comes thought; then organization of that thought, into ideas and plans; then transformation of those plans into reality. The beginning, as you will observe, is in your imagination. ” — Napoleon Hill Ink and Iron: […]

“ Myths which are believed in tend to become true. ” — George Orwell The Mythology Machine—AI Generated Myths Through Artwork   In an era where technology intertwines seamlessly with art, the rise of artificial intelligence has ushered in an unprecedented realm of creativity—AI-generated myths. These digital narratives, woven with […]

Image title: Landscape; a small island with two trees surrounded by water on the left; a tree by a cottage on the right Medium: Pen and brown ink on paper set into blue paper mat Date: ca. 1793–94 Source: The Met Collection   “ Age does not protect you from […]

Image title: Siren Medium: Bronze Date: ca. 1600 Source: The Met Collection   “ In seed time learn, in harvest teach, in winter enjoy. ” — William Blake Sculpting Reality: Analyzing AI’s Emerging Role in Contemporary Sculpture   1. The Intersection of Tradition and Innovation Throughout history, sculpture has served […]

Image title: Mona Lisa (La Joconde) Medium: Engraving Date: 1820–60 Source: The Met Collection   “ Peace begins with a smile. ” — Mother Teresa Mona Lisa Revisited: The Enigmatic Smile Through AI’s Lens   Mona Lisa, Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece, has intrigued audiences for centuries with her elusive smile […]

Image title: Leaf from a Beatus Manuscript: the Sixth Angel Delivers the Four Angels that had been Bound at the River Euphrates; an Altar Appears in the Heavens as the Enthroned Christ Raises His Hand in Blessing Medium: Tempera, gold, and ink on parchment Date: ca. 1180 Source: The Met […]

Image title: Emperor Antoninus Pius Medium: Bronze, partially oil-gilt, silver inlay, on serpentinite socle Date: 1519–24 Source: The Met Collection   “ Pitching is the art of instilling fear. ” — Sandy Koufax The Unseen Brushes of War: How Conflict Shapes Art Practice   Chapter 1: Carvings of Conflict: Ancient […]

Image title: Antique Scene, Sacrifice with Bacchantes, Ancient Sculpture Medium: Aquatint, etching, and crayon manner engraving with blue printed border Date: 1791 Source: The Met Collection   “ The older I get the more wisdom I find in the ancient rule of taking first things first. A process which often […]