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Aesthetic Values
Without Étienne-Joseph-Théophile Thoré, the genius of the Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer would have been lost to time.
Is the dumpster in the alley worthy of a poem?
We all see beauty the same way.
"Carpe diem" was only one part of Horace's poem Odes 1.11.
The value of art does not lie in the artwork itself but is instead determined by curators, collectors, critics, and other participants in the modern-day art market.
Million Stories
Like his "Mona Lisa," Leonardo da Vinci's "Lady with an Ermine" depicts a woman in a way that flouted the conventions of its time.
Which one is the funniest?
When the great American tradition of the road trip meets the great Jewish tradition of the deli, we get the Great American Deli Schlep.
It might seem petty and shallow to get upset over a bad gift, but there's often a deeper reason behind the feeling.
Modernism has lasted longer than any art movement since the Renaissance.
We could even benefit from more whataboutisms — if they're used properly.
Successful forgers are remembered as great conmen, not artists. This is strange, considering their forgeries fooled even the most seasoned critics.
Perfectionism is on the rise, and its consequences for mental health can be devastating. The Japanese philosophy of "wabi sabi" can help.
Rare and costly paints have shaped art history in unforeseen ways. Mummy brown caused one artist to bury his paint.
In the philosophy of Star Wars, the Sith are evil because they surrender to passion. But is a life of total rationality a “good” life?
Is "The Garden of Earthly Delights" by Hieronymus Bosch a condemnation of sin or a celebration of hedonism? Art historians still aren’t sure.
When you're a genius, how do you make ends meet?
The chemistry of cooking over an open flame.
Bernini created art for 8 different popes. In the process, he helped reinforce and redefine Christianity’s visual culture.
Paintings played an important role in these ancient civilizations. Unfortunately, pigment is not nearly as durable as marble.
Mathematics and religion both embody awe-inspiring, eternal truths.
John Templeton Foundation
Independent of cultural background, people seem to share a sense of what makes certain color combinations aesthetically pleasing.
Frank Slater’s book "Practical Portrait Painting" reveals the secrets of masters old and new, from Leonardo da Vinci to Augustus John.
Successful romantic relationships require desire, but that desire doesn't have to be sexual.
Time for a status check before watching "Moon Knight."
Many people perceive the struggle to understand our Universe as a battle between science and God. But this is a false dichotomy.
From Brahms to Tchaikovsky, here's a curated list of composers whose music has shaped the classical canon.
Beautiful people really know how to catch a break.
People who visit Florence seem strangely susceptible to Stendhal syndrome, which is blamed on an overwhelming sense of awe.