Teco Vase, early 20th century, Terra Cotta Tile Works - Teco.
Teco's matte finishes and organic shapes have become synonymous with the Prairie School movement. Frank Lloyd Wright had them produce some of his designs.
Why Change a Good Thing
Garden Study of the Vickers Children by John Singer Sargent, Flint Institute of Arts.
This study is very similar in subject and lay-out to the finished painting entitled Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose which was painted the following year.
Keeping Track of Time
Aztec Calendar, National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City
Mistakenly identified as a calendar, this was a large stone used in sacrificial ceremonies. The Aztec calendar is based on 20 day signs, which are in turn each ruled by a god.
Star Dragon
Dragon of Marduk, Neo-Babylonian, Reign of Nebuchadnezzar II, Detroit Institute of Arts.
The Latin word for dragon, draco means both dragon and snake. This glazed brick representation of a dragon comes from Babylon of the fabled Hanging Gardens. The Staatliche Museen zu Berlin has recreated the Ishtar Gate which depicts many guardian animals, both mystical and real.
Painted Windows
2nd Style Roman Painting c.40-30 B.C., The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Second style combines naturalistic scenes with architectural elements. Perspective was not fully developed for roughly 1500 years, so what the scenes lacked in realism they made-up for in creativity and imagination.
Building Bridges
Woman with a Cat, 1921 by Fernand Léger, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, ©1999 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York/ADAGP, Paris
Léger's early study of architecture can be seen in the lines and lay-out of his paintings. His artwork is a bridge between the two worlds.
Too Close to the Sun
The Chariot of Apollo, c.1912 by Odilon Redon.
The Chariot of Apollo has been painted a number of different times throughout history, but Redon's version is probably the most ethereal. He was a member of the Symbolist movement.
Pre-Pre-Raphaelite
The Last of England by Ford Madox Brown, Tate Collection
Brown was a huge influence on the Pre-Raphaelites. He is often grouped together with them even though he was considerably older than them and had been working for years. He received his training in Belgium and Paris.
For the Birds
Saint Francis and the Birds, 1935 by Sir Stanley Spencer.
St. Francis seems to be given a comical take as he appears to admonish the heavens for giving him the admiration of the animals, in this particular case, birds. The model for St. Francis was the artist's father who is shown wearing a bathrobe rather than the monk's robe St. Francis would have worn.
A Banner Year
Wheatfield, 1888 by Vincent van Gogh.
1888 was a busy year for van Gogh he moved down to the South of France where he was energized by the subjects and the natural light, Gauguin came to stay with him which prompted the episode where he cut-off part of his ear, and his beloved brother Theo married.
Filled with Detail
The Battle of San Romano, c. 1450 by Paolo Uccello.
Uccello was fascinated with perspective and does his best to use "foreshortening" for the dead soldier in armor at the bottom of the piece, however it would be while before the technique would be fully understood and used less awkwardly.
Abstractions
Sleeping Muse, 1909-10 by Constantin Brancusi, The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Brancusi began training at a young age after running away from home. He eventually trained with Rodin before beginning his career as a sculptor. He went onto become one of the premier artists of the Abstract movement.
Namesake
Kashmir Paisley Shawl, 19th century, Spurlock Museum.
The Scottish weaving center in Paisley perfected copying the woven shawls of Kashmir. Eventually the typical design was named for the city.
Concentration
Thinker from the Gates of Hell, c.1880-1890 by Auguste Rodin.
It began as part of the monumental bronze doors that Rodin created called the Gates of Hell and although it is about 14 inches high in that context, his Thinker has taken on a life of it's own as one of the most famous statues ever created.
Home Office
Studio Reception Room, Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio, Oak Park IL.
Frank Lloyd Wright is the most famous American architect. His work changed the way Americans thought about the spaces they lived in and he continues to be a great influence today.
A Day at the Races
The Paddock at Ascot by Raoul Dufy.
What a beautiful view. The Paddock is the area of the racecourse incorporating the pre-parade ring, parade ring and winner's enclosure. Notice all the top hats and fancy clothes, that tradition lives on.
Walking in the Rain
Paris Street, Rainy Day, 1877 by Gustave Caillebotte.
An all time favorite of mine and a lot of visitors to the Art Institute of Chicago. I think it is probably the familiarity of the scene even if it is almost 150 years before today, a rainy street is a rainy street.
Red/Orange
Cottonwood Tassels, c.1943 by Gustave Baumann, multiple collections.
Baumann was a print maker who studied art at the Art Institute of Chicago and lived for a while on the east coast before settling in New Mexico. The print shop he set-up was very successful and he is considered one of the best color woodblock American artists.
May I Borrow Your Pen?
The Castlereagh Inkstand, 1818-1820, Paul Storr and Philip Rundell, London, The Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
This was a political gift given in recognition for the diplomatic and and negotiating skills of Viscount Castlereagh in negotiating alliances against Napoleon.
A Crowded Room
The Reception of Christopher Columbus by Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella, c.1830-1850 by Eugene Deveria.
Romantic painter on a grand scale of historical paintings. Considered a Romantic painter because of the scale, subjects, and emotion.