Harmony in Blue and Gold: The Peacock Room, designed by James McNeill Whistler, 1876-77.
Whistler was asked by the room’s owner to paint the room to compliment the painting that Whistler had done that is seen over the fireplace. When the owner returned he was stunned and horrified at what Whistler had done. Luckily, he did not destroy it and the room is now found at the Freer Gallery in Washington D.C.
Taizoki (Womb World) of Ryokai Mandara, Early Heian period, Japan.
Made of 12 zones that represent the world of Buddha with the figure in the middle being the Cosmic Buddha. There are more than 400 figures in the surrounding areas including deities, animals and spirits.
William Blake, Infant Joy, From the Songs of Innocence, 1789.
‘I have no name;
I am but two days old.’
What shall I call thee?
‘I happy am,
Joy is my name.’
Sweet joy befall thee!
Pretty joy!
Sweet joy, but two days old.
Sweet joy I call thee:
Thou dost smile,
I sing the while;
Sweet joy befall thee!
War Helmet, Tlingit, Alaska, 1888-1893.
Made by a group of Native Americans from the coast of SE Alaska this expressive helmet would no doubt startle their enemies.
Andreas Gursky, 99 Cent, 1999.
The photograph has been manipulated to enhance the consumer experience, removing shadows, adding a mirror to the ceiling, repeating the images, and removing the shoppers.
Man in a House beneath a Cliff by Shitao.
I love how abstract this is yet, the scene is perfectly straightforward when you stop and look at it.
William Hogarth, The Marriage Contract, from the Marriage a la Mode series,1745, Tate Gallery, London.
Hogarth is known for his satire and was one of the most innovative artists of the 18th century. His art was made for the common man, largely to teach moral lessons.
Matthias Grunewald, The Isenheim Alterpiece (detail), c. 1510-15, Musee d’Unterlinden, Colmar, France.
A shrine with two moveable wings, the Isenheim Altarpiece contains some of the most fascinating creatures ever portrayed.
Interior with a Girl at the Clavier by Wilhelm Hammershoi.
Hammershoi’s use of crisp clean interiors with natural light recalls the 17th century work of fellow Dutch artist, Johannes Vermeer. Hammershoi’s model is his wife Ida whom he painted many times either from the back or in profile.
Your Daily Art 