Category Archives: Discussion Topics
LAST Discussion Topic: Pollock’s Action Painting
The American Abstract Expressionist Jackson Pollock produced Number 1, 1950 (Lavender Mist), a prime example of Action Painting. This large canvas, nearly 7 x 10 feet, was painted on the ground using his infamous âdrip technique.â With carefully controlled movements, … Continue reading
Discussion Topic: Unpacking Picasso’s Les Demoiselles D’Avignon
Pablo Picassoâs Les Demoiselles DâAvignon is a masterpiece of western art in the collection at MoMA. Some have suggested Picassoâs painting is the most important work in Modern Art.  Picasso executed over a hundred sketches and preparatory studies before completing … Continue reading
Discussion Topic: Is the Art Market Out of Control?
Edvard Munch’s The Scream 1895 goes on the auction block Tuesday night, May 2, 2012, at Sotheby’s auction house in New York City. This picture is one of four versions of this iconic work of art. In the last two … Continue reading
The Exploration of African American culture.
Rashaad Newsome modern day take on heraldry, centuries of European tradition mashed up with hip hops latest traditions. It represents the peak of his work, history applied to side by side of high and pop art. Newsome is not just … Continue reading
Discussion Topic: Impossible Exhibitions, The Caravaggio Show
In Italy, there is a trend to launch âImpossible Exhibitionsâ for renowned artists, such as Raphael, Leonard, and Caravaggio. In these exhibitions, all the works of art produced by one artist are assembled together in a museum setting. Unfortunately, it … Continue reading
Discussion Topic: Bling! Rashaad Newsomeâs Heraldry
This week you will explore the work of contemporary artist Rashaad Newsome who mixes earlier art with popular culture. Read a recent New York Times article about Newsome and watch some videos about him, including one produced by the artist. Newsomeâs work … Continue reading
Discussion Topic: Virtual Michelangelo
Michelangelo painted the Sistine Ceiling in four years, 1508-1512. Read below an excerpt of Michelangeloâs biography by Giorgio Vasari (1511-1574), the first art historian.  Visit the Sistine Chapel with the modern art historians of SmartHistory.org in Second Life, a virtual environment. … Continue reading
Discussion Topic: Masaccio’s Illusionism
With the help of his friend Filippo Brunelleschi, Masaccio is often identified as the first artist to apply theories of linear perspective to painting. His perspectival masterpiece is the Holy Trinity in the church of Santa Maria Novella in Florence.  Watch the … Continue reading
The Focus of a Medieval Monastery
From what I come to understand is that a Medieval monastery consisted of a regular round of worship, reading, and manual labor. Every day from beginning to ending with services in the monastery church. In addition to their attendance at … Continue reading
A Medieval Monastery, the Plan of St. Gall
1- In the Middle Ages monks lived a life of constant obedience and respect for others but most of all, a life in the service of Christ. Upon being accepted as a member of a monastery they had to give … Continue reading
