Paintings

What Makes an Artist Great? Curator Scott Schaefer on Vermeer

Johannes Vermeer is a beloved artist. Is he also a great one?

Annelisa Stephan | February 20, 2013

Vermeer's newly arrived Woman in Blue Reading a Letter seems calmly at home in our galleries—but introduces a distinctive new presence.

Anne Woollett | February 18, 2013

"A feeling of surprise, even disbelief, that someone so unique could have remained unknown to us for so long."

Annette Leddy | February 11, 2013

What do you think the first line of this letter might say? Share your ideas.

Anne Martens | February 8, 2013

Why the manuscript illuminations in Florence at the Dawn of the Renaissance really rock.

Karen Trentelman | February 1, 2013

A horse, a salmon, lizards, and the cross of Calvary—learn to decipher coats of arms!

Bryan C. Keene | January 10, 2013

Panel paintings conservator Aleksandra Hola reveals the process of conserving a 14th-century painting.

Aleksandra Hola | January 8, 2013

José Gil de Castro created iconic images of Latin America’s heroes of independence.

Katie Underwood | December 7, 2012

Robocop an art historian? Yes! Peter Weller answers questions about Italian Renaissance art.

Alexandria Sivak | November 28, 2012

Florentians feverishly bought art from hot brands of the day—Giotto and Pacino.

Bryan C. Keene | November 27, 2012

Bad dog! Jumping, barking, pulling, hogging, guarding, as captured in art.

Annelisa Stephan | November 23, 2012

The Florentine painter helped to usher in the Italian Renaissance

Bryan C. Keene | October 15, 2012