feel-art-again

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The Earthly Delights of Heironymous Bosch

Heironymous Bosch's "Garden of Earthly Delights" may be one of the most studied works of art in the world, yet we still know very few definitive facts about the triptych or the man who painted it. At the request of readers Jodie and Nikki, though, I've gathered up the most interesting information I could find on the medieval Netherlandish artists and his masterpiece. 1. Heironymous Bosch (1450-1516) probably has more variations of his name than any other artist (or at least any... READ ON

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The Incomparable Rube Goldberg

The name Rube Goldberg is synonymous with machines that perform the simplest of everyday tasks in a complex and indirect manner—in fact, it is listed in the dictionary as an adjective with such a definition. But Rube Goldberg wasn't just an inventor; he was a cartoonist and sculptor, among other things. At the request of the boss himself, Jason English, today's post features Reuben Garret Lucius Goldberg (1883-1970). In the spirit of Goldberg, whose cartoons depicted many steps for a... READ ON

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Making Colors Sing: Wassily Kandinsky

At the request of readers Trena, Bob the Walrus, and Leo, today's "Feel Art Again" features Wassily Kandinsky (1866-1944). The Russian-German-French artist painted in several styles over the years, but he is most well-known for his abstract paintings featuring geometric shapes, such as "Yellow, Red, Blue" (1925). 1. Born and raised in Russia, Wassily Kandinsky left his native country for Germany around the age of 30 to study at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich. He... READ ON

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What's In a Name? Paolo Veronese

Today, my younger sister flew off to Italy for a semester in Florence. As a send-off to her, today's "Feel Art Again" features one of the great painters of the Italian Renaissance, Paolo Veronese (1528-1588). 1. Before becoming well-known as Paolo Veronese, the artist was known as Paolo Caliari. While all sources agree that the "Veronese" is due to the artist's birth in Verona, there is less agreement about whether Caliari was his family's last name. At least... READ ON

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The Gory Details of Edward Gorey

At the request of reader Karen I., today's "Feel Art Again" post features Edward St. John Gorey (1925-2000). The American illustrator and author was most well known for his rather macabre black and white illustrations, but considered himself an author first. The above work is a Gorey illustration from "Very Fine Clock" by Muriel Spark, one of some 60 works Gorey illustrated. (Gorey also wrote 100 of his own books.) 1. For 16 years of his life, Edward Gorey's parents... READ ON

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Feel Art Again returns!

On the eighth day of Christmas, mental_floss gave to me... eight reader requests! "Feel Art Again" was on hiatus for a month, but we're back today and better than ever! In the spirit of Christmas, to celebrate the New Year, and to get back in the swing of things, today's post is a gift to our readers: eight reader requests fulfilled. So enjoy the wide range of art today, and come back on Saturday for another fresh... READ ON

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Of Nuns & Balloons: Robert Vickrey

Two weeks ago, reader Andrea J. requested a post on the American artist Robert Vickrey, a favorite of hers. Not much information is available (online, at least) about Vickrey, but I've managed to round up a few highlights: 1. According to sources, Robert Vickrey created 78 covers for TIME magazine over the course of 11 years, from 1957 to 1968. Only 31 covers are available on the magazine's web site, though. Vickrey wrote a memoir titled Time Traveler about his stint working for TIME... READ ON

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The New Vision of LÃ¡szlÃ³ Moholy-Nagy

Today's artist, LÃ¡szlÃ³ Moholy-Nagy, is at the request of reader Lauren. The Hungarian-born artist passed away 62 years ago yesterday, but his influence on the art world is still felt today. 1. LÃ¡szlÃ³ Moholy-Nagy took a break from his law studies to serve as an officer in the Hungarian army during World War I. In 1917, though, his left thumb was shattered by shrapnel, resulting in an extensive hospital stay. Moholy-Nagy had begun drawing and writing poetry on the battlefield, and... READ ON

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The Flavor of Flavin

Since next Saturday will be the 12th anniversary of Dan Flavin's death, today's post features the American artist at the request of reader nikki. Flavin made a name for himself with fluorescent light sculptures, like "untitled" and "untitled (in honor of Harold Joachim) 3," both shown above. 1. A former altar boy, Dan Flavin "fondly recalled the ritual of the Mass as "˜rich in candlelight, music, chant, vestments, processions and incense.'"... READ ON

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Reader Request: Rodin

A year ago, Auguste Rodin was one of several artists discussed in the "November Artists" post for "Feel Art Again," as he was born on November 12, 1840, and passed away on November 17, 1917. Reader Ginny requested a more extensive post featuring his sculpture, so today we'll take another look at the French... READ ON