“Philosophy”, by Agostino di Duccio (ca 1418-1481), Chapel of the Muses and the Liberal Arts, Malatesta Temple, Rimini, Italy, 15th century.

#AgostinoDiDuccio #Philosophia #ItalianRenaissance

One of the art history facts that surprised my students this week is that the "Mona Lisa" is famous because she was stolen in 1911 from the Louvre by Vincenzo Peruggia so he could return her to Italy. The search for the "Mona Lisa," lasting until she was recovered in 1914, made her an internationally recognized painting that everyone had to see. There were genuinely shocked faces around the classroom - I think everyone was expecting me to explain something like why she's the greatest painting ever - so it was a really fun class!

And sure, before the theft art historians knew she was significant because she was a da Vinci, but she didn't have wider popular fame like she does today.

#Art #ArtHistory #DaVinci #MonaLisa #ItalianRenaissance #Renaissance

Mona Lisa in the style of the Van Gogh self-portrait recreation - wall art print poster

https://etsy.me/3LjOP3J

#monalisa #gioconda #monnalisa #joconde #vangogh #leonardodavinci #vincentvangogh #postimpressionist #postimpressionism #impressionism #recreation #portrait #italianrenaissance #buyintoart #renaissance #lisagherardini #wallart #poster #artprint

Libraries, both public and private, are essential components of human culture & creativity. Today I’m pulling some books off the St Brigid Press shelf to brush back up on the histories of type design & printing in the Italian Renaissance, as background for a new little printing project. It’s good to sit down with a cup of tea & these learned, inspiring friends again. (Shop Dog considers all this very boring.)

#Library #Libraries #TypeDesign #PrintingHistory #ItalianRenaissance #Letterpress

The main branch of the #Detroit Public #Library on Woodward Avenue in Detroit at night. The building, designed by architect Cass Gilbert in the #ItalianRenaissance style, opened in 1921. A #modern addition, designed by Cass Gilbert Jr., opened in 1963. #photography #cities #urbanism #midwest #rustbelt #Michigan #UnitedStates