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Henri Matisse

Art

Wonderful Tumblr Places Great Art in Ugly Rooms

By Reid Singer on

Whether you’re in a wood-splintering warehouse in Lubbock or a storefront in Beverly Hills with three security guards, it’s always fun to think about how art would look if you encountered it in an unexpected setting. Nearly four decades after Brian O’Doherty’s essay series Inside the White Cube ran in Artforum, the conversation about a gallery space’s effect on a work of art hasn’t so much died as it has fallen (occasionally) into dormancy. Though the name suggests otherwise, what’s great about Great Art in Ugly Rooms isn’t so much the art itself as the poignancy of seeing something recognizable (and probably very expensive) in a truly startling place. Then again, Recognizable Art in Ugly Rooms might not have the same zip to it. Here are a few keepers. … Read More

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Pets

Famous Artists Photographed With Their Cats

By Alison Nastasi on

Tracey Emin’s recent interview with the Daily Mail revealed that the divisive artist is currently working on sculptures of her cat — and that’s not a euphemism. “He’s a good little soul to have around. He stops me from feeling alone,” she said of her beloved pet, Docket. Artists have often looked to their feline friends for inspiration throughout history. The mewing muses were the gods of their own religion in ancient Egypt, and not much has changed since then. Everyone knows cats own the Internet (sorry, dogs). Click through to meet the kitten companions that have melted the hearts of famous… Read More

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Art

Personal Letters From Great Artists to Their Friends and Family

By Emily Temple on

Here at Flavorpill, we’re great fans of artistic ephemera, endlessly fascinated by everything from the journals of creative geniuses to postcards from famous authors. After all, once you’re famous, there’s just no way to keep your private papers out of the hands of the curious masses — not that we’re complaining: sometimes, the best way to learn about someone is to see the way they correspond to those closest to them. To that end, we’ve collected a few beautiful letters from great artists to their friends and family, each one as visually evocative as you’d expect. Take a look after the jump, and if we’ve missed a stellar letter, send it our way in the comments! … Read More

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Books

Check Out Henri Matisse’s Lovely Illustrations for ‘Ulysses’

By Caroline Stanley on

Fun fact: Back in 1935 an American publisher named George Macy paid Henri Matisse $5000 to create a series of etchings for a special edition of Ulysses. According to Open Culture, the story goes that the famed painter never even read Joyce’s massive book, even though he was given a French translation; rather,… Read More

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Art

Meet Susan Burns, Serial Art Attacker

By Caroline Stanley on

Do you think that it’s possible to be addicted to attacking famous works of art? It might seem like an odd question, but given the fact that Susan Burns was arrested last week for “attempting to rip” The Plumed Hat, a $2.5 million Henri Matisse oil painting, off the wall of the National Gallery of… Read More

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Art

Photo Gallery: Pioneers of Modern Art

By Paul Laster on

At the turn of the 20th century, Paris was the center of the art world. The first significant avant-garde art movement of the time took place in the studios of Matisse, Picasso, Derain, and their contemporaries, who liberated painting from the academic traditions. Two Moscow businessmen — Ivan Morozov and Sergey Shchukin — supported the experimental efforts of these visionaries and, in the process, assembled impressive collections of their works. … Read More

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Art

Madonnas, Pianos, Pigs, and Presidents: Masterpieces in Maastricht

By Paul Laster on

The annual art and antiques fair in Maastricht is arguably the grandest event of its kind in the world. Mixing ancient relics, coveted old master works, precious antiques, and prime examples of modern art and design in a stylishly designed hall — overflowing with colorful displays of roses and tulips — TEFAF Maastricht… Read More

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Art

Alma Thomas’ “Watusi” Gets the White House Kibosh

By Isis Madrid on

You may remember back in October when the White House released a list of 45 artworks on loan to the Obamas from Washington museums. The artists selected vary in age, race, gender and geographical roots, reflecting the administration’s continued celebration of diversity. One particular painting, Watusi (Hard Edge), by African-American woman Alma Thomas and on loan from the Hirshhorn Museum, caused quite the controversy. The 1963 painting, it turns out, is extremely similar to a 1953 piece entitled “L’Escargot” by the celebrated Matisse, a maestro whom Thomas has openly proclaimed an inspiration to her evolution as a painter. The painting, which was to be mounted in Michelle Obama’s East Wing office, will no longer be displayed. “The reason why it was moved was because it didn’t fit the space right,” announced Semonti Stephens, the first lady’s deputy press… Read More

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