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Ancient China, Ancient World

Ancient China

Three dynasties birth Chinese art and philosophy.

It’s remarkable that we know anything at all about the first Chinese dynasties, the Xia (2070–1600 BCE), Shang (1600–1046 BCE), and Zhou (1046–256 BC). While archaeologists have discovered Bronze Age artifacts that date to the Xia dynasty, no written records of the period remain, and the only records of the Shang dynasty are the oracle bones of Anyang, engraved with the names of emperors who hoped to see the future. read more
The Etruscans, 400BCE
Chimera of Arezzo
This is an undeniably modern interpretation. The chimera, like most beasts of antiquity, was the bad guy. Child of the giant serpent Typhon and the half woman half snake Echidna (you know her from the Starbucks logo) the Chimera was an abominable thing, unnatural combination of lion and goat, with the head of a snake for a tail. Her brothers and sisters live in legend. read more
Chimera of Arezzo, The Etruscans
Toyen
What's in a name?
Names are assigned to us before we are aware of their meaning, and we grow into them as much as they come to reflect us. In Japan artists often changed names after milestones in their lives, but in the west, once you've been given a name, you're usually stuck with it—a rigidity that makes claiming a new name even more powerful magic. read more
Toyen, The Artists
Sascha Schneider, 1904
Hypnosis
To Sascha Schneider the male body was perfection, and the world its antagonist. Schneider worked in Germany in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, during the development of Freikörperkultur, free body culture, also called the Health and Hygiene movement. Freikörperkultur aimed to counteract the restraint and stress of industrialization with a restorative mix of open air nudity, exercise, and healthy diet. read more
Hypnosis, Sascha Schneider
Born on March 22
Anthony van Dyck, The ArtistsPortrait of Anthony van Dyck

Anthony van Dyck

Dandies, divas, and cavalier style

1599 – 1641
Richard Teschner, The ArtistsPortrait of Richard Teschner

Richard Teschner

They're marionettes. That's what they are

1879 – 1948
Grégoire Michonze, The ArtistsPortrait of Grégoire Michonze

Grégoire Michonze

No story. Pure poetry.

1902 – 1982
Agnes Martin, The ArtistsPortrait of Agnes Martin

Agnes Martin

On inwardness and silence

1912 – 2004

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