The Adoration of the Kings, 1510 Jan Gossaert Oil on wood, 177 x 161 cm National Gallery, London (See below for a close-up) This has got to be one of the most magnificent Renaissance paintings that captures the beauty of the Christmas spirit. I think this painting is absolutely gorgeous. The colors are so bright and cheerful. In Jan Gossaert’s painting, The Adoration of the Kings, the artist shows the arrival of the three kings to bestow gifts on the Christ child. This large picture … Continue reading →

Marc Chagall, (7 July 1887 – 28 March 1985) was a Jewish painter who was born in Belarus, then part of the Russian Empire. Among the celebrated painters of the 20th century, he is associated with the modern movements after impressionism. Beginning to study painting in 1906 under famed local artist Yehuda Pen. Later, he left St. Petersburg to settle in Paris in order to be near the art community of the Montparnasse district, where he becomes a friend of Guillaume Apollinaire, Robert Delaunay, and … Continue reading →

Reflections of Clouds on the Water-Lily Pond, 1920 Oil on canvas Three panels, each 6′ 6 3/4″ x 13′ 11 1/4″ (200 x 424.8 cm), overall 6′ 6 3/4″ x 41′ 10 3/8″ (200 x 1276 cm). by Claude Monet The Museum of Modern Art New York City For me, seeing this painting was like viewing the Grand Canyon for the first time. It is breathtaking and just plain beautiful. If you click on the picture, you might get a feel of just how much … Continue reading →

The Painter’s Daughters Chasing a Butterfly, 1755 Oil on canvas Thomas Gainsborough (1727-1788), the most outrageously enjoyable British artist. Gainsborough, born in the Suffolk market town of Sudbury, built up his portrait business gradually, establishing a spectacularly successful studio in the spa town of Bath, finally hitting the capital as an artist of unparalleled style and sophistication. For all his control he was man of feeling, which shows in every brushstroke of his gorgeous paintings. Mary (1750-1826) and Margaret (1752-1820) Gainsborough had difficult lives. As … Continue reading →

My Sweet Rose, 1908 Also called, The Soul of a Rose by John William Waterhouse Oil on canvas John William Waterhouse, known to his family and friends as “Nino”, was born in Rome, Italy in 1849 to English parents, and moved to London at an early age. His father was also an artist, and John followed in his footsteps. Early in his career, Waterhouse established his style. It changed little, but he continually refined it, and he really captured the souls of all his beautiful … Continue reading →