By Nina Heyn In the history of art, the recognition of women artists beyond academic circles is really a 21st-century phenomenon. The early Baroque Italian artist Sophonisba Anguissola (1552-1614) was only recently credited as the author of major Spanish royal portraits. Thanks to several exhibitions and Internet fame, Artemisia Gentileschi (1593-1653) is now almost a…
By Nina Heyn Old age is nobody’s friend but even less so in the case of a visual artist. In 1941, Matisse endured abdominal surgery followed by life-threatening sepsis. His arthritis and eye problems had also gotten worse. These health problems meant that he was often bedridden and unable to sustain the rigor of standing…
By Nina Heyn Every two years, Venice hosts the Art Biennale (art alternates with architecture)—a showcase of exhibitions from various countries as well as individual artists’ presentations. The latest 61st edition, titled “In Minor Keys,” includes entries from 110 participants—countries, organizations, art collectives, or individuals. The Biennale’s curator, Koyo Kouoh, passed away in 2025, but…
By Nina Heyn Imagine that it is 1871 in Paris. The city, and in fact the whole country, are recovering from a brutal Franco-Prussian war as well as a revolt of Communards that has destroyed many Paris streets and buildings. In the art world, the paintings considered most prestigious are historical and mythological tableaux that…
By Nina Heyn When we think of Henri Rousseau (1844-1910) we evoke his paintings of jungles and monkeys, which are indeed what made him immortal, but this self-taught painter started with something else. He embarked on the path of an artist when he was a middle-aged man holding the mundane job of tax collector at…
By Nina Heyn This is the time of year when spring is in full force in Paris—trees are green (after months of gray emptiness), people sit outside in cafés (after months of bundling up), and museums are brimming with new art shows. Here is a sampling of the latest offerings at principal museums in the…
“No work from classical antiquity, either Greek or Roman, has exerted such a continuing and decisive influence on European literature as Ovid’s Metamorphoses.” ~ Ian Johnston By Nina Heyn Sometimes it is good when an art exhibition is not reduced to a predictable subject like “masterpieces of xx artist” or “the art of xx period.”…
By Nina Heyn Rapid changes in social and material status can create a social group called the nouveau riche—people who suddenly gain wealth and influence but lack the refinement that comes with generations of elevated social position. Even though the term itself is from the 20th century, the phenomenon has existed for much longer. In…
By Nina Heyn If you want to learn about fine art, sometimes it is best to start with the basics. Getting familiar with Raphael (Raffaello di Giovanni Santi, 1483-1520) constitutes just such a “basic” because, alongside a dozen other artists throughout history, his works are not only some of the most alluring but also seeded…
By Nina Heyn Similar to last year, I’d like to start my Food for the Soul postings in 2026 with a list of some interesting art exhibitions that will take place throughout the year. I describe a few highlights below and also provide a calendar list of selected exhibitions. Raphael: Sublime Poetry March 29-June 28 …