The Art Institute of Chicago is a top destination for fine art experts, fine art lovers, and travelers from all over the world. It contains one of the largest collections of French Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art in North America. Its diverse collection also includes significant displays of American art, American and foreign contemporary art, Asian art, and modern art. The Art Institute was founded in 1866 by a group of local artists with the vision of running an art school with its own art gallery. Today, the permanent collection encompasses over 5000 years of American and foreign art with over 260,000 art objects in its possession.
Five of the Art Institute’s famous paintings include:
1. A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte – One of Georges Seurat’s most famous works and an example of pointillism, the art technique of using miniature dots of different colors that form a single hue of color. It depicts a scene of people enjoying a leisurely day on the island of la Grande Jatte, located on the Seine River in Paris and serving as a retreat for a nearby housing development.
2. American Gothic – A very well-known painting by Grant Wood from 1930 of a farmer standing beside his unmarried daughter. It represents 19th century Midwestern Americana with men and women fulfilling traditional roles of the era. Wood’s inspiration came from a cottage designed in the Gothic Revival style with a distinctive upper window and a decision to paint the house along with “the kind of people I fancied should live in that house.
3. Nighthawks – A 1942 painting by Edward Hopper that portrays people sitting in a downtown diner late at night. It is considered Hopper’s most famous painting, as well as one of the most recognizable in American art. It was painted after the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1942 and is said to represent the widespread feeling of depression and gloominess during that time.
4. Bedroom at Arles – A title given to each of three similar paintings by 19th-century Dutch Post-Impressionist painter Vincent van Gogh. The paintings depict Van Gogh’s bedroom in Arles, Bouches-du-Rhone, France, known as his Yellow House. Each of the three versions of the painting has its own improvements and idiosyncrasies with the third version being a reduction of the originals.
5. The Old Guitarist – A painting by Pablo Picasso, painted in 1903, just after the ******* death of Picasso’s close friend, Casagemas. It depicts an older man playing a guitar and seated in disturbed position. A feeling of melancholy is felt through the shades of blue color exhibited throughout the painting. It is also notable for the apparent pentimento involving an image painted underneath where Picasso originally began a woman’s portrait.
By: Brian A. Goodwin
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Filed under Arts And Entertainment by on Nov 20th, 2010. 
Metal wall art is becoming a mainstay in modern and contemporary home decor. It exudes class, beauty and at the same time it is simple and elegant. The walls of a person’s home speak about their personality, taste and moreover they surround the residents of the home in comfort and beauty. Metal wall sculptures add personality and statement to the walls and the home, representing uniqueness of the owner.
The pieces of décor in metal wall art are made using metals like copper, wrought iron, metal wires and other such materials. The pieces include wall mirrors, metal candle holders, large wall clocks, wall hangings and wall shelves. These are available in home décor showrooms, as well as online stores.
Tips On Metal Wall Art Home Decoration:
Any drab wall can be made alive using metal candle holders or a small piece of metal wall art on the wall showing a tree with colorful leaves. To make any room look bigger, a metal framed wall mirror works wonders. Simple designs on the frame can create a beautiful and lasting effect. To add substance to office walls, the sculptures like flower designs, an octopus design, bird shapes and other contemporary designs, can be used. They look good and add character to office walls. Metal wall art is very easy to maintain and hence is perfect for outdoor or garden decoration. Sculptures can be placed on outdoor tables, slabs and wall pieces can be hung from different angles to give a unique look. To make your bathroom resemble a place of beauty all that is required is a simple metal wire piece, wrought iron sculpture or a wire holder. A designer piece will add glamour to the bathroom. To get an elegant look, a simple one piece metal wall art can be used. The use of multiple pieces creates a dramatic look on the wall, hence in the room. There are a variety of unique metal art pieces available, thus one never runs out of options. Wrought iron wall decoration pieces produce a classic look and by combining different colors and textures, any pattern can be imagined and created. This will make every wall look different and this look can be altered any time with a few changes in placement of wall pieces. Cutting edge style of contemporary art can redefine any space. This style uses bold colors, everyday elements and durable lightweight combination of metals. To display blooms and ivy, unique wall vases in materials like metal are available in all styles and sizes. A combination of form and function, these vases can be used for the purpose of holding flowers, and they are an art statement on their own. A very interesting form of metal wall art is tropical wall art that helps create an island paradise in the room. These pieces come in various colors and designs to give desired tropical look to the bedroom, patio or even the bathroom.
These are just a few tips and ideas to decorate a modern home using metal wall art and metal wall sculptures. Online stores have an array of these pieces of art to choose from, in reasonable pricing. Online stores categorize these in different ways i.e. on theme basis, on material basis and on the basis of looks and placement. To add color, life and zest to a modern home, metal wall art does wonders.
By: Dorothea Turner
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Filed under Arts And Entertainment by on Nov 20th, 2010.
Purchasing paintings or investing money in art was a rich man’s business. But it is no longer like that, even you can start investing and collecting oil paintings. But before you start investing in art there are many things that you should know related to investing in art.
Art Investment, Points to Remember:
Any form of investment need some research work or ground work from the person who is investing. You never blindly invest your money anywhere. It is the same with the art investment. You need to make a thorough research of the paintings that you are planning to buy. Since there are many books available in the market that guides you to know more about art and how to investment, it is advisable to go through this books if you are planning to invest in art.
You need to know about the different forms of art. Oil paintings reproduction is a popular way of owing the master pieces in much affordable prices. Though it the replica of the original works it is the best way to decorate your house or office with the great artists of the art history. When you are planning to invest in oil painting reproductions there are few things that you need to keep in mind. Know about the dealer and how long the dealer has been involved in this business; also the artist whom the dealer hires to replicate the original work. Getting this information would help you the get the right quality of replica work for you to decorate your house or office.
There are many other things that you need to ask when you head to buy paintings. Like the details of the artist who painted the work; how long the painter has been painting, where all the artists work has been exhibited; what was the response of the audience; have he ever received any awards etc.
And nowadays, when you have access to internet, there is no better place to get more information about the artist and his paintings. So when you buy an artist work, you also have full information about the artist. If possible, study the biography of the artist whom you like the most and wants to collect the maximum works of that artist.
And the most important principles of successful investment are to understand everything about the artist, what’s the market trend, tracking new talents and their works.
If you want to know more about the art investment: points to remember. The best place is to visit the online gallery. These online portals on paintings will display all the works they have and you would also get great offers if you are buy them online. They also keep all kinds of works from various artists. It is advisable to explore more since there are many online portals that give great offers on paintings.
The more you explore it would help you to understand more about the art and you would be in a great position to invest in arts.
By: Peter M Pham
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Filed under Arts And Entertainment by on Nov 19th, 2010.
When you first decide you want to create your fantasy art women art design you may be one of the lucky ones that know what they want to create or you may find yourself overwhelmed by the choice before you. There are many factors to consider when creating your art. Some of the following may help to narrow down the choice.
When finding Inspiration If you are not being told what to do you may rely on your inspiration which is great. However this may either fail you or only take you so far. Or you may simply not know what to do with that inspiration. In this case there are other things you may want to think about. Firstly think about your actual fantasy art woman. Who is she? Where does she come from? Is she a warrior, maid, princes or fairy? What is her era? For instance is she barbarian, medieval or futuristic?
Then consider her clothes. Do you want to style her in the traditional skimpy armour or do you prefer real armour? What colours do you want to put her in and why? Remember that colour plays a very important role in creating the feel and atmosphere of the piece.
Finally think about her situation. What is she doing and why? Where is she? Perhaps she is a warrior in a distant desert. Or she could be a pagan princess or druid with standing stones in the background. Or she may be fleeing from danger in the darkest of forests. Where ever you put her combine the elements of the woman, time and place and activity so that they are harmonious and create a great fantasy art woman picture.
By: Fay Swan
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Filed under Arts And Entertainment by on Nov 19th, 2010.
Maybe you tend to imagine that wall art is a very difficult thing that could be hardly accomplished and at the same time, expensive; and in most cases, it is. However, there is a form of wall decoration which could be easily applied on the walls and even better, it is quite cheap. This type of decoration is widely diversified, presenting many colors, shapes, sizes and different techniques; it is presented by the canvas prints. These prints are mostly made on stretched canvasses which present various textures and patterns. The techniques that provide this type of art are different as you can have the prints done by individual artists who simply paint the canvas or printed by machines that reproduce any image you wish.
The second variant offers you a great chance; now you can have your own photos displayed onto canvas. What other type of wall art could better express your artistic side? You can use any photos you might wish and display them on the walls of your home. Even more, as the marketers who are providing the canvas are in a fierce competition, you can obtain the best canvas prints at very convenient prices. These prints reflect two main characteristics: the finest textures which are mostly made from cotton and the highest quality prints. This way, you are going to have your walls dressed up in wonderful printed canvas which represent your favorite pictures from your own photo album.
The atmosphere delivered by this type of wall art is unique as you can create any appearance you might wish while conferring a modern, extremely stylish and minimalist look. You can have any of your pictures exposed by the canvas prints. You can have any image which is provided in digital format on your walls, whether we talk about a perfect sunrise, you have just immortalized with your camera, wedding pictures, and a photo of your child, your friends or pets. As well, you can use different photos and assembly wonderful collages. As a conclusion, the prints on canvas offer an ideal type of art which is amazingly unlimited.
Even though we talk about an original type of wall art that perfectly describes your artistic view, you still have to respect the criteria related to colors and styles. You have to make sure that the images you choose are perfectly assorting the rest of the house. In fact, the style you select is crucial. It can create the perfect canvas prints that are able to embellish any interior or, if the wrong pictures are chosen, the prints will highlight the worst combination possible. For this reason, you have to make sure that the pictures perfectly complete the mood of your interior.
By: Travis Olague
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Filed under Arts And Entertainment by on Nov 18th, 2010.
Even in the world of Music, musical instruments, guitars and guitar players, there are those who are “Artists”, who through Music are trying to communicate their creativity, and then there are “Art Collectors” who are people who call themselves a “guitarist” or an “artist” but who buy and collect guitars essentially as ornaments in their own “private museum.”
“Art collectors” are not “Artists.”
The number of guitars a guitarist owns is not a sign of whether they are an artist or and art collector.
It is how they perceive their instruments and what they do with them that separates these two.
Artists try to create a “wow factor” in their audience by playing their instrument. It is what they play, or how they play it, and the message in their music that wins the audience over. That achievement is one of the satisfactions of being an artist.
Art collectors try to create a “wow factor” in their audience by what objects they have on display in their collection, much the same way as how we perceive a museum or zoo.
When artists try out a new guitar they play it, listen to it, feel it, compare it’s capabilities with what they are trying to do with their music, and determine whether it matches their creative needs, or not. If it does not, they try something else until they find the instrument that “does it for them.” With the instrument of their choice they feel better equipped to create and be the artist that they truly are.
When Art Collectors try out a new guitar the first thing they do is inspect it, not for playability and sound, but for it’s appearance, it’s physical attributes, and how “nice” it looks. They check for flaws, marks or blemishes and pour over specs lists and wonder such things as “where is the wood from?” or make comments like “it has a bit of a dent in the wood on the headstock.” Whether it plays or sounds any good is secondary to the “wow factor” of it’s appearance.
The artist is not so worried about their image as much as they are about their music. Their instruments are their creative outlet.
The art collector is worried about “image” more than their music. They treat the instrument as an artefact rather than as the tool for their creativity. They go crazy if they get a little mark or scratch on their guitar. The go to gigs or to the studio with more fear of “damaging” their guitar than to do the job. They criticize new guitars for their finishes or appearance rather than their electronics or sound.
Professional guitarists usually have many guitars. And they play them. Each guitar has it’s use. Different guitars are required for different songs, styles of music, gigs, environments, and recording requirements. One guitar is not enough to satisfy the professional guitarist’s requirements or demands. A large collection of guitars is necessary for the professional musician.
The artist’s collections of guitars get used.
The artist’s collections of guitars get knocked around, bumped, chipped, dropped, exposed to the elements, dirtied, broken, repaired, etc, Guitars go through frets, tuners, pickups, pots and jacks, when they are used for what they are meant for.
The “art collector’s” guitars don’t get used.
The art collector’s guitars never get properly broken in, never get the required setups or care required, and deteriorate naturally through the passage of Time. They are merely ornaments. They are not being used for what they were made for and they get wrecked from disuse.
“Art Collectors” are not “Artists.”
By: Kevin Gaskell
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Filed under Arts And Entertainment by on Nov 17th, 2010.
One cannot differentiate between the real painting and the art painting reproductions. Most of the people think that they are having a view of original one. These beautiful painted pieces of art can add grace to your home or office. They are available at very reasonable cost. These art master pieces are also available online. You can browse the internet and easily find the painting’s reproduction of your desired artist. These paintings can easily beautify your home walls.
If you are finding the art painting reproductions of the particular artist then you can get it and make the collections of your favorite artist at your place. And if you are not interested in any artist’s collections then you can get these paintings on the basis of their style and designs. You can find the best service in the price you want to pay through online service.
Now days many art painting reproductions are available which are exactly of the museum quality. As museums only display the paintings which are original and these reproductions are made just like original paintings. So you must invest in these stunning art collections. And have a unique piece of art at your home. You can get the qualities of original master piece at your home at reasonable cost.
Why people purchase the art painting reproductions? Have you ever think about that? Because: these beautiful paintings, having an artistic look, add elegance to a wall and completely change the look of your wall. If you have chosen the right painting than this painting can transform the ordinary room or office in to a luxury suite.
While selecting these reproductions you must keep the combination and theme of your room or office in your mind. And buy the appropriate painting that matches with the decoration and style of your room. Hanging these paintings will reflect your creativity.and your living place will look alive and graceful.
You can match the setting of your living place with the painting. If your living place is traditional then you can get the art painting reproductions with traditional touch and if you’ve a modernized living place then you can get the paintings of the modern artists.
So you must make your own artistic collection at your home by purchasing these paintings. But before buying them you must also check the market for your satisfaction. So in the end you can buy a piece of art having reasonable cost. One thing more: that while choosing the reproduction of these art pieces you must consider your needs. If that painting is meeting the needs of your place, you and your pocket then it is worth to buy other wise you must go for another one. So don’t waste your time and make your art collection as fine art is considered to be the real therapy of mind and soul.
By: Khan Paki Gee
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Filed under Arts And Entertainment by on Nov 17th, 2010.
Art creates the mood and ambiance of your home or office. Whether you wish to create a common theme throughout or create a unique environment for each room; art will allow you to project the real you and a place where you, your family, and guests immediately feel the comfort or excitement of each room.
All homes or offices have the basic furnishings; however, it is the unique art decor pieces that truly set your home apart from others. As you enter a room, the first thing that your eyes see, is the decorative art. This initial visual impression; creates in the viewer, the mood or feeling that you wish to project. This feeling can range from the quiet solitude and beauty of a beach sunset or the fun image of human-like dogs sitting at a table playing poker in your rec room. Whatever ambiance you wish to create; choose the art that you like, not what you think others would like. Your art decor should first make you feel good and reflect the feeling that you wish to project.
Often when we hear the word art, we think of art galleries that usually have a limited selection and can be very expensive. However, today finding the right art for you is neither difficult nor does it have to be expensive. With the internet you can browse for virtually any type or format and price range of art. Wall art, available on the internet, ranges from art prints to photographic art, to classic movie posters, and even fine art oil paintings in different sizes, different frames, from both known and unknown artists. Many sites offer a wide variety of art, simplifying your search for your different needs, as well as, delivery and billing. Many sites will also offer other links to many more art sites.
Remember the old adage, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” Art is truly a game changer exerting its influence on all who view it. It projects directly on our inner self, making our spirits rise.
Now take a moment and think of your home, a specific room, or your office. What do you wish to project? What do you like? What makes you feel good? Got It? Okay! The time to create that change is now. Start with a simple Google search. Are you trying to create a beach mood? Simply type in the words….beach art. Do you need to enhance a rec room? Just type in the words…..recreation room art or bar art.
Whatever specific art you choose, you will enjoy your art and your guests will compliment you and share in your enjoyment of the art.
By: Linda Romersa
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Filed under Arts And Entertainment by on Nov 16th, 2010.
A tour of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, simply known as “the Met”, is an experience not to be missed by culture and art aficionados. The permanent art collection at the Met is huge and contains over 2 million artworks and objects, broken down in nineteen separate departments. Even for the art lover, a first visit to the Met can be overwhelming with the museum grounds occupying over 2 million square feet and extending over a quarter mile. One could spent an unspeakable number of months here viewing all of the different displays, antiquities, paintings, and other art form here. If you’re like most folks, you’ll want to cover the museum highlights. Here are five to get you started:
1. Washington Crossing the Delaware – This painting commemorates General Washington crossing the Delaware River, an event that kicked off the eventual victory of the American colonies during the Civil War. This painting was created by German American artist, Emanuel Leutze and contains some purposeful inaccuracies such as the American flag in the background that was not yet created and the unlikely overcrowding of the small dinghy. Interestingly, the original work was destroyed in 1942 by a British bombing raid during World War II but a full sized copy was created in 1950.
2. Temple of Dendur – This Roman-style, Egyptian temple was constructed in 15 BC for dedication to Osiris, the Egyptian god of the after life. This gargantuan monument measures over 75 feet in length from front to rear and is decorated with reliefs carved into the base, depicting the reeds and lotus plants of the Nile River. The preservation and detail of the structure is amazing, also knowing that it was packed in over 600 crates and transported by ship, as a gift to the U.S. government from Egypt in 1965.
3. Madonna and Child – A 14th century panel painting by Italian artist Duccio di Buoninsegna of the Virgin Mary and Jesus. Despite this work’s modest size, at 27.9? 21 cm, it marks a pivotal transition in European paintings from Medieval to Renaissance ideals, by depicting Mary and Jesus as mother and son versus their later depiction as deities. The painting is a recent addition to the Met Museum’s permanent collection and has become one of its prized masterpieces. It was purchased for an undisclosed amount in excess of $45 million USD. Prior to its purchase by the Met, it was the last known Duccio painting to be privately held.
4. Euphronios Krater – This ancient Greek krater, was used for mixing wine with water. Dating back to 515 BC, this krater is the only complete surviving example of the 27 terra cotta vases painted by the renowned artist Euphronios and is considered one of the finest Greek vase artifacts in existence. The painted sides depict scenes from the Trojan War and of Athenian soldiers arming themselves for war.
5. Wheat Field with Cypresses – A landscape painting by Vincent Van Gogh during his final days when he was a patient at the St-Remy mental asylum. The flowing brush strokes and elongated canvas were characteristic of Van Gogh’s paintings later in life. During the few years before his death, Van Gogh resorted to painting landscapes as a way to deal with his feelings of loneliness and depression. This painting is one in a series of three. The others are located at the National Gallery of London and in a private collection.
By: Makbar Lee
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Filed under Arts And Entertainment by on Nov 15th, 2010.
When people want to redecorate and have a small budget, they might turn to wall art prints. Prints to decorate the walls could be anything from a replica of a famous painting to a portrait of someone’s dog or a flower from their garden. Sometimes the subject of the framed picture is not as important as the placement of the artwork to help bring out the best in a room.
There are many different ways to come up with a nice piece of wall art prints without having to empty ones wallet. If there are children in the house, a large piece of butcher paper and some paints or crayons might be a great afternoon’s activity; but then it could be turned into something very special for above the couch or fireplace mantle. Since a piece of glass and frame might be expensive at a larger size, making a print of the child’s wall art prints to help it last longer.
Many people make great wall art prints from their family photos. They take great photos from weddings, picnics or children dressed in various outfits and have them blown up or reprinted in a little bit larger size for a grouping of prints. This will also to help open up the room, grouping several prints in a large square or in a mismatched circular position would also be something unique.
A black and white photograph would make a nice wall art prints for just about any room, no matter the decor. Sometimes an individual will take a special photograph and have the copy center or photo shop enlarge the photo and then take all the color out except for one item. For instance an old-fashioned wedding photo might be a good looking print in black and white and then color in the flowers.
If vacation or travel photographs are not as good as one expected to transfer into a print, postcards could be used in their place. The postcards could be enlarged a little or a lot, depending on what type of grouping of the photos one wants on the wall. These wall art prints could be combined with artifacts or special mementos from a family travels either nailed to the wall or set on a shelf under the prints.
Some people will use old photos of their grandparents and great-grandparents in order to keep their memories alive. In addition, their photos are usually unique from an era that lends itself to making black and white prints or older looking prints. These could be added between colorful flower prints for a nice contrast.
A mixed media type of framed artwork is becoming pretty popular in various types of wall art prints. This is when a print is set next to or underneath a piece of metal or cloth, enough that it is still visible. Other times an artist will take a print or photograph and mix paint on top of it as a special and unique type of artwork to hang in the family room or bedroom.
There are many memories people want to save and not only in a photo album. They would like to see the memory everyday and that is why they take items and turn them into wall art prints. They might combine a pair of baby booties with a small outfit in a shadow box type frame to show off their precious memory.
By: Arold Augustin
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Filed under Arts And Entertainment by on Nov 15th, 2010.