Art

Features special exhibits and the collection of American art held by the Smithsonian. Includes a special photography section.

Features information and images from over 7000 artists. The site can be searched by artist, medium, movement, picture title, subject, or nationality. Links are provided to art museums around the world. A “Monthly Top 30” is provided showing the most visited artists for the past month. Links to art news, information, biographies, images, articles, and a wide variety of art web sites.

A searchable database for over 23000 North American artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators. Includes images of the artists’ work, brief biographies, information on dealers, galleries and museums, etc.

Access to over 15000 artists and their paintings, photographs, sculptures, designs, etc. Time period listings include Impressionism, Surrealism, Pop Art, etc. Also includes a subject listing (e.g. wood carving, textiles, video, etc.)

This set of lesson plans focuses on Minimalist art as first introduced by American artists the 1960s and 1970s. Minimalism is primarily sculptural and "is based on the essential qualities of geometric forms." Includes curriculum related to artists Donald Judd, Dan Flavin, Sol LeWitt, Agnes Martin, and Felix Gonzalez-Torres. From the Guggenheim Museum, New York. (LII, 2007)

Companion to a 2005 exhibit of sculptures by Sol LeWitt (1928-2007). Includes images of the five sculptures and one wall drawing that were installed on the roof garden of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and related material about the artist, the sculptures, and the exhibit. From the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. (LII, 2007)

Introduction to the evolving artistic styles in 18th century France and Italy, during which time the "taste for rococo -- intimate and charming subjects painted in pastel colors -- gave way by mid-century to the simpler, more restrained forms of neoclassical art." Includes annotated images of works by artists such as François Boucher, Jean-Honoré Fragonard, and Antoine Watteau. From the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. (LII, 2007)

Official site for the Paul Klee Center in Bern, Switzerland, which opened in 2005 and is dedicated to the work of this 20th century Swiss artist. The site features visitor information and a database of hundreds of images of Klee paintings, prints, drawings, and sculptures. Also includes information about the architecture and landscape sculpture of the museum building designed by Renzo Piano, and links to related sites. In English, German, and French.

Images of selected paintin and drawings, a chronology of Klimt’s life, and links to related sites. (Feb 2006, LII)

Companion to "the principal international exhibition marking 2006 as the centenary of the death of Paul Cézanne (1839-1906). ... This exhibition, by focusing on the works Cézanne painted in and around his native Aix-en-Provence, will celebrate the landscape and the rich associations it had for him." The site features a chronology, discussions of themes in his art, maps with associated paintings, and images of dozens of his paintings. From the National Gallery of Art.

Online analysis of a painting by Henri Matisse, who was a member of group of early 20th century artists "dubbed 'fauves' -- wild beasts" for their use of bright colors and "primitive" brushwork. Provides detailed views of Matisse's "Open Window, Collioure" (1905), one of the first fauve works, and images of works by other fauve artists. From the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.

Website companion to a 1997 exhibit of a 1929 "portfolio of vividly colored lithographs titled 'Le Tumulte Noir' ('The Black Craze') which captured the exuberant jazz music and dance that dazzled Paris" when Josephine Baker and her troupe, La Revue Négre, performed in Paris in the mid-1920s. Includes historical background and images of 14 lithographs, which are a "marvelous achievement of Art Deco graphic design." From the National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution.

Illustrated descriptions of printmaking techniques. Includes history and examples of woodcut, engraving (using a metal tool known as a burin), etching (which uses acid), drypoint, mezzotint, aquatint, and lithography. Includes links to related exhibits and websites. Part of a timeline of art history from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

Brief overview of the traditional techniques for making fine art prints, including relief (such as woodcuts), intaglio (including engraving, etching, aquatint, drypoint, and mezzotint), stencil (primarily silkscreen printing, or serigraphy), and planographic printmaking (lithography). From an arts council that promotes both amateur and professional artists.

This exhibit explores the innovative works of American painters and poets following the end of World War II. The site features essays about each of these groups, with discussions about painters such as Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning, and Mark Rothko; and poets from "four overlapping constellations: the Beat Generation, the San Francisco Renaissance, the Black Mountain poets, and the New York School poets." Also includes selected images. From the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery.

Official website for the commemoration of the 400-year anniversary of Dutch artist Rembrandt's birth in 1606. Features a biography (for his birthplace of Leiden and for Amsterdam), discussion of themes and techniques in his works, images of selected paintings and prints, and listings of anniversary events in Holland. Available in several languages.

Official website for a contemporary art museum in London that will occupy a new space in November 2007. Features background about and images of works from international artists who have exhibited in the gallery, such as painters Martin Kippenberger, Marlene Dumas, and Jorg Immendorff. Also includes a list of previous exhibits back to 1985 and guides to contemporary art galleries throughout the world. (LII, 2007)

Companion to a 2007 exhibit about 20th century American artist Jasper Johns, who "had an immense impact on the subsequent development of advanced art -- pop, minimal, process, conceptual, and performance genres, among others." Features an illustrated essay about the exhibit, images of Johns creating his artwork, a biography, and images of selected paintings, such as one of his paintings of the American flag. From the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.

Features instant access to more than 5000 images from the National Gallery of Canada. Searchable. Categories include: Subjects (allegories, history, literature, people, still life); Artists (more than 200 arranged alphabetically, by gender & by nationality); and Galleries (Favourites, Candian, European, & Contemporary).

A virtual museum and searchable database of European painting and sculpture of the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque periods (approx. 1150-1750). Has over 6000 images. Includes biographies of artists, commentaries, guided tours, etc.

Features a famous paintings collection with an artist and a theme index. Special exhibitions are changed occasionally, with early 2000 featuring Paul Cezanne and Medieval Art. Documentation is included for the artists and their works. The time period covered is from 1600 (Baroque Art) through to the present contemporary works. Also included on this site is a virtual tour of Paris.

Features 120,000+ images of the history of art and architecture. Organized by country, artist, medium or topic. Topics include Italian Renaissance, Classical, Ashanti, etc. Links to other art history sites are included.

Features over 100,000 slides of art from all time periods and all cultural areas. Includes the Renaissance, Ancient Egypt, Japan, India, China, Caravaggio, Botticelli, Vermeer, etc. Includes some audio files and essays on the works. Weekly features.

Images and information is organized primarily by time periods (e.g. Prehsitoric, Ancient, Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, 18th Century, 19th Century, 20th Century). Includes links to research resources, museum and galleries, prints and photography.

Features images from 7000+ artists with a focus on painting and sculpture though photograpy and architecture are also represented. Can be browsed by movement, medium, subject, nationality and artist. Links to art museums worldwide are included, as well as some links to articles and information about artists.

Access to images and information through an excellent theme index. Includes works of art from Gothic painting through the Renaissance to the 20th century art movements. Includes a section on Japanese art and architecture from Prehistory through the 20th Century. Provides excellent onsite information and many links.

Features the largest searchable art image base in world of over 70,000 images. The site map gives details on the collections, exhibitions, and resources for educators. Topics include: American painting, crafts & sculpture; African art; Oceanic art; Textiles; Medieval art; Renaissance art; Ceramics, etc.

Features a collection of contemporary artists sharing their works through studios and rooms. International in scope with over 100 current artists represented. Categories include: Digital artists, Musicians & Bands, Painters, Performing Artists, Photographers, Poets, Sculptors, Video artists & Animators, Visual Artists. The site includes brief biographies of the artists. Can be searched by artist or medium.

Provides extensive links to specific artists and architects. Categories include: Painting (daVinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, Titian); Architecture (Brunellschi, Palladio); Sculpture; Northern Renaissance (Durer, VanEyck, Bosch); and Shakespeare.

Features biographies and images of the Impressionists and their life in France. Includes Degas, Monet, Morisot, Pissarro, Renoir, Bazille, Cassatt, Manet, and Sisley. Includes explanations of painting techniques. Links to museum sites.

Links to images and information on Renaissance art and artists, including Michelangelo, Bellini, Raphael, giotto, Rembrandt, da Vinci, Fra Angelico, etc.

Collections here include: Ancient Art, African and Oceanic Art, American Art, Asian Art, European Art, Graphic Arts, 20th Century Art. Includes special exhibits that are changed regularly (March 2000 - Van Gogh - Face to Face). Some teacher resources are included.

Features a guided tour of the impressionist movement and paintings for students in the “Experience Impression” section. Includes online teacher lessons, handouts, transparencies, etc. in the “Teach Impressionism” section. Also provides access to images in various museum collections.

Features comprehensive technical descriptions of categorized works of East Asian art from China, Japan, and Korea. Categories include: archaeology, calligraphy, ceramics, textiles, sculpture, lacquerware, paintings, and metalwork.

Includes paintings, engineering, drawings and biographical information organized by the following topics: History, Biographical notes, Leonardo library, The castle, The environs, The town of Vinci. Includes a timeline of his life and works.

Features a history of the Louvre, a virtual tour of its rooms & collections, plus special temporary exhibits. Includes information about techniques, history, etc. of various pieces.

Features more than 3500 works of art in the online collection. The “Explore and learn” area has activities and information for learning about art works, artists, themes and cultures. Includes educational resources.

Provides information on the life and works of the Renaissance artist during his early life, mid years, and final days. Includes links to illustrations, teaching resources, and related sites.

Features a collection of images from Middle Ages to present. Organized around the following topics: Painting, Sculpture, Decorative Arts, Works on paper, Architecture. Special exhibits change regularly. Links to related online resources are included.

Themes include: Abstraction, The figure, Historical subjects, Landscape painting, Marine painting, Narrative art, Portraiture, Scenes from everyday life, Still life, and Topographical views. Provides essays for each of the themes, complete with hyperlinks to the images or people named. Includes biographies of over 100 American artists.

Features a virtual tour of the Louvre. Collections are organized by: Paintings, Egyptian antiquities, Oriental antiquities, Greek, Etruscan, Roman antiquities, Sculpture, Prints and drawings, Objets d’art.

Provides a virtual tour of this museum in English, German, Italian, French and Dutch. Includes access to over 1200 past and present exhibits. Searchable.

This site, from the Uffizi Gallery, features important works of Italian artists from the 14th through the 18th Centuries, including an excellent collection of Tuscan Renaissance paintings. It includes pictures, comments, biographies, and a glossary of artistic movements and techniques of the day. Indexed for easy browsing by artist, works, and rooms (e.g. Gothic, Florentine, Early Renaissance, etc.)

Features the complete works of Vincent Van Gogh, plus criticism, analysis, and historical commentary. Includes over 2900 graphics of his paintings, drawings, watercolours, and his letters.