For students of the humanities…
Are sea monsters real? Can someone "release the Kraken"? History and literature are filled with a myriad of stories about deadly beasts that sink ships and eat people. This article presents a theory that may explain as least some of the (less deadly and dangerous) stories. link to The Kraken: when myth encounters science
There have been two Elizabethan Ages in British history. The first took place in the 16th Century, and the second ended with the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II on September 19, 2022. In this article, Sky News tries to put the most recent Elizabethan age into some kind of context as a great portion of… Continue reading Article: Queen’s own words perhaps best sum up the legacy of her Elizabethan age
In the Ancient and Medieval worlds, a great deal of the trade (in goods such as silk, spices, and glass) was conducted via the Silk Road--a trade network that ran from Europe through Northern Africa, the Middle East and Persia, India, and eventually into China. This site gives some good background on the various routes… Continue reading Website: Silk Road-History of the silk road
Queen Elizabeth II reigned for more than 70 years until her death in 2022. This (the longest reign of any British monarch) gave artists more than enough time to depict her in a number of different ways. Some of the images are official (on things like coinage) and some are less so. Thi article from… Continue reading Article: Picturing the Queen: How artists portrayed Queen Elizabeth II through her reign
When you think of Legos shipwrecks and environmental disasters are probably not the first thing that comes to mind. However, that's what this article is about. Apparently, a shipwreck a couple of decades ago dropped 5 million Legos (amongst other things) into the sea off of the coast of England in what has come to… Continue reading Article: After 25 Years at Sea, Shipwrecked Lego Pieces Are Still Washing Ashore on Beaches in England
Time can be unkind to art, and this was particularly apparent during World War II. Many amazing (and culturally significant) works of art were destroyed in a conflict that leveled cities and destroyed countless lives. Additionally, beyond horrific human cost, World War II was the largest art heist the world has ever seen. Although it… Continue reading Article: The True Story of the Monuments Men
MoMA (the Museum of Modern Art) is one of the world's premere museums dedicated to modern art. On there website, they have a great deal of information about all styles and kinds of modern art. You can go straight to their "Art and Artists" section or search for something particular, but if you are researching… Continue reading Website: MoMA
Whether you are interested in studying music history, playing an instrument, or finding out about the latest music app, Music Wave may have what you are looking for. They have a wide variety of information on music history, music styles, and contemporary musical concerns. In particular, their Blog section is divided into themes for easy… Continue reading Website: Music Wave
There are many paintings that have been lost to time. Sometimes the art world is lucky enough to get one of them back--or at least to find out what happened to it. This article discusses the case of a painting (this one by English avant-guard artist Helen Saunders) that was found underneath another painting during… Continue reading Article: Lost Vorticist Masterpiece Found Hidden Beneath Another Painting
Color is an essential part of art, and blue is a color that is both commonly used and important. In this article from Smithsonian Magazine, they discuss the discovery of the source of Cobalt Blue, as well as the creation of Prussian Blue. The development of these colors for artistic uses increased the variety of… Continue reading Article: Creating a Full Palette of Blues
Did you know that humanity has lost much of our literature through history? The Lost Plays Database discusses the dramatic losses from English theater in the Renaissance (specifically 1570-1642). It's a solid research tool and a source of a lot of interesting information on the plays that have been lost from that period. link to… Continue reading Website: Lost Plays Database
If you are interested in Contemporary art and artists, then you should check out this site. While selling art is a big part of what they do, they also have a number of articles, blog posts, and other information about current art and the artists that create it. link to Arts, Artists, Artwork
Do you like mysteries? Are you looking for a good book? If your answer is yes, you may find this list helpful. Mysteries, detective fiction, and crime stories have long entertained armchair sleuths around the world. If this is a subject that interests you, this is a good place to start. link to Gone, But… Continue reading Article: Gone, But Not Forgotten: 12 Great Mystery Authors Readers Still Love
Sculptress Edmonia Lewis created amazing works despite the racism and sexism prevalent in the art world of the 19th Century. This article from Smithsonian Magazine details the challenges she faced in getting her college degree, and her college is now trying to at least partially right a wrong that was made more than 150 years… Continue reading Article: After More Than 150 Years, Sculptor Edmonia Lewis Finally Gets Her Degree
The place of women in art expanded through the Early Modern Period. In this article from MOMA magazine, these changes are discussed through the lens of the art of Käthe Kollwitz. link to Käthe Kollwitz’s Self-Portrait en face
Humanities Scholars 