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Renita Shelley

Renita Shelley is an artist in heart and soul. She combines her interest in history with her love for the world of art to educate you about the most famous artists. From the genius of Leonardo da Vinci to the troubled life of Vincent van Gogh, she is a walking encyclopedia who loves to share the stories about the most fascinating and creative people in human history.

Turkey is a large country in the utmost southeastern part of Europe that features both a European and an Asian part. The largest city in the country (not the capital) is Istanbul, formerly Byzantium and Constantinople, which majestically separates both continents. Art has been produced here since the ancient Greeks and Romans arrived in this …

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It’s probably not surprising that very little is known about the life of this Romanesque artist. After all, he was active almost 800 years ago. Berlinghiero (1175-1242), also known as “Berlinghiero Berlinghieri” or “Berlinghiero of Lucca,” left behind a number of famous Romanesque artworks that were highly influential at the time. His art was influenced …

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Of all the Gothic artists who produced art during the Middle Ages in Italy, this particular sculptor might be one of the most influential. Nicola Pisano (1205/1207-1278) lived in the 13th century, a period in which Gothic art was still the dominant style all across Europe. The sculptures and reliefs he created, however, already show …

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When a young aspiring French artist started experimenting with a revolutionary new painting technique in the early 1880S, it took him several years to perfect it. Pointillism is also known as “Neo-Impressionism,” and was developed during the Post-Impressionist era in the late 19th century, which in turn was a development of the major Impressionist movement. …

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Very few art movements in history were so in line with what could be perceived as feminine art than the Impressionist movement of the late 19th century. The Impressionist artist used loose brushstrokes and started painting outdoors in the 1860s. This was revolutionary and they faced stiff criticism initially. This gradually changed as some major …

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The 15th century was an important period in the history of art in Europe, and this applies to both the Northern and Southern parts of the continent. Oil painting developed in northern Europe and this allowed for a much more detailed approach to art. This is reflected in the oeuvre of Early Netherlandish painters. One …

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You will hardly find a better collection of paintings depicting life in the Dutch Republic in the 17th century than in the oeuvre of this Dutch Golden Age painter. Considered to be the leading genre painter of his time, Jan Steen (1626-1679), mainly focused on painting common life during this glorious period in Dutch history. …

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The Dutch Golden Age describes a period in the history of the Netherlands when the Dutch Republic was one of the most thriving nations in Europe. It’s known as the “Gouden Eeuw” in the country or the “Golden Century,” and that almost accurately describes this period. It started in 1588 when the Dutch Republic was …

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The influence of this French artist can be described as pivotal in art history, and that’s not an understatement. Édouard Manet (1832-1883) was never meant to become a painter but his desire was so strong that even his stubborn father eventually gave in. This was a great decision because he became the source of inspiration …

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