Famous paintings everyone should know: Miguel Cabrera’s Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz
It's a painting everyone should know but probably doesn't! The portrait of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz was painted by the most famous artist of New Spain (colonial Mexico) in the 18th century.
Predicting the future with turtle shells
How did ancient Chinese kings predict the future with turtle shells? Why did Shang dynasty king Wu Ding use turtle shells and animal bones to resolve his terrible toothache?
Visiting Mexico City with kids
We visited many fantastic museums and historic sites during our week in Mexico City, with kids in tow. Even if you have never been to Mexico City and speak little to no Spanish, have no fear! It is a navigable city with a lot to do in a few areas.
Ancient Egyptians loved cats
Are you ready to step back in time with us and unravel the mysteries of cat worship, mummification, and the rich symbolism surrounding these cats in ancient Egypt? If you're a cat lover or hiss-tory enthusiast, our video is for you! It’s pawsitively awesome.
Close looking at abstract art | Olga Albizu's 900-50-80
How should we understand an abstract painting like Olga Albizu’s 900-50-80 from 1978?
Five fun facts about the Tomb of Lady Dai (Xin Zhui)
This year archaeologists in China are celebrating the 52nd anniversary of the excavation of the Tomb of Xin Zhui (popularly known as “Lady Dai”) discovered at Mawangdui, in Hunan province, China in 1972. Over the next several months, we’ll be celebrating the excavation of Xin Zhui’s tomb in many different ways, but let’s start with five fun facts!
Muqi’s Six Persimmons: Learn about Chan (Zen) Buddhism
Muqi, a 13th-century Chinese Buddhist monk, created this famous monochrome ink painting of six persimmons. The monk painter captured the essence of these sweet fruits using very few brushstrokes.
Close Looking at surrealist artist Leonora Carrington's Self-Portrait with Rocking Horse
Is that a hyena, a rocking horse, and monster claws?
Leonora Carrington, Self-Portrait with Rocking Horse
Looking Closely at Carrington’s Self-Portrait
If we look closely at Leonora Carrington's painting, we notice curious and surreal details. This video practices the skill of close looking. It also discusses Carrington's choices to create this dreamlike, fantastic painting.
Learning about ancient Chinese bronze casting and the piece mold process
Did you know that around 4,000 years ago the ancient Chinese invented their own unique metallurgical technique to cast bronze objects?
Getting kids excited about art history
I am passionate about getting kids excited about art history. When I was a professor of art history, most of my colleagues outside of art history (even historians!) had no sense of what I did or what my field does. So how can I expect children (or really anyone for that matter) to understand? A discussion about how to engage my own kid by making a video about Hokusai’s The Great Wave by Hokusai.
Miguel Cabrera, Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, c. 1750
It's a painting everyone should know but probably doesn't! The portrait of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz was painted by the most famous artist of New Spain (colonial Mexico) in the 18th century.
Amazing Art of the Aztecs in Mexico City
Learn about experiencing the amazing art of the Aztecs with kids from an expert who has traveled there with her kids.
Discovering an ancient Maya king’s tomb at Palenque
Deep in the thick rainforest of Chiapas, Mexico, archaeologist Alberto Ruz Lhuillier would stumble upon one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the twentieth while digging at the ancient Maya site of Palenque: the tomb and sarcophagus of the ruler K’inich Janaab’ Pakal.
Lady Dai's funeral banner and tomb
Did you know one of the earliest silk paintings in Chinese history came from an ancient tomb that was so well preserved that the woman’s body looked like it had been mummified?
ARTSQ is in Japan!
Come with Ellen as they explore teamLab Planets, a fully interactive museum experience that connects visitors to the universe!
Meet ARTSQ cofounder Heather!
Meet ARTSQ co-founder Heather! Heather is based in Los Angeles, where she works as a professor of art history.
Meet ARTSQ cofounder Ellen!
Meet ARTSQ co-founder Ellen! Ellen is based in Chicago, Illinois, where they work as a curator, designer, and educator.
Meet ARTSQ cofounder Lauren!
Meet ARTSQ co-founder Lauren! The first thing you should know about Lauren is that she loves a good story—not just epic adventure and fantasy tales but also the ones that relate to people living their lives, today and in the past.