Juan de Pareja by Diego Velázquez

Juan de Pareja by Velazquez

What makes the Juan de Pareja by Diego Velázquez an important painting?

– The enslaved artist follows us with his eyes
– A lace collar tops a soldier’s ensemble
– Preparation for the Pope’s portrait

Max Beckmann’s The Beginning

Max Beckmann's The Beginning

What’s the story behind Max Beckmann’s The Beginning?

– Chaos and control in the living room
– Puss in Boots takes one for the team
– Future fantasies behind a window

Black and Brown Blouse by Alex Katz

Black and brown blouse by Alex Katz

Why does the simple portrait Black and Brown Blouse by Alex Katz make me want to cry?

– Flat canvas full of feelings
– The unconscious pull of deep relationships
– A proprietary technique stays relevant

Joan of Arc (1879) by Jules Bastien-Lepage

Joan of Arc by Jules Bastien-LePage

Why did Jules Bastien-Lepage paint Joan of Arc in 1879?

– 400 years later – Joan of Arc became a hero
– The 100 years war parallels the Franco-Prussian war
– A saint in the backyard … surrounded by angel messengers

Arrangement in Grey and Black No. 1. – James Whistler

Arrangement in Grey and Black No. 1. by James WhistlerArrangement in Grey and Black No. 1. by James Whistlerv

Why does James Whistler not even mention his mother in the painting title Arrangement in Grey and Black No. 1. ?

– Rebellion in grey and black planes
– Whistler inherited her cold manner
– He only cared for form and composition