From the elements of art to the great goddess Durga — Smarthistory is adding new content every week.
Prehistoric to contemporary
videos + essays
Gordon Matta-Clark, Splitting
Gordon Matta-Clark’s interventions explored modernist architecture and urban decay.
Fit for a duke: Broederlam’s Crucifixion Altarpiece
Introducing a lavish altarpiece with vibrant images. Exploring the narrative and visual threads that connect its featured stories.
Byzantine Griffin Panel
A panel with a Griffin (a lion and an eagle — the king of birds and the king of animals — combined).
A chalise from the Attarouthi Treasure
A sumptuous silver and gold chalice starring a youthful Christ, a saint slaying a dragon (could it be George?), and more.
Renaissance woman: Isabella d’Este
In history classes, we often hear about renaissance men: Cosimo de’ Medici, Leonardo da Vinci, and Niccolò Machiavelli. Where were the women?
Durga Slays the Buffalo Demon at Mamallapuram
The great goddess Durga slays the buffalo demon Mahishasura in a 7th century rock-cut temple in Mamallapuram, India.
A brief history of the cultures of Asia
An introduction to the diverse cultures of Asia and their intersecting histories
The City at night, Joseph Stella’s The Voice of the City of New York Interpreted
An interpretation of the city's colossal skyscrapers
Should Art Be Publicly Funded?
In 2018, .004% of the US budget went to the National Endowment for the Arts.
What does art tell us about gender?
There is a huge range of ways that gender has been understood and represented in the history of art.
What does resistance look like?
Resistance isn't always visible, but when we can see it in art, what does it look like?