What’s that dog yapping about? This mischievous woman throws caution—and her slipper—to the wind. Jean-Honoré Fragonard, The Swing by Dr. Ashley Bruckbauer
Singer Sargent’s evocative canvas turns a sweet, ordinary scene into a symphony of shapes and colors. John Singer Sargent, Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose by Dr. Rebecca Jeffrey Easby
Producing this lush miniature involved many Persian artists—and likely some familiarity with Chinese sources. The Court of Gayumars by Dr. Nancy Demerdash, Dr. Filiz Çakir Phillip, Curator, Aga Khan Museum and Dr. Michael Chagnon, Curator, Aga Khan Museum
In the distance, lightning strikes. What does it mean? Poetic and evocative, this painting invites interpretation. Giorgione, The Tempest by Dr. James R. Jewitt
Originally a sliding wall, these golden panels use bamboo, a Chinese motif, to illustrate a Japanese poetic trope. Bamboo in the Four Seasons: painting and ... by Dr. Sonia Coman and Dr. Steven Zucker
Hospitality was key in ancient Rome, and this wall painting shows the gifts that guests may have received. Still Life with Peaches by Dr. Lea Cline
The Colombian Chorographic Commission mapped the country while also documenting the landscape and its people. Carmelo Fernández, The Strait of Furatena in ... by Dr. Verónica Uribe Hanabergh
Blue-and-white porcelain was much admired at the Imperial court, but a booming export market also drove production. Chinese porcelain: production and export by The British Museum
Not all Chinese porcelain is blue and white. Overglaze enamels add touches of pink, green, yellow, and black. Chinese porcelain: decoration by The British Museum
Rivera celebrates indigenous culture, but also points to poverty in this melancholy painting of a flower seller. Diego Rivera, Calla Lilly Vendor (Vendedora de ... by Dr. Beth Harris and Dr. Steven Zucker
Every inch of this contemplative space was carefully crafted—there’s bamboo, patterned paving, and scholar’s rocks. Master of the (Fishing) Nets Garden by Dr. Kristen Loring Brennan and Dr. Steven Zucker
These self-portraits were swapped like friendship bracelets among Gauguin, Bernard, and their buddy Van Gogh. Gauguin, Self-Portrait with Portrait of Émile Bernard ... by Dr. Beth Harris and Dr. Steven Zucker
In this hunting scene from the Persian Book of Kings, the ruler Bahram lives up to his nickname “Gur,” or swift. Bahram Gur Fights the Karg (Horned Wolf) by Jayne Yantz
This atmospheric space awakens the eye, heightens the senses, and prepares the path for enlightenment. Ryōanji (Peaceful Dragon Temple) by Dr. Yoonjung Seo
Scenes show Nebamun’s family at work and play, giving vibrant insight into the lives of ancient Egyptian elites. Paintings from the Tomb-chapel of Nebamun by The British Museum
Hidden under volcanic ash for millennia, the beautiful frescoes in the houses of Akrotiri were recently unearthed. Akrotiri, Thera by Steven Zucker and Beth Harris
Zheng’s precise calligraphic strokes lend vitality and movement to these delicate flowers. But are they rootless? Zheng Sixiao, Ink Orchid by Hung Sheng
The subject is conventional, but Liang Kai’s airy composition makes this painting unusual. What’s behind the mist? Liang Kai, Poet Strolling by a Marshy ... by The Metropolitan Museum of Art
When Matisse painted this, all the cool kids were into cubist geometry—and Matisse was definitely cool. Henri Matisse, The Blue Window by The Museum of Modern Art
Inspired by the sheen of ancient Roman and Syrian glass, Tiffany created startling, modern objects. Louis Comfort Tiffany, Vase by The Museum of Modern Art