The gleaming white walls, lack of windows, gilded inscriptions and strange floating sphere of golden leaves looks like a temple built by some secretive, mythic people. Josef Maria Olbrich, The Secession Building by Dr. Laura Morowitz
Cellini's salt cellar was prized as luxury tableware and was also an intellectual conversation starter in renaissance France. Benvenuto Cellini, Salt Cellar by Alice Blow
This portrait is one of thousands stolen by the Nazis, and its story shows that the madness didn’t end with WWII. Nazi looting: Egon Schiele’s Portrait of Wally by Dr. Erin Thompson and Dr. Beth Harris
Silver ink on purple parchment—what luxury! This is the oldest surviving illustrated biblical text. The Vienna Genesis by Dr. Diane Reilly
Two different portraits—it’s St. Matthew in both, but watch the style change from smooth modeling to frenzied brushwork. Matthew in the Coronation Gospels and Ebbo ... by Dr. Jennifer Awes Freeman
A family outing begins with a river crossing and ends with Jacob wrestling an angel. This story twists and turns. The Story of Jacob from the Vienna ... by Dr. Nancy Ross and Dr. Steven Zucker
Join the birds and soar through this frozen landscape. On the pond below, playful scenes warm the air. Pieter Bruegel the Elder, Hunters in the ... by Dr. David Boffa
A well-dressed artist paints Clio, the muse of history, but as with any Vermeer, the real subject here is light. Johannes Vermeer, The Art of Painting by Dr. Steven Zucker and Dr. Beth Harris
Bruegel offers up a slice of peasant life. Despite our historical distance, this is a wedding party we can attend. Pieter Bruegel the Elder, Peasant Wedding by Dr. Beth Harris and Dr. Steven Zucker
These three learned men differ in age, outlook, and dress. But do they represent religions, eras, or philosophies? Giorgione, Three Philosophers by Dr. Beth Harris and Dr. Steven Zucker
Without historical sources, what gives an artist authority to depict the divine? Gossaert channels St. Luke. Jan Gossaert, Saint Luke Painting the Madonna by Dr. Beth Harris and Dr. Steven Zucker
What a show-off! Hoping to win a papal commission, the confident young painter foregrounds his hand—and his skill. Parmigianino, Self-Portrait in a Convex Mirror by Dr. Beth Harris and Dr. Steven Zucker
With her open mouth, tilted head, and soft flesh, Io exudes sensuality, giving herself up willingly to Jupiter. Correggio, Jupiter and Io by Dr. Beth Harris and Dr. Steven Zucker
Just another day in Hell. Bosch’s seemingly endless representations of pain and suffering betray his dark vision. Hieronymus Bosch, Last Judgment Triptych by Dr. Beth Harris and Dr. Steven Zucker
With gold that recalls a Byzantine art, Klimt created a modern icon in this cosmic and eternal painting. Gustav Klimt, The Kiss by Dr. Steven Zucker and Dr. Beth Harris
Originally part of a total work of art, this frieze was accompanied by a sculpture of Beethoven and music by him. Gustav Klimt, Beethoven Frieze by Dr. Steven Zucker and Dr. Beth Harris
Made for a Christian ruler by Islamic artisans, this cloak is full of Islamic motifs and cosmological references. Coronation Mantle by Dr. Steven Zucker and Dr. Beth Harris
Such a gruesome act; such a passive woman. But is she really so refined? With Cranach, meaning is never clear-cut. Lucas Cranach the Elder, Judith with the ... by Dr. Steven Zucker and Dr. Beth Harris
From the ruffled veil around Mary’s face to the lancet windows of a very Gothic Jerusalem, Rogier revels in detail. Rogier van der Weyden, Crucifixion Triptych by Dr. Steven Zucker and Dr. Beth Harris
Get out your Pantone colors—and count the shades of green. With stunning precision, Dürer elevates humble ground. Albrecht Dürer, The Large Piece of Turf by Dr. Steven Zucker and Dr. Beth Harris