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Birds in Art: A Collection of Stunning Works Inspired by Our Feathered Friends

4 min read

Pictorial Carpet

Islamic Art / The Met

    This silk carpet combines an unusually dense weave for a Persian carpet, with a composition inspired by Flemish tapestry.
    While the pictorial scene can be traced to seventeenth-century Europe, the technique and execution point to the Safavid court as the source of patronage and production.
    It is possible that such carpets were woven in Iran for export or intended as diplomatic gifts.
    The smaller scale of the buildings suggests the influence of European perspective.
    The border compartments, whose arrangement is also repeated symmetrically, show figures in European dress, flower vases, and reclining deer.

The Deity Vajrabhairava, Tantric Form of the Bodhisattva Manjushri

Asian Art / The Met

    The most popular tantric manifestation of Manjushri is Vajrabhairava.
   Here, he has a buffalo head, holds an array of weapons, and tramples on birds, dogs, and Hindu gods
    In this form, he is sometimes called Yamantaka, or the defeater of death, a deity that ends the cycle of rebirth and provides a path to nirvana.
    He frightens away egotism and selfishness - the root of suffering - and in this true form reveals the awesome and terrifying nature of enlightenment.

Study of a Bird

Iranian, ca. 1565–d. 1635 / The Met

    This painting is one of the latest works by the artist.
    The bird appears true-to-life and animated, although it is not proportional in relation to the trees in the background.
    The painting is of a nightingale.

From 14th Century To 15th Century

From 14th Century To 15th Century

During the 14th and 15th centuries, artists in Europe began to break away from the traditional Gothic style. They began to experiment with new techniques and styles, resulting in a period of great creativity and innovation in the arts. Some of the most famous artworks from this period include the paintings of Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, and the sculptures of Donatello. Box with Romance Scenes     This coffret illustrated with scenes from Arthurian and other courtly literature of the M
-5 min read
From 1819 To 1826

From 1819 To 1826

The 19th century was a time of great change in the world of art. Artists began to experiment with new styles and media, and the art world was forever changed as a result. Some of the most famous artists of the time include Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet, and Pablo Picasso. The Falls of Niagara     The painting is of Niagara Falls from the Canadian side.     The painting is based on a vignette of the falls from a map of North America published by Henry S. Tanner in 1822. Heroic Landscape w
-4 min read
From 1787 To 1800

From 1787 To 1800

The 18th century was a time of great change in the world of art. New styles and genres emerged, and artists began to experiment with new techniques and materials. The art of the 18th century reflected the changing times, and the growing interest in the natural world and the human form. Elizabeth Farren (born about 1759, died 1829), Later Countess of Derby     The Irish actress Elizabeth Farren made her London debut in 1777 and soon became one of the most popular comic performers of the day.  
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