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Eyes to behold stunning artworks in world-class museums.

From 13rd Century To 14th Century

4 min read
Islamic Art / The Met

    The ornamented headdress, arms, and rich vestments of this figure suggests that figures like this one most likely represent a sovereign's personal guard, viziers or amirs.
    Probably meant to decorate the reception hall of a ruler's court, be it the Seljuk sultan or one of his local vassals or successors, they would parallel and enhance actual ceremonies in the very setting in which they took place.
    Recent analyses have proven that a traditionally-made gypsum plaster is consistently employed on these figures and on archaeological stuccoes.
    The figures also display integrated restoration of the first half of the twentieth century, including additions in a more refined gypsum, and modern pigments (some of the reds and synthetic ultramarine blue).

Candlestick with Enthronement Scene

Islamic Art / The Met

    This sophisticated candlestick illustrates various scenes celebrating the sovereign's power over both earth and cosmos.
    Images of the planets appear alongside scenes of him slaying a lion and enjoying a royal feast.
    His authority becomes most evident in the enthronement scene.
   Here, a bearded figure bends to kiss the ruler's right hand, alluding to the obligation of kissing the sovereign's hand or the floor before him

Textile Fragment from the Chasuble of San Valerius

Islamic Art / The Met

    This brocaded textile belongs to a collection of vestments attributed to the cult of Saint Valerius, who was the bishop of Saragossa, Spain, from 290 until 315.
    During the eleventh century his body was transferred to the Cathedral of San Vicente de Roda de Isábena in Huesca (Aragon), from where relics were dispatched to other churches.
    The textiles were made to venerate the saint, with the chasuble worn on the occasion of his feast day.

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.  
-5 min read