THATMuse

Eras of Greek Art: Pottery Edition

The Different Eras of Greek Pottery When you first think of ancient Greece, what do you think of?  Do you think of great mythological stories of wondrous adventures as told through intricate pottery depicting these great scenes?  Greek… Read More

The Statue of Gudea & the Art of Serenity

It’s not always easy to be the epitome of serenity and piety. Yet, Sumerian ruler Gudea worked hard to portray these qualities. He even immortalized his calm image in stone! Let’s look at this peaceful Statue of Gudea.  

Mannerism and Masks: Bronzino’s Portrait of a Young Man

Bronzino, a mannerist artist, delighted in creating witty paintings with hidden, complex meanings. Bronzino’s Portrait of a Young Man contains many clues alluding to the young man’s identity, you just have to look closely! So, hone your inner Sherlock Holmes and let’s unmask… Read More

Death, Burials, & Funerary Vases: The Ancient Greek Way

Do you know how the Ancient Greeks dealt with death? Start by looking back to the Geometric period where there’s Hades’ Underworld, elaborate burial rituals, and detailed ancient Greek funerary vases like the terracotta krater! 

Hermaphrodite: Boundless Beauty

Two forms becoming one is Hermaphrodite. With roots in ancient Greek mythology, the tale of Hermaphrodite relates to modern discussions of gender identity and, through sculptural depictions, this figure becomes a beautiful ambiguity everyone can experience.   

And Now For Dessert… More Food Inspired By Art

Did you see Stephanie Blaser’s Impressionism-inspired feast when we posted it a few weeks ago? She shared recipes for fish in foil, accompanied by a side of summer vegetables, roasted in the oven, and both inspired by Impressionist… Read More

Five Virtual Museum Tours: See Our Museums From Home

For as long as there has been VR technology, there have been half-excited, half-scaremongering think pieces proclaiming that a new age of tourism has begun. Physical tourism is out, and “virtual tourism” is in. Well, we haven’t quite… Read More

Five of the Best Podcasts About Art and Museums

We’re all finding different ways of coping with being stuck at the home during the lockdown. Some people are nurturing new passions for crafts, from knitting to felting to jewellery-making. Others are taking to the kitchen, discovering new… Read More

Crowds photographing the Mona Lisa at the Louvre, Paris

Three Famous French-ish Mothers in Art History

If you scrolled through social media over the weekend, you can’t have missed that last Sunday was Mother’s Day. Or at least, over in the US (and most other countries) it was (here in the UK we celebrate… Read More

Nike of Samothrace, statue at the Louvre

Introducing Nike: Greek Goddess of Victory

In Ancient Greek mythology, Nike was the Goddess who personified Victory.  Personifications weren’t rare in Greek religion. For example, Arete was the Goddess of excellence and virtue, and Aeltheia was the spirit of truth. Sister of Kratos (Stregth),… Read More

Plague in an Ancient City

The Plague of Athens: Lessons from Ancient Greece

Ever heard of the terrible 5th century Plague of Athens? Over 2400 years later we’re living though another dreadful health crisis. How did the Greeks handle theirs? And is coronavirus comparable to the many illnesses that have hit… Read More

How Parthenon architecture uses mythology as propaganda

The Parthenon, one of the most famous architectural complexes of all times, is a striking example of how the ancient Greeks took inspiration from their classical mythology to make sense of the real world.