Degas’ “After the Bath” Series

In June, The Wandering Art Historian book club completed a discussion of its sixth book this year – that’s a lot of books! – and I have to say that it was the most fun I have had in a long time! June’s book was The Art Forger by B.A. Shapiro and I cannot recommend […]

My Covid Classics – #16

The Wandering Art Historian book club tackled Irving Stone’s Lust for Life last week and I am having big feelings. I can’t remember if this was my third or fourth time reading this book, but I do know that it was my first since researching, writing and producing my four-week class, The Legacy of Vincent […]

My Covid Classics – #14

The Wandering Art Historian book club tackled Sebastian Smee’s nonfiction title The Art of Rivalry for its February discussion and there was a lot to discuss! Smee’s intent is to challenge the reader with a closer look at four pairs of modern artists and their tumultuous relationships with each other. These artistic couples were Matisse […]

My Covid Classics – #13

This week’s blog post is celebrating the return of The Wandering Art Historian book club in 2021! January’s book club discussion centered around Christina Baker Kline’s novel A Piece of the World. The protagonist of this book is Christina Olson, the real-life woman depicted in Andrew Wyeth’s 1948 masterpiece of American art, “Christina’s World.” I’ve […]

“The Last Nude” by Ellis Avery

The Last Nude by Ellis Avery flips the script on the traditional (and misogynistic) notion of the relationship between an artist and their muse. In some ways, it plays into the seemingly patriarchal trope of the famous artist passionately and erotically obsessed with a beautiful young woman in need of some perceived rescuing, whether physically […]

Art Lover’s Gift Guide – Part 1

It is that time of year again and even though the 2020 holiday season looks a bit different, some things never change… like the stress that comes from trying to find the perfect gift! If you need a little help finding the perfect gift for the art lover in your life, check out this list […]

My Covid Classics – #8

The Wandering Art Historian book club met last week to discuss Lydia Cassatt Reading the Morning Paper by Harriet Scott Chessman. This slim tome packs a mighty emotional punch that seems to resonate even more profoundly in 2020, despite the story being set in 1878. Told from the perspective of Mary Cassatt’s sister and frequent […]

My Covid Classics – #7

The Wandering Art Historian book club is going strong and will host discussions in September and October before taking a break in November and December. August’s book club pick was The Passion of Artemisia by Susan Vreeland. I really enjoyed this fast-paced book written from Artemisia’s perspective. Imagining the behind-the-scenes preparations for her epic Italian […]

My Covid Classics – #6

On the last Friday in July, The Wandering Art Historian book club discussed Broad Strokes: 15 Women Who Made Art & Made History (in That Order) by Bridget Quinn. To celebrate our second gathering via Zoom and to honor one of the incredible artists discussed in our book, I decided to recreate one of my […]

The Wandering Art Historian Book Club

At this time of year, I would typically be eyeballs deep in The Art Lovers’ Book Club hosted by the Winter Garden Art Association. Since this is no normal year and it is not safe enough for us to meet in person, I decided to move forward with The Wandering Art Historian Book Club on […]