Art History Perspectives: Before You Go

For the final episode of Season One, we embarked on a voyage down the river of life. Our companion is experiencing the trials and tribulations of life in this reflective piece. Take some time to think about what Thomas Cole had in mind when painting this series and listen in to get a break down of what's going on in each work.

In this episode, we cover one of my all-time favorite artists, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, and his work in the National Gallery of Art. Although this work is lesser known, it is still a phenomenal study!

As far as American paintings go this one may take the cake. Niagara by Frederic Church is a monumental piece that captures our attention because of its irregular shape and its astounding subject. Listen in if you would like to hear more about this stunning masterpiece.

This is Soap Bubbles, by Chardin. A romantic work that indulges in the curiosities surrounding blowing bubbles and what it takes to paint something transparent. Join in on an exploration of Chardin and one of his most carefree works of art.

Today we are talking about Boy in a Red Waistcoat which is an oil painting on canvas completed by Cézanne in 1890. This work is a wonderful exploration of how impressionists were pursuing their techniques as the movement began. Let's talk about Cézanne's importance as an impressionist artist.

Today we are talking about Claude Monet's Woman with a Parasol. Let's dive deeper into this seemingly candid family portrait and talk about how this piece fits into the era of Impressionism.

One of Rembrandt van Rijn's many portraits is our subject of discussion for today. Rembrandt is an artist who knows how to create a lifelike painting that makes you feel as though the subject could just walk out of the frame, and this self-portrait is no different!

Our painting for today is Laocöon by El Greco. With the same title as the famous statue of Laocöon, this painting depicts the story of an unlucky man from Troy who lost the favor of the gods. Let's talk about his story today!

The Annunciation by Jan van Eyck is an unusual part of the National Gallery of Art's collection. Today we are diving into the intricate details of this painting and how they help expand the relevance of this piece!

This week we are talking about still life paintings and Vase of FLowers by Jan Davidsz de Heem. Have you ever wondered if there is more to still life than the pretty flowers. Well, today we are talking about what is going on behind the scenes. Check it out!

This memorial is a special part of the National Gallery of Art's collection. It is one of the few civil war memorials that is in remembrance of both a colonel and his troops. Let's talk about it in today's episode!

This statue is a quick departure from our regular paintings. Today let's talk about Edgar Degas' Little Dancer Aged Fourteen. This work also falls into the impressionist era and teaches a little about how technique can be applied in many forms.

This self-portrait is an interesting bridge between the impressionist movement and the post-impressionist movement. It is one of the first abstract self-portraits that we see and it catches the eye with its brilliant colors. But let's take a closer look and uncover some of the symbolism that Gauguin integrates into his self-portrait!

This portrait of a young girl reading was completed by Fragonard in 1769. It is a gorgeous part of the National Gallery of Art's collection. The colors alone are enough to draw you in, but with the subtle opulence and innate beauty of this piece, you are sure to stop and stare for a while.

The Alba Madonna by Raphael is one of the few Renaissance works in the National Gallery of Art's collection. Today let's talk about why it is a significant part of this collection and what we can learn from this piece.

Today let's talk about The Railway by Édouard Manet, the father of modern art. This piece is a beautiful part of the National Gallery of Art's collection and captures the many aspects of the Impressionism movement and Impressionist artwork.

Let's talk about one of the many works by Vincent van Gogh in the National Gallery of Art's collection, his self-portrait! This is not any normal self-portrait, this self-portrait helps us take a deeper dive into the mind of van Gogh. 

This Chalice is a special piece in the National Gallery of Art's collection because it belongs to one of the most carefully curated collections of artifacts from the twelfth century. This Chalice combines aspects of the old and new world to create a piece that was used in the celebration of mass, while also emphasizing the unity of the universal church.

This portrait by Rogier van der Weyden is of an unknown lady who is representing the styles of the Northern Renaissance. Listen in to this podcast to dissect the structural composition of this specific portrait and why it is an important contribution to the art of the Northern Renaissance.

The Repentant Magdalen is a work by Georges de la Tour, a French Baroque artist. This painting is one of the many Baroque paintings in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. However, the motivation for using common Baroque techniques is not quite the same. Learn more about this piece by listening to this episode!

Woman Holding a Balance is one of only 35 works by Vermeer that have survived until today. It is a gem in the National Gallery of Art's Collection because of its details and beauty. If you would like to learn more about Vermeer and this painting, listen in!

Impressionist Mary Cassatt captures a serene moment in time for The Boating Party (1893). This work is one of the many Impressionist works in the National Gallery of Art's collection, but it is one of the few works by a female artist. Let's talk about impressionism and how Cassatt put her own spin on it in this podcast!

Judith Leyster's Self-Portrait is helping us kick off Women's History Month by celebrating the women artists who paved that path for all female artists to come. Leyster's Self-Portrait is also an interesting work to look into as it offers a unique take on artist self-portraiture during the 17th century. Listen in to learn more about this painting!

Leonardo da Vinci's painting of Ginevra de'Benci is a gem in the National Gallery of Art's collection. Leonardo's first time with portraiture is certainly a memorable one with this piece. In true Leonardo da Vinci fashion, this portrait becomes more than a portrait with the subtle inclusion of imagery and a pun as well! Listen to get some background on this painting and learn a little bit more about art in the Italian Renaissance.

Watson and the Shark is one of the best-known pieces of American Art in the collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. This painting captures a highly dramatic moment right before a shark attack and will keep you in suspense as you wait for it to drop back into motion. Listen to a brief introduction into the background of the piece and the things that you should know so that you can understand this work of art!

Welcome to Season One of Before You Go! Learn a little bit more about the Before You Go Podcast and get excited about our first episode!