Ilya Repin’s painting of Ivan the Terrible and his son Ivan is one of the brightest examples of controversial and unsettling Russian art. The image of Ivan the Terrible, a cruel tyrant and a desperate father in one person, is memorable and dramatic, leaving a long-lasting emotional impression on viewers. Yet, the painting’s notoriety doesn’t stem solely from its dramatic depiction of a tragic event; its symbolism and meaning have gone far beyond.

Jeff Koons is widely famous as a contemporary sculptor with a unique visual style. Some art lovers describe Koons as a master of spectacle; others associate him with cultural provocation. Yet, though the artist definitely falls for kitsch, with his balloon dogs and stainless-steel inflatables symbolizing lightness and unlimited creativity, the backstage of creative production is still meticulous and precise.

What comes to an art lover’s mind when they think about Sandro Botticelli? This world-famous Renaissance painter has left a trace in global art legacy with images of ethereal beauty and dreamlike characters. His paintings have flowing lines and hide numerous philosophical ideas and cultural references that may escape the viewer’s gaze at first. Here is a brief guide to Botticelli’s symbolism that many might have missed.

Vincent van Gogh created over 30 self-portraits throughout his career, each with a unique and emotional color palette. Their careful evaluation shows that the genius artist managed to employ the principles of expressive color long before these concepts were described in modern psychology and the study of color. Here is a brief tour of color choices as another symbolic element in van Gogh’s self-portraits, serving as a diary of the artist’s turbulent emotional profile and creative journey.

There’s hardly anyone in the world who knows nothing about Banksy art. Banksy has been securing a top place in the global rating of street artists due to a unique combination of factors. These include the power and intrigue of anonymity, the artist’s strong and timely social, political, and environmental commentary, and his distinct visual style. Here is a glimpse of Banksy’s secret formula of global fame.

While Hollywood cultivates the quick, crazy overnight stories, things don’t work this way in the global art market. The rule of thumb is that, in most cases, contemporary art celebrities are not born overnight. The “new blue-chip” market segment is cultivated through concerted efforts, including museum visibility, art fair and exhibition participation, and the label of prestige and exclusivity associated with an artist’s name and style.

When art connoisseurs talk about the Renaissance, they mostly mean the roster of Italian art geniuses, including Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael. Each of these artists made enormous contributions to the development of art and science of their times. Yet, north of the Alps, several other Renaissance gems lived and worked in that notable historical period. One of them was Albrecht Dürer, a talented painter, printmaker, and scientist.

The name of Louis Wain (1860-1939) and the associated cat image became widely known long before cat images found many daring reinterpretations in modern pop art and culture. The illustrated world of Wain offered a completely new image of a humble household cat, turning furry human companions into playful and expressive creatures with a unique appeal. The distinct human depiction of cats and a unique style in which Wain presented them gave rise to a new visual culture and design trend.