For centuries, landscapes were mere backdrops—symbolic, sublime, or decorative. But in the nineteenth century, a revolution took place. Through the Barbizon School and the Impressionists, landscapes captured internal and external reality, sealing transitory beams of light, atmosphere, and sensation into eternity. Read the article to find out more.

Ever thought about the convergence of sight and sound in post-war America? As it turns out, the Abstract Expressionists, with Jackson Pollock above all, adopted the spontaneous logic of jazz musicians. How, why, and when? Read the full article to find out.

John Singer Sargent’s Portrait of Madame X didn’t just scandalize the 1884 Paris Salon—it rewrote the rules of modern portraiture. In addition to depicting Paris’ “it girl,” Madame Gautreau, it rendered quiet power struggles: between artist and subject, authenticity and artifice, tradition and ambition. Read more to learn about the portrait’s reception and long-term cultural influence.