Arts & Culture | smithsonianmag.comhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/rss/arts-culture/RSS feed for Arts & CultureenThu, 29 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000A Cult Grew Around the First Emperor of Rome in 27 B.C. A New Book Argues His Followers Might Have Created the Template for Christianityhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/cult-grew-around-first-emperor-rome-27-bce-new-book-argues-followers-created-template-christ-180989647/Augustus was seen as a descendant of the gods who would go on to redefine authority. New research posits that his rule paved the way for JesusThu, 29 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/cult-grew-around-first-emperor-rome-27-bce-new-book-argues-followers-created-template-christ-180989647/How Astronomers and Art Historians Are Working Together to Identify the Inspiration Behind Famous Works of Arthttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/how-astronomers-art-historians-working-together-identify-inspiration-behind-famous-works-art-180989649/Researchers study paintings and literature to uncover untold history of the works, sometimes finding themselves trying to discern celestial bodies from dustWed, 28 Oct 2026 11:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/how-astronomers-art-historians-working-together-identify-inspiration-behind-famous-works-art-180989649/'Wildwood' Is the Longest Stop-Motion Animated Film Ever. Each Frame of the Movie Is a Marvel of Handcrafted World Buildinghttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/wildwood-is-the-longest-stop-motion-animated-film-ever-each-frame-of-the-movie-is-a-marvel-of-handcrafted-world-building-180989742/Deborah Cook, costumer designer at stop-motion animation studio Laika, discusses creating tiny costumes for puppets in a fantastical world set in the forests of Portland, OregonFri, 23 Oct 2026 16:45:28 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/wildwood-is-the-longest-stop-motion-animated-film-ever-each-frame-of-the-movie-is-a-marvel-of-handcrafted-world-building-180989742/Celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day With These 15 Dramatic Images of the Rich, Enduring Traditions of Native Americanshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/celebrate-indigenous-peoples-day-with-these-15-dramatic-images-of-the-rich-enduring-traditions-of-native-americans-180989662/These photographs from the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest showcase Native Americans taking part in their respective tribal customsFri, 09 Oct 2026 15:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/celebrate-indigenous-peoples-day-with-these-15-dramatic-images-of-the-rich-enduring-traditions-of-native-americans-180989662/