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Art

Matthew Barney

A Secret Performance

Tempered chaos is key for painter Maggie Michael (in her Washington, D.C. studio). "In control or out of control; loved or loving; sexual or violent; my work relates to different aspects of our humanness," she says.

Artist on the Rise

Contemporary artist Maggie Michael shakes up abstract painting by giving control a chance

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One Man’s Trash

Many artists throughout history, including Van Gogh, Cellini, and Michelangelo, have led lives worthy of tabloid headlines.

Artists Behaving Badly

Temperamental masters of the art world

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Saul Steinberg at Morgan Library

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The Biggest Guggenheim Ever

Rossetti identified the subject of his Lady Lilith painting as Adam's first wife—"the witch he loved before the gift of Eve." The work (1866-68) was altered in 1872-73 to please patron Frederick Leyland. The original model was Rossetti's lover Fanny Cornforth.

Incurably Romantic

For much of the 20th century, Britain’s Pre-Raphaelite were dismissed as overly sentimental. A new exhibition shows why they’re back in favor

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Out of Africa

This month a special collection €“representing most of Africa’s major artistic traditions €“goes spectacularly on view

Damon Conklin uses the body, from head to feet, as his canvas.

Today’s Tattoos

Making your mark

The new removable inks are made from safe pigments and trapped in nano-sized, harmless polymer shells.

The Tattoo Eraser

A new type of body art ink promises freedom from forever

"It is a very simple truth," novelist Henry James wrote in 1887, "that when today we look for 'American art' we find it mainly in Paris." John Singer Sargent captured the pearly light of dusk in Paris in his 1879 work In the Luxembourg Gardens.

Americans in Paris

In the late 19th century, the City of Light beckoned Whistler, Sargent, Cassatt and other young artists. What they experienced would transform American art

An Interview with Stephanie Dickey, author of “Rembrandt at 400”

Stephanie Dickey discusses Rembrandt’s ambition and what it was like to see the paintings in person

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An Interview with Amei Wallach, author of “Fabric of Their Lives”

Amy Crawford spoke with Amei about the quilters of Gee’s Bend and the artwork of quilting

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What’s Up

American Art, African Culture and Mardi Gras

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Let There Be Light

From dark and cavernous to room for everybody

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Interview on the Legacy of Andrew Wyeth

Henry Adams, author of “Wyeth’s World,” speaks with the artist about his early work, influences and technique

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Forging its Own Future

Dedicated metalsmiths help a Memphis museum revive a lost American art form

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35 Who Made a Difference: Steven Spielberg

A renowned director contemplates the lessons of history

35 Who Made a Difference: Julie Taymor

Transcending genres, the designer and director creates shamanistic theater

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Glyph Dweller

Archaeologist Alanah Woody’s infectious enthusiasm for Nevada’s rock art knows no bounds

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