The term "Empire" in American Empire furniture refers to the style's origins and inspirations from the French Empire style, which was prominent during the reign of Napoleon Bonaparte (1804-1815). The French Empire style itself drew from classical Greek and Roman design elements, characterized by grandeur, opulence, and a sense of authority. When this style made … Continue reading Collecting American Empire Furniture: Tips and Insights
An exhibition at the Maryhill Museum of Art took us behind the wheel for a hundred-mile drive along the Columbia Gorge. “The Columbia River: Wallula to the Sea” is as ambitious in its scope as it is probing in its depth. It offers a great appreciation of both the land and its people. They may … Continue reading Man and Nature – Painting the Last 300 Miles of the Columbia River Over 150 Years
In the history of still life paintings, the genre has always been more than the sum of its parts. In the golden age of Dutch paintings, earthly pleasure is in full bloom, but only ephemeral. Cezanne would direct us into the sensation of his objects rather than to the objects themselves. Even in America, the … Continue reading Not Just Another Flower Painting
We don’t have any experience with the Seattle Art Fair prior, but the 2023 edition was said to be a comeback show. If so, that speed of recovery was on full display this year as 25 additional galleries joined the fair at the Lumen Event Center. A steady crowd Friday seemed to have been dwarfed … Continue reading Seattle Art Fair 2024: A Vibrant Comeback Show with New Additions
Ask Microsoft Copilot or do a search and you'll "discover" the modern doorknob was invented in 1878 by Osbourn Dorsey. Yet, I've lived in or been familiar with houses much older - going back many dozens of years prior, all of which had doorknobs. The AI response continues… "Before that, people used handles or leather … Continue reading The Internet Thinks the Doorknob was Invented in 1878
Urban Art & Antiques 