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Getting ready to ring in the New Year? If so, why not celebrate in style with these creative party products?

Each snazzy item featured in this list offers a unique alternative to a classic New Year's Eve staple. A quirky bat bottle opener, rainbow cocktail glasses, and fancy crystal bottle stoppers will transform your table into a dazzling display, while sparkling twinkle star lights and glistening jewelry can turn any party into a sparkling spectacle (even if it's a virtual one). Best of all, you can continue to use these products well into the new year.

Whether you are the hosting your own party or just a guest looking to bring a memorable gift to the host, there are plenty of special finds in our list.

With such an eclectic mix of cool products, here's hoping 2024 will be off to a good start!

Celebrate in style with these New Year's Eve party ideas!

2024 Party Crown to Make You Feel Like Royalty

lovecrushcrowns | $37.76

An Illustrated Watch to Help You Count Down to Midnight

Red Juan Shop | $21.85+

A Quirky Camera Phone Case to Help Capture Memories

UnnFiko | $11.99

Fuji Instax Mini Camera for Fans of Analog Photography

Fujifilm | $139.99

Sparkle With Stylish Fireworks Earrings

WhimsyMoonflower | $25.69

Balloon Sculptures That Won't Pop!

AllSeasonsService | $23.12+

Sparkly Silver Bag to Keep Your Phone (and More) Handy

Walmart | $23.99

Fun Confetti Poppers to Spread Joy

thestreamerbox | $7.75

Embroidery Floral Tattoos To Stand Out

Tattly | $15

Star Earrings That Are Perfect for the Holidays

Pamflyjewelry | $18.33

Whimsical Art Socks

Chattyfeet | $39.95

Disco Ball Drop Cup 

ShopSaltandSparkle | $24.34

Glitter Gel Polish

Beetles Gel Polish | $9.99

Fun Photo Booth Props

The Manic Moose | $54.90

A Fashionable Scarf

Shovava | $62+

Touchscreen Gloves to Help You Use Your Phone in the Cold While You Wait for the Countdown

DtoDShop | $23.06

A Quirky Bat Bottle Opener

OTOTO | $29.95

Giant Coloring Poster to Keep the Kids Busy

Tiny Expressions Store | $34.15

Sparkly Backdrop to Set the Party Atmosphere

Oh My Darling Party Co | $61.61+

Editable Party Invitation

Knicknacks And Prints | $9.75

Create a Festive Atmosphere With Twinkling Star Lights Decor

Twinkle Star | $19.99

Gold Glitter Clear Swizzle Sticks to Mix Drinks

Honoson | $10.99

New Year's Eve Card Games to Create a Fun Party Vibe

Big Dot of Happiness | $15.99

Plantable Wish Cards to Write Down Your New Year's Resolutions

Uncommon Goods | $10

Dazzling Gold Toasting Flutes to Sip Cocktails in Style

CHATEAU FINE TABLEWARE | $25.99

Or, Mix the Perfect Cocktail with Bartender Glasses

Kikkerland Design | $25

Custom Party Noisemakers to Set the Mood

Birch Bar and Co | $51.82

Fun Clock Place Settings

Martha's Goat Store | $31.17

Crystal Bottle Stopper

EarthyStoneTreasures | $34.16+

Quirky Champagne Bottle Cookie Cutters for Party Theme Desserts

CookieCutterLady | $3.44+

Quirky Dinnerware for a New Year's Eve Meal

KeithHershberger | $118.34

Peace & Love Fringe Banner for Well Wishes in 2024

Fun Cult | $63.44

Fondue Pot Set for Cheese, Appetizers, and Chocolates

Hamilton Beach | $36.99

This article has been edited and updated.

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READ: 33 Creative Products To Help Ring in the New Year in Style

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Picking out the perfect gift for interior designers can be intimidating. After all, their entire practice revolves around having an eye for good design. In order to make this task easier, we've mapped out our favorite shops and constructed a collection of thoughtful and imaginative interior design gifts.

Here, you'll find gift ideas inspired by the ins and outs of interior design. Many of these presents capture the practice's focus on color, like the Pantone swatch coffee mug, paint chip calendar, and color wheel lapel pin. Others reimagine traditional tools like a paintbrush as delicate jewelry, in the form of a delicate necklace or a pair of mismatched earrings. Design lovers will appreciate the vibrant touches these creative products can add to their everyday routine. We've even thrown in some practical gifts, such as a professional color-matching tool or a luxurious colored pencil set for sketching ideas.

Another great gift can be something special for their own homes. We picked out modern ceramic vases for recipients to display artful bouquets on their tabletops, and a high-quality art print of a Van Gogh painting to embellish any wall. In addition, giving a new fragrance will make any space much more inviting, like a set of Nest candles that includes a variety of pleasant scents.

Finally—and fittingly—some simply pay homage to iconic designers, from Mid-century modern chair prints to Frank Lloyd Wright tea towels. We also picked out a coffee table book that explores beautiful British decor, surely bringing inspiration for their own interiors. And when it's not in use, makes a lovely addition to the living room.

No matter which gift you give, you're guaranteed to get floor-to-ceiling praise from interior design lovers!

Know a creative interior designer? Wow them from wall to wall with these imaginative design gifts.

Circular Hollow Ceramic Vases

decotimeco | $24.40+

Van Gogh Roses Poster

SugarnCanvas | $10.82+

Book of Beautiful Interiors

Jenny Rose-Innes | $46.50

Pantone Colors Coffee Mug

Pantone swatch coffee mug | $14.99

Nest Candle Set

NEST | $46

Digital Color Reader

Datacolor | $249

Color Wheel Lapel Pin

Yellow Owl Workshop | $13.25

Color Problems by Emily Noyes Vanderpoel

Emily Noyes Vanderpoel | $35

Paintbrush Necklace

UniqueAnomaly | $27.99+

Holographic Stapler

NatSumeBasics | $12.89

Elegant Wine Glass Set

Catherine Martin | $64

Mid-Century Modern Planter

Kimisty Designs | $78.44

Bioluminescent Octopus Orb

Uncommon Goods | $46+

Dawn Redwood Bonsai Forest

Uncommon Goods | $50

Standing Desk & Laptop Stand

TheDeskStand | $159+

Caran d'Ache Pablo Colored Pencil Set

Caran d'Ache | $91.50

Luxe Faux Fur Throw Blanket

Anthrpologie | $138

Rug Bookmarks

Inusitus | $18.95

Paint Chip Calendar

Maalbok Store | $8.46

Mid-Century Modern Furniture Print Set 

Kelsey M. Designs | $18.50+

Chair Pattern Spiral Notebook

Enlinea Studio | $23

RGB & CMYK Earrings

Yellow Owl Workshop | $21.50

Cactus and Succulent Soy Container Candle

Zoet Candles | $27.50

 ‘Eat, Sleep, DESIGN, Repeat' T-Shirt

Eat Sleep Design Repeat Shirts | $19.99

Grecian Bookends

StaticGaze | $60

Interior Design Reference & Specification Book Updated & Revised: Everything Interior Designers Need to Know Every Day

Chris Grimley, Mimi Love | $26.03

Interior Design Coloring Book

Blue Star Press | $12.99

Frank Lloyd Wright Tea Towels

Uncommon Goods | $15

Modular Placemats

LineArcDesign | $18

Retro Interior Design Watercolor Stickers

YanaFefelovaArt | $3.90

Interior Design Canvas Tote Bag

Lexa Art Wear | $22.73

Desktop Brainstorming Whiteboard

Uncommon Goods | $69

This article has been edited and updated.

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READ: 32 Chic Gifts for Imaginative Interior Designers

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, My Modern Met may earn an affiliate commission. Please read our disclosure for more info.

For a child, few things are more exciting than unwrapping a shiny new toy on Christmas morning. While tried-and-true classic playthings like baby dolls and toy trucks are sure to satisfy, why not experiment with some more imaginative gift ideas this year that boost creativity? From art supplies to STEM toys, we've put together a list of the best Christmas gifts to satisfy your kiddos.

For toddlers, the best gifts help expand their curious minds. Whether they're constructing palaces with magnetic blocks and pretending to be an astronaut with a NASA backpack, there's plenty to select from. Once kids hit elementary school, a fun way to encourage their growth is through unique gifts that allow them to create anything they can imagine. That could mean using a low-heat 3D printing pen made specifically for kids or fostering their love of different cultures with a learning globe.

We also have plenty of special gifts for kids aged 8 and up. As kids enter into their tween years, they have a stronger sense of their own personal interests. So whether you want to support their STEM interests with a chemistry set or allow them to explore their creativity with a pottery wheel or simple sewing machine, there are still a lot of great gifts to choose from.

In this selection of creative gifts for kids—aged toddler to tweens—you're sure to find the perfect present for your favorite little ones. From hands-on kits that allow them to do it themselves while developing fine motor skills to fun items that will help develop their problem-solving skills, this quirky collection of recommendations guarantees a merry Christmas—and a creative new year for the whole family!

If you're in need of playful presents for the creative kids in your life, look no further than our selection of imaginative Christmas gifts for kids, broken up by age range.

Age 3+

Learn to Mix & Spin DJ Pad

Uncommon Goods | $45 (age 3+)

Wooden Anatomy Puzzle

FistikPuzzles | $48.79+ (age 3+)

Learn-to-Play Electric Guitar Set

Loog | $199+ (age 3+)

Magnetic Neon Colored Tiles

MAGNA-TILES | $129.99 (age 3+)

Spiral Art Maker

Spirograph | $19.99

Light Up Drawing Tees

Uncommon Goods | $25 (age 3+)

Astronaut Backpack

Aeromax | $38.25 (age 3+)

Educational Building Blocks

Taksa Toys | $39.99 (age 3+)

Personalized Crayon Names

art2theextreme | $24.34+ (age 3+)

Thinking Putty

Crazy Aaron's | $14.95 (age 3+)

“My First Telescope”

Educational Insights | $20 (age 4+)

Cardboard Tool Kit

Uncommon Goods | $22 (age 4+)

Publish Your Own Storybook Kit

Uncommon Goods | $30

Age 5+

Magic Adventures Globe

LeapFrog | $84.99 (age 5+)

Shadow Puppet Theater

WoodNLotsofArt | $187.62+ (age 5+)

Space Mission LEGO Set

LEGO | $69.99

Origami for Beginners Book

Florence Temko | $6.95 (age 5+)

Planetarium Projector

Discovery Kids | $49 (age 6+)

Kid Friendly 3D Printing Pen

MYNT3D | $38.53 (age 6+)

RC Gravity Rover

Shaper Image | $34.99 (age 6+)

Rad Rainbow Crafts Supplies Case

Mondo Llama | $25 (age 6+)

Light-Up Tracing Pad

Binney & Smith | $26.99 (age 6+)

DIY Terrarium Kit

Creativity for Kids | $11.24 (age 6+)

Needlepoint Kit

SozoDIY | $36.61 (age 6+)

Sound-Activated Light Blocks

Uncommon Goods | $40+ (age 6+)

Age 8+

Make Your Own Video Game Kit

Uncommon Goods | (age 8+)

Crystal Growing Kit

National Geographic | $39.99 (age 8+)

Musical Chain Reaction Kit

Uncommon Goods | $65

String Art Heart Light Craft Kit

Creativity for Kids | $10.59 (age 8+)

Pottery Wheel Kit

Faber-Castell | $45.98 (age 8+)

Edible Chemistry Kit

Copernicus | $23.99 (age 8+)

Sewing Machine for Kids

Cool Maker | $22.99 (age 8+)

Step-by-Step Book on How to Make a Movie

Danny Tieger | $10 (age 8+)

Create Your Own Comic Book Kit

UncommonGoods | $30 (age 8+)

This article has been edited and updated.

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Throughout history, cultures across the globe have adopted creative ways to deal with death. In ancient China, they crafted funerary sculptures to fill complex mausoleums. During the Dutch Golden Age, artists touched on mortality in their memento mori still life paintings. And, in modern Mexico, people celebrate Día de los Muertos, a colorful holiday dedicated to the dearly departed.

Though this festival has evolved over centuries, it remains one of Mexico's most historically and culturally important events. Here, we explore the vibrant history and distinctive traditions of the Day of the Dead in order to understand its enduring significance.

What is Día de los Muertos?

Photo: Stock Photos from Jose de Jesus Churion Del/Shutterstock)

Día de los Muertos (also known as Día de Muertos) is a Mexican holiday. The celebration occurs annually on October 31, November 1, and November 2, and is held to honor those who have died.

Specifically, the term Día de los Muertos traditionally refers to November 2, when deceased adults are commemorated. November 1—a day known as Día de los Inocentes (“Day of the Innocents”) or Día de los Angelitos (“Day of the Little Angels”)—is reserved for infants and children who have passed away, while October 31 is a day of preparation. However, “Día de los Muertos” is also commonly used to denote the entire three-day fete.

Though the specific traditions and rituals involved with the Day of the Dead vary from region to region, the celebration generally revolves around the creation of an altar, which participants fill with stylized skeletons, food, and other offerings. These altars are dedicated to deceased loved ones and are created to aid them in the afterlife—a concept that has always been central to the holiday.

History of the Holiday

Pre-Columbian Roots

Photo: Stock Photos from Patryk Kosmider/Shutterstock

Like many modern holidays, The Day of the Dead has been shaped over the course of hundreds of years. Rites and rituals reminiscent of The Day of the Dead can be traced back to the Post-Classic period (1300 to 1521) in Pre-Columbian Mexico. During this time, the Aztec Empire flourished, bringing with it a treasure trove of traditions.

Like many Mesoamerican peoples, the Aztecs viewed grief as disrespectful to the dead. Rather than mourn the loss of loved ones, they opted to celebrate their spirits, culminating in the earliest edition of the Day of the Dead.

During this month-long festival, the Aztecs welcomed visits from beyond the grave and worshipped Mictēcacihuātl, the goddess of the underworld. Fittingly, this mythological figure has historically been known as “The Lady of the Dead.”

Mictēcacihuātl depicted on the Codex Borgia manuscript (Photo: Wiki Art, Public domain)

Originally, this celebration occurred in August, the ninth month of the Aztec calendar. However, Catholic influences brought by conquistadors in the 16th century prompted a shift to its present date.

Catholic Influences

Jakub Schikaneder, “All Souls' Day,” 1888 (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Following Spanish colonization, the Day of the Dead was gradually influenced by another holiday honoring those who have died: Allhallowtide. Inspired by Pagan harvest festivities, this three-day fete comprises All Hallow's Eve, or Halloween, on October 31, All Saints' Day on November 1, and All Souls' Day on November 2.

This Catholic influence altered the religious aspect of the festival, though it remains rooted in Aztec mythology. For example, La Calavera Catrina—a secular female skeleton character that has come to symbolize Día de los Muertos—was inspired by Mictēcacihuātl.

José Guadalupe Posada, “Calavera de la Catrina (Skull of the Female Dandy),” 1913 (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Ultimately, a blend of Catholic and Pre-Columbian influences is evident in the festival and is made most prominent by the ofrenda.

The Ofrenda

On the Day of the Dead, an ofrenda, or offering, is placed on a ritual altar. Central to the celebration, these altars are found in private homes, cemeteries, and churches and welcome the dead back to earth for the three-day event.

Though often compared to Halloween, the Day of the Dead does not revolve around mischief or morbidity. Instead, it focuses on celebrating the dead—an aesthetic illustrated by its festive decorations, spirited food and drink, respectful photographs, symbolic candles, and thoughtful trinkets.

Decorations

Photo: Stock Photos from Fer Gregory/Shutterstock

Decorations are intended to honor those who have passed in a jubilant way. To achieve this, they often dazzle with bright colors and incorporate playful skull motifs.

Papel Picado

Made out of Technicolor tissue paper, papel picado (or “chiseled paper“) is a flag-like folk art that evolved from a Pre-Columbian version made out of tree bark, which was used by the Aztecs to compile codices and adorn religious sites.

Cempasúchil

Ofrendas also often feature freshly cut Cempasúchil, bright orange and yellow marigolds intended to cheer up the dead with their brilliant colors and sweet scent.

Sugar skulls

Colorful skulls made of molded sugar paste (known as calaveras) are another staple of Day of the Dead decor. These small skulls are exquisitely decorated with motifs like flowers and spiderwebs and often feature names of the dead written in foil or icing on their foreheads. Some calaveras feature inedible adornments, like beads, sequins, and feathers, while others are made to be eaten.

Calaverita

Another celebratory event that transpires on Day of the Dead is the hunt for a calaverita. On November 1, Children dress up in costumes and go door-to-door, asking strangers for a calaverita, which can come in the form of sweets or money. Though compared to Halloween, this tradition does not come with the element of mischief if no treat is exchanged.

Food and Drink

A Day of the Dead altar is typically covered in edible offerings, including the favorite foods enjoyed by the deceased person in their previous life. Additionally, most ofrendas will also include pan de muerto and spirited drinks.

Pan de Muerto

This “bread of the dead” is a type of sweet roll. It is adorned with bone-like decorations and is typically flavored with anise seeds and orange zest. Like other offerings of food, it is believed that the visiting spirits absorb and enjoy the essence of the Pan de Muerto, though it is the living who physically consume it.

Spirited Drinks

To help the spirits relax and enjoy the festivities, people will often offer alcoholic beverages like Tequila, Mezcal, and Pulque, a drink made out of fermented agave sap.

Pulque (Photo: Stock Photos from Natalia Gurieva/Shutterstock)

Photographs

Most altars feature photographs that identify who each ofrenda is dedicated to. Though often a family member, the subject can be a friend, celebrity, or even a beloved pet.

Candles

Candles are used to memorialize the dead and, symbolically, to help them find their way to the altar. Sometimes, they are placed in a cross formation, both to evoke the crucifix and to serve as a compass rose so they can orient themselves. Other times, however, their arrangement is ambiguous.

Trinkets, Toys, and Other Objects

Day of the Dead in Michoacan, Mexico (Photo: Stock Photos from DAVID PANIAGUA GUERRA/Shutterstock)

To add a personal touch to the altar, participants may add objects owned or previously enjoyed by the dead, including clothing, cigarettes, and toys. Statuettes of saints and other religious figures are popular, as are papier–mâché and clay figurines of skeletons.

Literary Calaveras

During the festivities, death is regarded with humor by Mexicans, and literary calaveras are the prime example of this. These mocking epitaphs are written in verse, and it's common for children to compose them or to find them in the press. But rather than honor a deceased person, they tell the story of a live person encountering the grim reaper. In the end, the protagonist always meets their demise in a farcical fashion, which usually has to do with something specific to their lifestyle.

Día de los Muertos Today

The Day of the Dead remains prevalent in contemporary culture—both in Mexico and beyond. In addition to making alters and attending city-wide festivals, people today often celebrate Día de los Muertos by making themselves up to look like Calaveras, a look that has also inspired countless Halloween costumes.

In 2008, the holiday was even added to UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, ensuring its enchanting legacy for years to come and drawing attention to its native roots. “This encounter between the living and the dead,” UNESCO explains, “affirms the role of the individual within society and contributes to reinforcing the political and social status of Mexico’s Indigenous communities.”

Disney Pixar's Coco

In 2017, Disney Pixar released an animated feature titled Coco that celebrates the Day of the Dead. Rolling Stone‘s Peter Travers called the film a “loving tribute to Mexican culture.” This vibrant feature-length film includes various traditions, drawing from different practices of the festival. Some recognizable cultural and artistic elements include calaveras, ofrendas, and alebrijes.

This animated film provided a platform for Día de Muertos to a global audience. This, alone, has had an immeasurable impact on the world. The film was positively received by critics and audiences alike. In fact, Coco became the highest-grossing film of all time in the Mexican market.

Day of the Dead Parade

Every year, in the last weekend of October, Mexico City hosts a large parade to celebrate the Day of the Dead. Thousands of performers dress up as catrinas and catrines, who dance and carry cheerful papier-mâché skeletons. The colorful parade also pays tribute to the many facets of Mexican culture, from its Pre-Columbian legacy to artists such as Frida Kahlo.

While this cavalcade certainly honors a centuries-old tradition, its inception is quite recent—its origins lie in a Hollywood film. The James Bond movie Spectre (2015) shows the famed agent saving the day at a big Dia de Muertos festival in Mexico City. Although it only existed in the film, the local government was drawn to the idea of having parades like the one shown in the movie, leading to what has now become a holiday staple in the Mexican capital.

Photo: diegograndi/Depositphotos

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Day of the Dead?

The Day of the Dead is spread across three days—October 31, November 1, and November 2. Día de los Muertos (“Day of the Dead”) traditionally refers to November 2, when deceased adults are commemorated. November 1 is a day known as Día de los Inocentes (“Day of the Innocents”) or Día de los Angelitos (“Day of the Little Angels”), which is reserved for infants or children who have passed away, whereas October 31 is a day of preparation.

What is the Day of the Dead?

The Day of the Dead (or Día de Muertos in Spanish) is a Mexican holiday dedicated to those who have died.

How is the Day of the Dead celebrated?

The Day of the Dead does not revolve around mischief or morbidity. Instead, it focuses on celebrating the dead—an aesthetic illustrated by its festive decorations, spirited food and drink, respectful photographs, symbolic candles, and thoughtful trinkets.

This article has been edited and updated.

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READ: Día de los Muertos: How Mexico Celebrates Its Annual “Day of the Dead”

Finally, the Halloween season is here! While tricks, treats, and other goodies offer a conventional way to celebrate the spookiest time of the year, we like to get creative while we get into the holiday spirit. So, we've conjured up a spellbinding selection of scary paintings.

Featuring symbolic skulls, smiling spiders, and one very famous Scream, this art collection is sure to dazzle art lovers and scare-seekers alike this haunted holiday—one hair-raising artwork at a time.

To celebrate the spooky season of Halloween with an art history twist, we've put together a spine-tingling selection of scary art.

A Spooky Still Life

Paul Cézanne, “Pyramid of Skulls,” 1901 (Photo via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Modern art master Paul Cézanne painted Pyramid of Skulls at the turn of the century. Featuring only a stack of human skulls as its subject, this piece offers an ominous alternative to the artist's more traditional still life paintings of fruits and bottles.

While such eerie iconography was not typical of Post-Impressionism, artists had been incorporating skulls and other symbols of mortality into arrangements of objects since ancient times. Defined as memento mori, a Latin title that translates to “remember that you have to die,” this genre of painting focuses on the fleeting nature of life.

As he approached old age, Cézanne became increasingly fascinated by death. From 1898 until the end of his life in 1905, Cézanne painted several still lifes of skulls. While most of these depictions do not focus solely on the skeletal objects, Pyramid of Skulls places them at the forefront, forcing the viewer to confront them and, consequently, reflect upon death. “These bony visages all but assault the viewer,” art historian Françoise Cachin said, “displaying an assertiveness very much at odds with the usual reserve of domestic still life tableaux.”

A Mythological Monster

Francisco de Goya, “Saturn Devouring His Son,” c. 1819–1823 (Photo: Museo del Prado via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Between 1819 and 1823, the Spanish artist Francisco de Goya created his Black Paintings, a series of 14 particularly haunting pieces. Among the most famous of these frightening works of art is Saturn Devouring His Son, a gruesome painting of a father feasting on his child.

According to Roman mythology, Saturn (Cronus in Greek folklore) was the leader of the Titans. Saturn overthrew his father, Caelus, in an effort to become ruler of the universe. Fearing his own offspring would do the same, he killed and consumed each child shortly after birth—an atrocity Goya opted to portray in this Black Painting.

Goya did not create this series for the public. In fact, they were intended to decorate his own home, with Saturn Devouring His Son hanging—where else?—in the dining room.

Biblical Revenge

Artemisia Gentileschi, “Judith Slaying Holofernes,” 1614–1620 (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

The paintings of Baroque painter Artemisia Gentileschi are characterized by a deep color palette, skilled use of light and shadow, and, most prominently, an iconographic focus on suffering female figures seeking—and getting—revenge. A painting that typifies this approach is Judith Slaying Holofernes, a masterpiece inspired by a tale from the Old Testament that sees a vengeful widow decapitating a threatening man.

When contextualized (within the context of the bible), Gentileschi's decision to portray the gory scene in graphic detail is not particularly unusual—especially for drama-loving Baroque artists. What sets Judith Slaying Holofernes apart from other allegorical paintings of the period, however, is that Gentileschi most likely snuck a sneaky portrait into the grisly piece, as the slain Holofernes bears a striking resemblance to Agostino Tassi, a fellow Italian artist who raped Gentileschi when she was 17 years old.

Mysterious Memories

Frida Kahlo, “Girl with Death Mask (She Plays Alone)” 1938 (Photo: Wiki Art, Fair Use)

Mexican painter Frida Kahlo is known for her collection of 55 self-portraits. While her most well-known works feature the artist as an adult, she also portrayed herself as a child in Girl with Death Mask (She Plays Alone).

This peculiar piece depicts a young girl standing before a barren landscape. In her hand, she holds a single yellow flower and, on her face, she wears a skull mask. Both of these props are characteristic of Día de los Muertos—or Day of the Dead— prompting the viewer to reflect upon themes related to death. Finally, a beastly mask rests at her feet, adding even more mystery to the chilling painting.

Girl with Death Mask (She Plays Alone) was painted in 1938—the year before her dramatic divorce from fellow artist Diego Rivera. Like many works created during this time, this piece was likely inspired by Kahlo's feelings of isolation and loneliness. “I paint self-portraits because I am so often alone,” the artist famously said, “because I am the person I know best.”

A Chilling Beheading

Théodore Géricault, “The Severed Heads,” c. 1810 (Photo: Osama Shukir Muhammad Amin FRCP (Glasg) via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)

As one of the pioneers of Romanticism, French artist Théodore Géricault was known for utilizing grand scale and dramatic narratives in his paintings. While The Raft of the Medusa is his most beloved work, he created a number of other works during his short life. Paintings like The Severed Heads reveal Géricault's keen interest in the macabre. Here, he portrays a pair of severed heads nestled in bloodstained cloth.

This painting was part of a series of still lifes Géricault made that focused on the human body. He depicted these eerie subjects to study anatomy and the way bodies decay.

Visited by the Skeleton Specter

Utagawa Kuniyoshi, “Takiyasha the Witch and the Skeleton Specter” c. 1844 (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Edo period artist Utagawa Kuniyoshi created the woodblock print Takiyasha the Witch and the Skeleton Specter, in which a giant skeleton looms over two samurais as a woman reads a scroll in the wings. The unsettling image is based on a story from the Heian period in Japan that took place in 939 CE.

At that time, samurai warlord Taira no Masakado traveled from his home in Kantō and led an army to rally against the central government in Kyoto. He eventually tried to set up an “Eastern Court” in Shimōsa Province but was defeated and decapitated. His daughter, Princess Takiyasha, continued to live in the family’s shōen, turning to witchcraft and studying dark magic.

Kuniyoshi's piece shows her reading a spell to bring forth a Gashadokuro, a spirit that takes the form of a giant skeleton. It looks over Ōya Taro Mitsukuni and another samurai who were both sent to get the princess. Their plans were foiled by the haunting spirit.

A Creepy-Crawly Creature

Odilon Redon, “The Smiling Spider,” 1887 (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

In 1887, French Symbolist artist Odilon Redon created The Smiling Spider, a lithograph of an unusual arachnid with ten legs. Still, even with this extra set of limbs, the most peculiar thing about this spider is its unsettling grin, which the artist has delineated with a row of tiny teeth.

The Smiling Spider is one of many noirs, or “blacks” created by Redon between 1870 and 1890. Rendered in charcoal and as lithographs, these pieces illustrate the artist's interest in the obscure and, most importantly, are characterized by darkness—both in color and subject matter.

“Black is the most essential color,” Redon said. “It conveys the very vitality of a being, his energy, his mind, something of his soul, the reflection of his sensitivity. One must respect black. Nothing prostitutes it. It does not please the eye and it awakens no sensuality. It is the agent of the mind far more than the most beautiful color of the palette or prism.”

A “Scream Passing Through Nature”

Edvard Munch, “The Scream,” 1891 (Photo: National Gallery of Norway via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Expressionist artist Edvard Munch is renowned for his dark and dreary paintings and prints. From 1893 until 1910, he produced his most famous masterpiece, The Scream, as a series of 4 works.

During this 17-year period, Munch recreated The Scream in crayon, tempera paint, and oil pastel. While the mediums vary from piece to piece, each one features the same subject matter: a mysterious figure standing on a bridge and holding his face as he screams.

While this scene appears dream-like, it was actually inspired by a real-life location and a particularly frightening phenomenon. “One evening I was walking along a path, the city was on one side and the fjord below,” Munch wrote in his diary. “I felt tired and ill. I stopped and looked out over the fjord—the sun was setting, and the clouds turning blood red. I sensed a scream passing through nature; it seemed to me that I heard the scream. I painted this picture, painted the clouds as actual blood. The color shrieked. This became The Scream.”

A Bad Dream

Henry Fuseli, “The Nightmare,” 1781 (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Henry Fuseli was a leading figure of Romanticism, a 19th-century art movement defined by dreamy iconography. In his most famous (and aptly named) painting, The Nightmare, Fuseli delves into the scary side of the subconscious.

This spine-tingling work of art shows a sleeping woman with an incubus—a male demon that preys upon women as they sleep—perched on her body. A ghostly horse emerges from behind a red velvet curtain, forming the only perceivable part of the blackened background.

Most art historians believe that The Nightmare was inspired by German folktales. According to legend, men who slept alone were visited by horse specters, while lone women were possessed by demons or the devil. By incorporating both of these frightening figures in the composition, Fuseli visually represents the manifestation of a living nightmare.

Death is Victorious 

Pieter Bruegel the Elder, “The Triumph of Death” 1562 (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

For many, few things are scarier than death itself. In Pieter Bruegel the Elder's 1562 painting The Triumph of Death, an army of skeletons consumes the barren landscape that's on fire and absolutely wrecked. The army destroys the living and they have no chance of achieving salvation. Highly detailed and gruesome, the piece begs a long look to truly take in the unsettling sights of pure chaos.

This piece was a “moral work” by Bruegel and influenced by the idea of the Dance of Death. Also called the Danse Macabre, it's based on a medieval artistic allegory that death unites us all, no matter our station in life.

A Monstrous Beauty

Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, “Medusa,” 1597 (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Caravaggio drew on the ancient Greek myth of Medusa for this frightening painting. It depicts the severed head of Medusa, a mythical monster who's described as a female woman with bronze hands and countless venomous snakes for hair. Legend has it that anyone who even so much as glanced at her would be turned to stone. Medusa was cursed by the Greek goddess Athena, who turned her into the venomous monster she became. Perseus, son of Greek god Zeus and princess Danae, decapitated Medusa using a shield given by Athena.

Caravaggio made two versions of his Medusa painting—one in 1596 and the other in 1597. In this work, Caravaggio used a mirror and painted his own face in the place of Medusa. He did so to indicate his immunity to her terrified expression. Though the head is decapitated, it still appears conscious, capturing Medusa's final horrific moments. Blood pours out from her severed neck, while her mouth hangs wide open, baring teeth.

Scars of Conflict

 

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While he is best known for his daring surrealist vision, Salvador Dalí was no stranger to the issues of the world around him.  Affected by the imagery of the Spanish Civil War and the beginning of World War II, Dalí painted The Face of War. This was during the brief time he lived in the United States, having escaped from Europe when he and his wife Gaia realized France was no longer a safe place following the outbreak of the conflict.

Also drawing from the myth of Medusa, the painting depicts a dry, corpse-like face surrounded by small snakes. Hovering over a barren landscape, the face wears an expression of fear and misery, which is replicated by the smaller faces that fill its mouth and eye sockets. In turn, those faces also have even tinier faces inside them, creating a seemingly infinite pattern.

A Surreal Scene

Hieronymus Bosch, “The Garden of Earthly Delights,” c. 1500–1505 (Photo: Prado Museum via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Though he lived 500 years ago, Hieronymus Bosch remains the master of the macabre. The Early Netherlandish Renaissance artist is known for his surreal paintings of otherworldly settings—like the fantastic and frightening Garden of Earthly Delights.

While little is known about the origins of this topsy-turvy triptych, it remains Bosch's most resonant work of art. Featuring hybrid animals, make-believe machines, and everything in between, the chaotic painting strikes a perfect balance between eye-catching peculiarity and nightmare-inducing horrors—especially when observed in detail.

Hieronymus Bosch, “The Garden of Earthly Delights,” c. 1500–1505 (Detail)

A whimsical interpretation of the Bible's Story of Creation, the Garden of Earthly Delights proves that any subject can be scary if given a surreal twist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who painted The Scream?

The Scream was painted by Norwegian artist Edvard Munch in 1891.

Who is The Nightmare artist?

The Nightmare was painted by Swiss painter Henri Fuseli in 1781.

What is scary art called?

Scary art goes by different names including Dark Art, Macabre Art, and Morbid Art. Regardless of its name, each one shares elements of horror.

This article has been edited and updated.

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Finally, the haunted season is upon us. To celebrate all things spooky, we've concocted a collection of cute Halloween gifts that will have you howling with delight.

This eclectic selection of enchanting presents has something for everybody. If a spine-tingling style is your bag, try accessorizing with the mysterious moon phase necklace. Love slaving over a hot cauldron? Keep your kitchen festive with a spirited rolling pin and black cat apron. And, with a ghoulish bath bomb and candy corn earrings, you can even enjoy Halloween-y downtime all season long.

Best of all, it doesn't take a magic potion to come up with these spooky Halloween gifts. There are plenty to choose from; whether you are looking for the perfect seasonal hostess gift for a Halloween party or want to pick some spooky decor and accessories for yourself, look no further.

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Throughout art history, the concept of love has attracted artists from all walks of life. Depicted in different kinds of styles and rendered in a myriad of mediums, the amorous concept continues to captivate viewers time and time again.

While there are countless alluring examples of love in art, we've compiled a collection of eight pieces that stand out from the rest. Whether highlighting a marble kiss, a glistening gold embrace, or even big block letters, these heartfelt masterpieces prove that art and love are a perfect match.

Here are eight of the most renowned romantic paintings and sculptures and forms of love art throughout art history.

Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss by Antonio Canova

Antonio Canova, “Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss,” 1793 (Photo: Stock Photos from peacefoo/Shutterstock)

Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss is one of Neoclassical art‘s most beloved sculptures. Inspired by the love story of Cupid, the Roman god of love (adapted from the Greek Eros), and Psyche, a human-turned-goddess, this marble masterpiece was carved by Italian sculptor Antonio Canova in 1793.

The piece depicts the touching moment Psyche—who was put into a deep, death-like sleep after opening a forbidden box— is awakened by a kiss from Cupid, her husband. Canova skillfully captures the heightened and humanist emotion of the scene by paying special attention to the lifelike expressions and intimate positioning of the figures.

“Cupid lifts his beloved Psyche in a tender embrace, his face close to hers,” the Louvre, where the piece is currently housed, explains. “Psyche lets herself sink slowly backwards, languorously taking her lover’s head between her hands.”

The Kiss by Francesco Hayez

Francesco Hayez, “The Kiss,” 1859 (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Francesco Hayez's The Kiss evokes a powerful sense of romance and is one of the most famous kisses in Western art. It depicts a man and woman, both dressed in Medieval clothing, locked in an intense embrace. The couple is tucked away in a softly lit staircase, sharing what appears to be a secret kiss before the silhouette in the corner comes their way.

The original version of this painting was commissioned by Count Alfonso Maria Visconti and was rendered in oil in 1859. However, Hayez produced other versions of this painting in oil and watercolor, one of which was exhibited at the World Fair in Paris in 1867.

Hayez's The Kiss represents many of the core values of Italian Romanticism, including an emphasis on emotion and nostalgia for the past. Some interpret the man as a soldier who is kissing his lover before leaving for war, underscoring patriotism, which was an important ideal during the Risorgimento.

Dance in the Country by Pierre-Auguste Renoir

Pierre-Auguste Renoir, “Dance in the Country,” 1883 (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

French artist Pierre-Auguste Renoir was not only a leading figure in 19th-century art, but he also had a central role in the Impressionist movement. Dance in the Country is one of three paintings Renoir executed that show a couple dancing in different environments. This piece depicts Renoir's friend Paul Lhôte and a woman named Aline Charigot, twirling underneath a chestnut tree.

The woman's face is jubilant as she gazes directly at the viewer, while the man keeps his head close to her ear. Overall, the painting contains many traits characteristic of Renoir's distinctly soft style, including delicate brushstrokes and a warm color palette. There is an undeniable sense of joy in the painting which makes it especially romantic.

In Bed, The Kiss by Henri Toulouse-Lautrec

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, “In Bed, The Kiss,” c. 1892-1893 (Photo: Wikimedia Commons Public domain)

Post-Impressionist painter and graphic designer Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec is known for his posters, prints, and paintings of turn-of-the-century Paris. While most of these works capture the City of Love's spectacular nightlife, some offer a glimpse into more intimate situations, like In Bed, The Kiss.

Created in 1892, this oil painting shows two women passionately kissing in bed. The pair are most likely Parisian prostitutes, one of Toulouse-Lautrec's favorite and most visited artistic subjects. Like his other works set in brothels, In Bed, The Kiss offers an intimate look at the lives of these women. What sets this piece apart, however, is the inherent emotion of the scene, which the artist emphasizes with his characteristically energetic brushwork and an expressive color palette.

Toulouse-Lautrec also explored brothel life in his Elles portfolio, a collection of lithographs. Though celebrated today, these pieces were not well-received during the artist's lifetime, as the public was not interested in “mundane intimacy.” The Museum of Modern Art explains: “Elles proved to be a commercial failure for its publisher—Gustave Pellet, who specialized in erotica—because it delivered not an exotic fantasy, but rather an intimate portrayal of women Lautrec knew firsthand and the milieu in which they lived and worked.”

The Kiss by Auguste Rodin

Auguste Rodin, “The Kiss,” 1901 (Photo: Wikimedia Commons Public domain)

French sculptor Auguste Rodin completed The Kiss, a beautiful marble sculpture, between 1888 and 1898. With its “fluid, smooth modeling, [a] very dynamic composition and [a] charming theme” (The Rodin Museum), this work is one of modern art‘s most acclaimed sculptures. 

It was intended to adorn the Gates of Hell, a double-door sculpture inspired by Dante’s Inferno. Because of this source, Rodin opted to include a relief showing Francesca da Rimini—a real-life 13th-century noblewoman whose tale was featured in Dante's Divine Comedy—in the throes of an affair with her brother-in-law.

After completing the sensual piece, however, Rodin deemed it “a large sculpted knick-knack following the usual formula.” He decided to exclude it from the doors' final design and instead adapted it—a decision that has given us the free-standing sculpture we know and love today.

The Kiss by Gustave Klimt

Gustav Klimt, “The Kiss,” 1907-1908 (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Austrian artist Gustav Klimt painted The Kiss at the height of his Golden Phase. During this luminous period, Klimt experimented with his work, crafting avant-garde paintings with pronounced planes, intricate patterns, and delicate detailing made of gold leaf. The Kiss embodies this ethereal approach and highlights another one of Klimt's interests: portraying intimate subject matter.

The Kiss shows a loving couple mid-embrace. As they kneel in an otherworldly garden, the man leans in to kiss his partner, delicately cradling her face and running his hand through her flower-embellished hair. With her eyes peacefully closed, the woman wraps her arms around him, accepting and anticipating her lover's kiss.

Klimt never disclosed the identities of the figures. However, today, the couple is widely believed to have been inspired by the artist and his companion (and perhaps lover) Emilie Flöge, a Viennese fashion designer. Much like the painting itself, their relationship is shrouded in a glittering mystery.

The embrace (Lovers II) by Egon Schiele

Egon Schiele, “The embrace (Lovers II),” 1917 (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Austrian artist Egon Schiele was a major figurative painter of the 20th century. Within his short career, he created over 3,000 works on paper and around 300 paintings on canvas. Best known for his contorted portraits, Schiele rejected society’s conventional view of beauty and preferred to capture the true—and often ugly and explicit—emotions of his subjects.

His painting The embrace (Lovers II) is an excellent example of his raw depictions of people, featuring a naked couple who are locked together in an intense embrace. Both the man and the woman have their arms wrapped around each other as their dark hair intertwines. They are nestled on top of a wrinkled white sheet, while the rest of the background is left with a rough yellow and black texture.

Love by Robert Indiana

Robert Indiana, “Love” (Photo: Stock Photos from Christian Mueller/Shutterstock)

Since 1970, Robert Indiana's large-scale Love sculptures have popped up in cities around the world. While these Pop Art pieces have taken on a romantic meaning, their original intention was less Valentine's Day-related and more in the Christmas spirit.

In fact, Indiana came up with the familiar design—characterized by a stacked set of seraph letters spelling out the word, “LOVE”—for the Museum of Modern Art's holiday card. Therefore, it is not surprising that the motif's origins are actually rooted in Indiana's religious upbringing. “I, as a child, was raised as a Christian Scientist,” Indiana explained in a letter to an art collector, “and the world LOVE was indelibly imprinted in the mind, for there is that slightly different phrase, ‘God is Love,' on every front wall of every one of Mary Baker Eddy’s houses throughout the world.”

Over the years, Indiana's sculptures have taken on a lovey-dovey life of their own. While the late artist had a love-hate relationship with the wildly popular series (he famously said, “It was a marvelous idea, but it was also a terrible mistake”), they will undoubtedly continue to inspire romantics for years to come.

This article has been edited and updated.

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As temperatures start to drop and daylight slowly dwindles, you're probably ready to get into the autumnal spirit. Much like cozy movie marathons and pumpkin-flavored everything, fall accessories are a festive way to warmly welcome the season.

Each of these unique accouterments will keep you looking seasonably stylish—even when you're all bundled up. A delicate fall leaf necklace or a real-flower ring can add a touch of elegance to any ensemble, while a fun fox purse lets you channel your favorite seasonal animal. And, adding a bit of pumpkin spice to your outfit is easy as pie when clad in comical socks and a charming pin. Many of these items are handmade by makers on Etsy, so you're supporting a small business, too.

Once you have outfitted yourself, add some fall style to your home with a few decor accessories. Warm-scented candles and special mugs will make this time of year feel extra special. You'll be able to enjoy them until the Thanksgiving holiday.

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Want to jump into more autumnal fun? Check out our selection of fall gifts on Amazon.

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The facade of Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, a masterpiece of the Iranian architecture, built between 1602 – 1619 during the Safavid dynasty (Photo: Stock Photos from Athikhom Saengchai/Shutterstock)

Islamic architecture is one of the world's most celebrated building traditions. Known for its radiant colors, rich patterns, and symmetrical silhouettes, this distinctive approach has been popular in the Muslim world since the 7th century.

While Islamic architecture comprises several styles across different countries and continents, there are certain characteristics that remain universally prevalent throughout. Recognizing these underlying elements—as well as understanding their geographical prevalence—is key to grasping the visually sensational and historically significant style.

What is Islamic architecture?

This architectural tradition is predominantly found in two types of places: Muslim-majority countries and lands conquered by Muslims during the Middle Ages. In addition to Arab states—like Algeria, Egypt, and Iraq—Islamic architecture is also prevalent in European regions with Moorish roots, including parts of Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Malta.

Though often associated with the Islamic mosque—Muslims' place of worship—this approach to architecture is also apparent in other edifices, from palaces and public buildings to tombs and forts. Whether religious or secular, however, the splendid style is defined by several common characteristics.

Photo: Lkadi Adil via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Distinctive Elements

Minarets

A minaret is a spire or tower-like structure featuring small windows and an enclosed staircase. It is one of the oldest elements of Islamic architecture and is found next to most mosques. The primary function of the minaret is to allow the muezzin to call worshippers to prayer from an elevated point. This occurs five times a day: at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, and night.

Mosque at sunset. (Photo: Stock Photos from photo_desig/Shutterstock)

Since the 11th century, some mosques have been outfitted with more than one minaret, traditionally indicating that it had been founded by a sultan.

Court of the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo: Stock Photos from Pavel Dobrovsky/Shutterstock)

Domes

Like many pioneering architectural movements—including Byzantine and Italian Renaissance building traditions—Islamic architects also incorporate domes into their designs.

The Dome of the Rock, a 7th-century shrine in Jerusalem, is the first Islamic building to feature this architectural element. Inspired by Byzantine plans, the octagonal edifice is topped with a wooden dome, which was plated in gold during the 16th century. Unlike most Islamic domes—which rest on pendentives—the dome sits on a drum supported by 16 piers and columns.

Dome of the Rock in the Temple Mount, Jerusalem, Israel. (Photo: Stock Photos from Bibiana Castagna/Shutterstock)

Pendentives are tapered structures that allow a circular base for a round or elliptical dome to be placed on a square or rectangular room. In Islamic architecture, pendentives are often decorated with tiles or muqarnas, a type of sculptural decoration.

Photo: Bjørn Christian Tørrissen via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Muqarnas Vaulting

Due to their sculptural composition and patterned aesthetic, Muqarnas are often compared to stalactites or honeycombs. In addition to domes and pendentives, this unique ornamentation also adorns vaults, culminating in monochromatic, sculptural ceilings that contrast the surrounding tiles.

Photo: Mostafameraji via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Mihrab

Mihrabs are architectural elements found in mosques. They can be identified as niches in the walls which mark the direction of the Qibla, denoting the direction of prayer. Many mihrabs feature Islamic decoration in the form of colorful tiles and mosaics.

Mihrab of 13th century Eşrefoğlu Mosque in Beyşehir, Turkey (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA)

Arches

Another fixture of Islamic architecture is the arch. Evident in both entrances and interiors, Islamic arches are categorized into four main styles: pointed, ogee, horseshoe, and multifoil. The pointed arch features a rounded design with a tapered apex. This type of arch would eventually become an important element of Gothic architecture.

Photo: LeCaire via Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

The ogee arch is similar to the pointed arch. However, its point is composed of two s-shaped lines, culminating in a more sinuous silhouette.

Photo: BazaNews via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

The horseshoe arch (also known as a keyhole arch) is associated with Moorish architecture. As its crown can be either rounded or pointed, this type of structure is defined by the dramatic widening and narrowing of its sides.

Photo: Citizen59 via Wikimedia Commons, GNU Free Documentation License

Like the horseshoe arch, the multifoil arch is characteristic of Moorish architecture. This arch features multiple foils, or “leaves,” resulting in a scalloped shape.

Photo: Escarlati via Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

Decorative Details

A final element of Islamic architecture is attention to ornamental detail. Often reserved for interiors, this lavish approach to decoration includes mosaic tiling, patterned brickwork and kaleidoscopic stones, exquisite calligraphic adornments, and other ornate components.

Interior of the Blue Mosque (Photo: Stock Photos from dade72/Shutterstock)

Along with monumental domes, mesmerizing muqarnas vaulting, and distinctive arches, these eye-catching embellishments exhibit the transcendent nature of the Islamic building practice.

This article has been edited and updated.

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Sandro Botticelli, “Primavera,” c. 1477–1482 (Photo: Google Arts & Culture via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain) This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, My Modern Met may earn an affiliate commission. Please read our disclosure for more info.

Florentine artist Sandro Botticelli is credited for his contributions to the Italian Renaissance. Widely considered one of the most prolific painters of the 15th century, he is known for his large-scale paintings of mythological subject matter, including Primavera, an allegorical celebration of spring.

This piece is one of the most important Early Renaissance works. Housed by Florence's famed Uffizi Gallery, it continues to attract viewers with its classical symbolism, elaborate composition, and delicate attention to detail.

In order to grasp its enduring significance, it's important to first understand the context in which it was commissioned and created.

Who Was Sandro Botticelli?

Self-portrait of Sandro Botticelli from his painting “Adoration of the Magi,” c. 1476 (Photo: Uffizi via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Sandro Botticelli (c. 1445–1510) was a prominent Italian painter of the Quattrocento or Early Renaissance. Roughly seven years older than Leonardo da Vinci, he was one of the first artists of this era to depict humanist subject matter, such as scenes from classical mythology. Additionally, his many influential patrons, including members of the all-powerful Medici family, helped him produce an impressive oeuvre, including secular portraits and a range of religious paintings.

Commissioning Primavera

Botticelli painted Primavera around 1480. While its exact origins are debated, it is believed to have been commissioned by Lorenzo di Pierfrancesco de' Medici—a cousin of Florence's ruling family—as a gift for his new bride. During this time, art was typically commissioned for Catholic churches and civic buildings. However, Primavera was created for Di Pierfrancesco's private estate, the Villa di Castello, which was located just outside of Florence, Italy.

Giusto Utens, “Lunette of Villa di Castello as it appeared in 1599” (Photo via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Along with The Birth of Venus (another larger-than-life painting), Botticelli painted Primavera after returning to Florence from Rome, where he was hired to create frescoes in the Sistine Chapel. During this time, he began to turn his attention away from Roman Catholic iconography and toward scenes from Greek and Roman mythology.

This humanist interest in ancient allegories culminated in The Birth of Venus and Primavera—two tempera paintings starring Venus and other significant mythological figures.

Analyzing Botticelli's Primavera

Venus, the goddess of love, is featured in the center of Primavera. She stands underneath an arch amidst an orange grove, clad in typical 15th-century Florence attire. Above her is Cupid, her son, who aims his bow and arrow toward the Three Graces. In mythology, this trio of sisters often represents pleasure, chastity, and beauty, though the specific identities of Botticelli's figures are not clear.

Detail of Venus and Cupid

Detail of the Three Graces

To the left of the Three Graces, Mercury—the Roman god of May—uses his caduceus, or staff, to nudge away a cluster of small, grey clouds. Known as the messenger of the gods, he is shown wearing his signature helmet and winged sandals.

Detail of Mercury

On the right-hand side of the composition, Zephyr (or Zephyrus), the Greek god of the west wind, grabs Chloris, a nymph associated with flowers. In mythology, she transforms into Flora, the goddess of spring, who is depicted to the left of the pair.

Detail of Flora, Zephyr, and Chloris

Fittingly, this springtime scene is set in a mythical forest. Botticelli incorporated roughly 500 identifiable plant species in the scene, including nearly 200 types of flowers.

Detail of the flowers

Primavera and The Birth of Venus

Sandro Botticelli, “The Birth of Venus,” c. 1486 (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Though not intended as a diptych, Primavera and The Birth of Venus are typically viewed as a pair. Botticelli painted The Birth of Venus in 1486, a few years after Primavera‘s believed conception. In both cases, he employed tempera paint, a traditional medium that uses egg yolk as a binding medium. The paintings are also rendered in roughly the same scale: Primavera measures 6′ 8″ x 10′ 4″, while The Birth of Venus is 5′ 8″ x 9′ 2″.

The biggest similarity between the two pieces, however, is their subject matter. Both pieces feature Venus as the central subject. In Primavera, this figure is rendered in a relatively Gothic style; her posture is static, and she is clothed. In The Birth of Venus, however, she has adopted a move humanist position. She is also nude—an artistic characteristic Botticelli borrowed from classical painting and sculpture.

Botticelli also portrayed Zephyr and Chloris in both pieces. In Primavera, flowers spill from Chloris' mouth; in The Birth of Venus, blossoms and blooms float around the flying pair.

Flora, the goddess of spring, is depicted in both paintings as well. She is identifiable by her gown, which features a floral print and a wreath-like collar. In The Birth of Venus, she is shown covering the newly-born goddess in a red cloak similar to the one draped around her arm in Primavera.

Legacy

Visitors in the Botticelli Room of the Uffizi Gallery (Photo: Stock Photos from vvoe/Shutterstock)

Today, Primavera is viewed as an important work of Early Renaissance art. It remains a highlight of the Uffizi Gallery, where it has enchanted the public since it made its museum debut in 1919. Visitors to the esteemed institution can admire both Primavera and The Birth of Venus at once, as both have found a home in its famous Botticelli Room.

Books About Sandro Botticelli

This article has been edited and updated.

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READ: The Significance of Botticelli’s Renaissance Masterpiece ‘Primavera’