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THE CHRONICLE
Step into the library…
For this blog, we’ve captured the feeling of stepping into a beautiful, tranquil library, looking out onto the rolling English countryside as you browse through our posts.
We’ve created a labyrinthine collection for everyone, whether you are an interested adult learner, dreaming of donning a velvet smoking jacket and immersing yourself in a fireside expedition through canonical scholarship or a budding researcher, eager to equip yourself for exciting fieldwork. For university and A level students, your studies should not be just a matter of cramming knowledge into your head: here, you can relax, immerse yourself in your specialism and enjoy it!
Browse blog categories below, or scroll down to see our latest posts.
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Realists and Romantics: an Introduction to the Art of Post-Revolutionary France
Explore the dialogue between Neoclassical Realists and Romantics in Post-Revolutionary France and discover their surprising commonalities! Jacques-Louis David’s Oath of the Horatii (1784) As we saw in our post on Rococo art, the years 1774-1848 are sometimes called the “Age of Revolution” because of the way these years shaped European and world history, from the collapse of the Ancien Regime, the French Enlightenment and Revolution (1789), the American Revolution, the Britis
5 days ago
Rococo to Revolution: An Introduction to European Art in the Eighteenth Century
Experience the opulence and fantasy of Rococo art against the backdrop of the Enlightenment and brewing revolution! François Boucher’s The Marquise de Pompadour (1756) Rococo began in the early 1700s in the decorative arts such as furniture, fabrics, tapestries, glassware and silverware. It was popular in the 1730s until the 1770s. You can recognise it through its light colours like blues, and greens and pinks, curved lines, and inspiration from the natural world. There were
May 18
Dynamism and Drama: An Introduction to Art in The Baroque Period
In this post, meet some of the most important artist of the Baroque. Find out how artists used dynamism and abundant forms to create intensity and drama—and how other artists had very different ideas! Caravaggio’s The Inspiration of Saint Matthew (1602) The term “Baroque” is used to describe the art of the 17th and part of the 18th century, (1600–1730) but it can also be used to identify a certain type of art that uses dynamic and abundant forms and dramatic and intense feeli
May 11
Domesticity, Darkness and Light: An Introduction to the Art of The Dutch Golden Age
Discover the art of the Dutch Golden Age and meet superstars like Hals, Rembrandt and Vermeer! Part six in our Introduction to Art series. Johannes Vermeer Girl with a Pearl Earring (1665) You’ll recognise paintings of the Dutch Golden age from the move away from religious subjects to focus on everyday life, use of dramatic light and shadow and use of realism, with a subjects like civic pride, wealth, and trade. The Dutch Golden Age is roughly dated from 1588, when the Du
May 4
Devotion and Detail: Early Netherlandish Art and The Northern Renaissance
In our last three posts, we focused on the Italian Renaissance. In the same period, Northern Europe was experiencing a Renaissance of its own. Find out how these artists combined religious devotion, symbolism and attention to detail, incorporated the viewer into their work and invented the genre of landscape painting! Part five in our Introduction to Art series. Jan van Eyck’s The Arnolfini Portrait (1434) People use the term, “the Northern Renaissance” to refer to the Renais
Apr 27
Distortion and Drama: An Introduction to Late Renaissance Art
In our last post, we saw that the art of the High Renaissance (1490-1527) is known for the idealisation of the human figure and compositional geometry. In the late Renaissance, artists sought to go beyond these ideals, experimenting with contorted compositions, elongated figures and drama. Part four in our Introduction to Art series. Parmigianino’s Madonna with the Long Neck (1534–40) Europe in the mid-sixteenth century was changing. Protestantism was challenging the Cathol
Apr 20
Beautiful Bodies and Divine Geometry: An Introduction to High Renaissance Art and Architecture
In our last post, we saw that Renaissance art aimed at more human-orientated depictions of reality and human emotions using techniques to create volume and spatial depth, such as linear perspective, foreshortening, and chiaroscuro. In the High Renaissance, these trends continued, but there was an extra emphasis on compositional geometry and the perfection of the human form. Find out more in this post and meet some of the biggest stars of the High Renaissance—Leonardo, Michel
Apr 13
Reviving Antiquity: An Introduction to Early Renaissance Art and Architecture
Explore the brilliant new techniques of early Renaissance painting, the rise of Florence as a cultural centre and the powerful Medici family in this introduction to the early Renaissance! Part two in our Introduction to Art series. Fra Angelico’s Annunciation (c. 1443) In our last post, we introduced the art and architecture of medieval Europe. We saw that medieval art of the Byzantine style favoured devotional, Christian subjects, lavish use of gold and flattened, elongated
Apr 6
Illumination in the Dark Age: An Introduction to Medieval Art and Architecture
From the Byzantine churches of Constantinople and Greece to the thirteenth century Gothic Cathedrals, the medieval period has a lot to offer! Delve into the frescoes and mosaics, illuminated manuscripts, tapestries and golden chalices of the dark ages in this quick introduction to Europe’s medieval art and architecture. Part one in our Introduction to Art series. Folio from the eighth century Lindisfarne Gospels Introducing the Medieval Period The Medieval Period is usual
Mar 30
The Black Madonna, Our Lady of Czestochowa
The Black Madonna of Częstochowa, an icon of the Virgin Mary and child, is a national symbol of Poland and motherhood. It is also a miracle-working icon and protector of the Polish people. Dr. Orton investigates the folklore and history of Poland’s most important painting. Copy of the Black Madonna at Jasna Gora I recently had the good fortune to visit the famous Jasna Góra monastery of Częstochowa, Poland’s spiritual capital and home to one of the world’s most important
Oct 6, 2025
Must Art be Beautiful?
Dr. Orton introduces one of the biggest questions in the philosophy and history of art. Take a look at some of the world’s most...
Jul 14, 2025
Joris Hoefnagel’s Monumental Illuminations: Manuscript and Magic in the Court of Rudolf II
Fantastical miniature creatures, visual illusion and virtuoso calligraphy combine in the sixteenth century Mira Calligraphiae Monumenta!...
Feb 24, 2025
Secrets of Siena
Dr. Orton studied in the ancient Italian city of Siena as a visiting researcher during her doctoral degree. Here, she explores its...
Aug 16, 2024
Where Beauty Meets Truth: How Maria Sibylla Merian Took on the world
Orton Academy and Research was born of a love of both knowledge and beauty. Dr. Orton investigates the Enlightenment entomologist who...
Aug 29, 2022
Meetings with Monsieur Bertin
Dr. Orton describes her relationship with Ingres’ most compelling portrait. While I was living in Bologna as a PhD student, it was...
Apr 13, 2022
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