Art
is regarded as one of the most beautiful and creative mediums for self-expression. From ancient times to modern-day, art has captivated the minds and hearts of people worldwide. However, do you know that there are several strange, uncommon facts about art that you may not have heard of? Here are some interesting, little-known art facts:
1. Blue in the sky Have you ever wondered why painters depict the sky blue, when it is not entirely blue? This custom started in the 15th century in Europe when the shortage of blue paint forced painters to use it only for painting skies.
2. Mona Lisa's eyebrows Have you ever noticed that Mona Lisa has no eyebrows in her portrait? Although her eyebrows are not clearly visible, she did have them, but Leonardo da Vinci chose to leave them out. It is because during that time, it was fashionable to shave eyebrows and hairlines back slightly for high foreheads.
3. The hidden lady One of the most extended optical illusions in art is the hidden image of a lady in Jan van Eyck's painting, "The Arnolfini Portrait." In the mirror, the reflection of a lady can be seen standing behind her husband, Arnolfini.
4. The disappearing painting In 2017, Banksy's artwork titled "Girl with Balloon" sold for over £1m at an auction in London. However, the moment it was bought, it self-destructed via an automatic shredder built within the frame. Banksy later revealed that he had planned the stunt for months.
5. The unfinished pyramid On the back of the United States one-dollar bill, the image of an unfinished pyramid is printed with an "eye" at its top. This symbolizes the work that remains to be done in the United States (the unfinished pyramid) and the all-seeing eye of God (the "eye").
6. The potato eater "The Potato Eaters" is one of the most well-known paintings by Vincent Van Gogh. The painting is often regarded as a portrayal of this turn-of-the-century working-class, and thus Van Gogh decided to use real-life potato eaters as models for his painting, rather than professionals.
7. The screaming girl Edward Munch's painting, "The Scream," is considered one of the most iconic and recognizable paintings in the world. However, not many people know that the subject of the painting is screaming, based on an event that occurred when Munch was walking with his friends and saw the sky turn red after a volcano eruption in Indonesia.
8. The girl with many pearls Jan Vermeer's "Girl with a Pearl Earring" is often compared to Leonardo da Vinci's "Mona Lisa." However, intriguingly, scientists have discovered that the girl's pearl earring was not a pearl at all. Instead, it was made from an oxidized piece of metal.
9. The oldest painting The oldest painting to date is over 40,000 years old and was discovered in a cave in Indonesia. The painting depicts a pig with a human hand. In conclusion, art is not just about what you see. It's about exploring the ambiguity, creativity, and abstractness of the world around us. The above art facts are just a few of the countless mysteries and wonders in the world of art. It is only through curiosity and discovery that we can continue to be amazed and inspired by the power of art.