Artist Toyin Odutola takes a new stance on portraiture, bringing a novel and ingenious approach to the classic art technique. Through this video, learn how culture and identity can be the driving inspiration for intimate artistic creation, and how a new emerging medium - the animated GIF - can be used to reflect these classic, high-cultured ideas. See how the history of the GIF and early cinema animation reflects a significant evolution in early 20th Century portraiture. [7:56]

As part of the Smithsonian Art Museum's database of artists, this site provides an extensive biographical overview on Josef Albers in addition to an all-inclusive listing of his works displayed at the museum.

The WebMuseum profiles the work of the American sculptor Joseph Cornell (1903-1972). Features include photographs of his "assemblage boxes."

Artcyclopedia provides direct links to Gris's works in museums around the world. Online exhibitions and reviews.

How do you know when a chemical reaction has occurred? This experiment will help you learn the indicators of a chemical reaction.

A Smithsonian website plus lesson plans on the art of landscape painting. Includes details on landscape painting techniques to create the illusion of depth and space as well as information on four landscape artists.

Two thousand years before today's "global economy," an exchange network linked the continent of Asia via the Silk Route. Between the first and eighth centuries of the common era, the empires and states of Asia often came into conflict as they competed for territory and other resources or sought to dominate their neighbors in religious and political arenas. Yet the sea and overland routes between China and the eastern Mediterranean-the Silk Route, or Silk Road-also fostered peaceful interaction, both cultural and commercial. Merchants, ambassadors, and pilgrims transported crafted goods and raw materials acquired from distant realms: spices, precious metals, musical instruments, rare medicinal herbs, objects used in worship and ritual. Silk, the most famous of these long-distance luxuries, reached southwest Asia by the first century B.C.E. from production centers in China.

From the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, here is a glimpse into the artistic world of Alfred Stieglitz, the New York City art dealer and pioneering photographer.

From the Metropolitan Museum of Art, these are examples of "American Rococo" decorative furniture from the permanent collection. This overly ornate style originated in France and flourished in America in the 1750's.

Consider the English identity of American colonists by examining the sorts of imported goods and decorative arts Americans chose to purchase and display.

This educational resource from the Metropolitan Museum of Art contains resources about Renaissance Europe including numerous pieces of art from that period with images and lesson plans.

Several examples of pots for coffee, tea, and chocolate from the colonial period. Learn how Americans adopted the practice of drinking coffee and tea, and how this practice affected society, daily life, and the decorative art created by American silversmiths. Click on thumbnails to see detailed photos of pots, along with descriptions, dates, and other related material and links.

Awesome examples of Egyptian art are given on these web pages from The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Enjoy looking at pictures of actual pieces of art that are currently in the museum. Along with the art are brief historical biographies about each piece.

A view of Bingham's "Fur Traders Descending the Missouri". Includes a description and ownership information as well.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art provides this informative page on Georgia O'Keefe (1887-1986) and her art. With information and pictures this in a nice resource for study.

An extensive site that includes an interactive timeline of Greek art. Clicking on hyperlinks take you to a detailed discussion of the individual works of art. Included are photographs of Greek architecture. A great resource for the study of Greek art.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art provides this informative page on the modern master Henri Matisse (1869-1954). With information and pictures this in a nice resource for study.

This site features an in-depth look at the life, times, and works of American impressionist painter Mary Cassatt.

Find resources highlighting medieval art in the Museum's collection from Western Europe and Byzantium. This also provides strategies for teaching art of the Middle Ages.

A description of Neoclassicism in Europe during the latter half of the 18th century. Explore the artwork of 13 artists and descriptive paragraphs.