art history | Daydream Tourist

Aug 27

A Fun Evening at the Cincinnati Art Museum

When the first thing you see inside a museum is a Chihuly hanging over a classical male statue, you know that you’re in for something good!

I wandered into the the Cincinnati Art Museum with no expectations. I’d forgotten to check their collection ahead of time and I didn’t know what the special exhibits were. I ended up having what was probably one of the funnest museum experiences I have ever had! The programing, creative presentation of their art and friendly staff were so impressive that I left at the end day totally floored and a new fan of the Cincinnati Museum.

Aug 22

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Guest the Artist – Old Church Edition

I liked playing “Guess the Artist” last month so I have another good one for you.

old church painting

Aug 5

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The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus

The monthly ArtSmart Roundtable brings together some of the best art-focused travel blogs to post on a common theme. This month we are discussing great architecture! You can find links below for the rest of the group’s posts this month. Today I’m bringing you one of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World and the greatest Greek temple ever built: The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus!

Concept drawing of the Temple of Artemis (Photo: dkiel)

Oh wait – that doesn’t look very impressive….

Temple of Artemis of Ephesus today in modern Selcuk

Temple of Artemis today in modern Selcuk, Turkey.

Jul 25

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Ancient Jewelry I’d Like to Own

It always amazes me to see historic jewelry in museums. I’ve just assumed items so valuable and fragile would not have survived the centuries, but then there they are, neatly lined up in the display cases. Once again proving that everything old is new again, there’s a lot of ancient jewelry that I’d wear today. Here are some of personal favorites!

Gorgeous Egyptian necklace from the Oriental Institute in Chicago. (Photo: Daydream Tourist)

Jul 23

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Travel, Timing, and Reconstruction: Why You Can’t See What You Came to See

Washington DC had a very unusual earthquake in 2011. It destroyed some of the statuary at the National Cathedral and cracked the Washington Monument, an iconic obelisk-shaped landmark in the center of the city. This summer a massive scaffold has gone up over the tower to continue the repairs. Reconstruction and restoration are common sights for travelers where long-term improvement projects often leave facades covered and historic interiors obstructed. You can still enjoy these sites with in most cases with minimal impact on your visit!