7 Podcasts: Art History, Modern Art, and More

You’re likely to get two very different opinions on the same piece of artwork if you ask two people. The conversation gets even richer when you add a third party.

One person might not see the merit of the work, but another person might. This is why many people question their ability to understand art and lament their lack thereof.

Here’s the problem: Just because you like a piece of art doesn’t mean that you understand it. And just because you don’t like it doesn’t mean you misunderstand its meaning.

art is subjective. However,you still have the opportunity to learn about the history and artists behind some of the greatest masterpieces in the world while staying up-to-date with current trends in the art world.

One of the easiest ways to do this is with art podcasts. Art podcasts!

Understanding the art world: Finding your perfect podcast

Many of us depend on podcasts the same way that previous generations did on documentary series and news programmes.

We can keep up to date with the latest news on a daily basis. However, we can also explore subject matter that we are afraid of neglecting or topics that we have always wanted to know more about.

If art or art history falls into this category, then why not take the time to look at the top podcasts to download to improve your art skills?

There’s something for everyone in art history and modern art.

The Lonely Palette

The Lonely Palette

The Lonely Palette podcast is a reminder that art doesn’t discriminate and is open to interpretation by anyone who wants to engage with it.

Tamar Avishai caters to all levels of listeners. She chooses one piece from each episode and does a deep dive on its history with museum-goers as well as art lovers.

Tamar is eager to show her listeners the accessibility of each piece. She discusses the “movement, the social context”, the anecdotes and any and all other topics that are likely to interest both novices and aficionados.

This podcast series, which includes everything from Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa to Frida Kallo’s Dos Mujeres is essential for anyone who wants to broaden their art history knowledge.

ArtCurious with Jennifer Dasal

Art Curious

ArtCurious was launched in 2016. It is a podcast that brings art historical to life by separating the facts from the fiction.

Current listeners will recognize that certain topics are consistent throughout the series. This means that there will be more than one episode devoted to these themes. These include ‘Shock Art,’ ‘Rivals, and ‘True Crime.

Jennifer Dasal examines the conflict between Michelangelo & Raphael and asks whether the famed German Impressionist painter Otto Dix planned to kill Hitler.

Jennifer explained that ArtCurious is dedicated to “exploring the unexpectedly odd and the strangely beautiful in art history”. It’s the perfect podcast for anyone looking to get behind the scenes and learn more about some of the most well-known artists around the world.

The Renaissance: A History of Renaissance Art

The Renaissance

The Renaissance: A History of Renaissance Art – As the title implies, The Renaissance is, oh yeah, you guessed, a podcast dedicated to the arts and artists of the Renaissance period.

The podcast was launched in 2015 by Denis Byrd (art teacher and artist). It is ideal for anyone looking to get a general overview of the period and a deeper understanding of some of the most important names of that era.

Denis covers 28 episodes and examines their mentors and inspirations. This makes it a great listen for anyone looking to get familiar with the time period that brought us Michelangelo’s David and Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa.

You can experience Michelangelo’s David in person on our VIP David or Duomo tour. Spend time with Mona Lisa on our small group Louvre tour.

Art Detective

Art Detective

Art Detective is hosted by Dr Janina RAMIrez. It posits that understanding art can help us understand history.

Dr Ramirez provides a unique insight into the historical, social, and cultural landscapes of the time by examining the world’s most famous art, from paintings and sculptures to the written word .

The series was launched in 2016 and is now nearing its 70th episode. It has discussed The Kiss by Gustav Klimt and Praxiteles’ Aphrodite of Knidos. It also featured discussions on The Fairy Feller’s Master-Stroke and The Fairy Feller’s Master-Stroke.

Continue reading: The Art Lover’s Guide to Pompeii – A City Frozen In Time

A piece of work

A Piece of Work

Source: WNYC Studio/YouTube

Abbi Jacobson hosts A Bit of Work. The show, which launched in 2017, focuses primarily on contemporary and modern art. Each episode is less than 30 minutes long.

After ten episodes, A Piece of Work came to an end in 2017. It drew from the opinions of curators and artists and was educational, informative, and entertaining. Many listeners have asked for a second series.

Listeners praise all the participants for their approachable and easygoing way of interpreting and experiencing art.

Art History for All

Art History for All

This podcast is hosted by Allyson Shealey. It truly lives up to its title , which is art history for all. If you are unsure of your art history knowledge, there is nothing more you could ask for.

Art History for All seeks to prove that art is accessible to everyone regardless of whether you fall into the category of ‘art lovers’, ‘art haters’ or ‘art-is-just-okay-ers’.

Its brief introduction states: ” Art History for Alltakes your beyond the art historical canon to help you find the way art speaks to and connects with you, even if you’ve never heard it before.”

The series was launched in 2018 and is nearing its 22nd season. Each episode focuses on one piece of art and aims at creating a connection between the piece, listener, and viewer.

It has succeeded, as evident by the positive reviews it has received.

The Conversation Arts Podcast

The Conversation Art Podcast

Last but not least, let’s turn our attention toward The Conversation Art Podcast. This podcast, hosted by Michael Shaw recently aired its 250th edition!

Los Angeles-based Conversation Art Podcast features insights from curators, artists, curators, and collectors who are passionate about the subject.

What can you expect? Simply put, it will allow you to listen to contemporary art conversations. The host explained at the beginning that the show ‘goes behind the scenes and between the lines.

The Conversation Art Podcast is the podcast for you if you want to learn contemporary artwork and the people who inhabit it.

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