About Art History Mystery Cozies

Can you imagine a world filled with nothing but serious artwork, heavy with moral instruction, somber tones, and monumental subjects? That's how things might have been if it weren't for the radical artists of the late 19th century. But a few trailblazing artists like Pierre-Auguste Renoir changed all that, determined to capture joy, movement, and modern life. Known for his luminous color, soft brushwork, and scenes of everyday leisure, Renoir helped define Impressionism, and

Want to know a secret? When most people think of John Singer Sargent, they picture the dazzling society portraits done in oil paint, like the one in Sargent's Deadly Commission. But whenever Sargent could step away from the grand salons and aristocratic drawing rooms, he enjoyed painting with watercolors. These paintings, created primarily in the last three decades of his life, reveal an artist painting not for patrons but for himself. They’re intimate, loosely experimental,

What makes Goya such a compelling artist to follow across museums and exhibitions is his range. He’s not just a painter of the opulence of royalty or of the grittiness of poverty—he’s both, and everything in between. Few painters capture the full spectrum of human experience quite like him. In 2026, you have the rare opportunity to experience his work across continents, formats, and interpretations. This post contains affiliate links throughout. As an Amazon Associate, I earn

If you're not familiar with the work of John Singer Sargent, here's your chance to discover one of the greatest artists of the 19th century. In his day, his paintings were considered so valuable that he was able to charge ten times the price of his competitors for his commissions. Few artists captured the elegance of high society quite like John Singer Sargent. Born in 1856 to American parents in Florence, Sargent grew up traveling across Europe, absorbing artistic influences

If you’re even remotely obsessed with artist John Singer Sargent, you’ve got a perfect excuse to plan an art-inspired itinerary that spans the U.S. and Europe. Whether you’re chasing his dazzling portraits, his atmospheric landscapes, or those loose, luminous watercolors, here are four must-see places to experience Sargent in 2026. Reading my cozy mystery, Sargent's Deadly Commission, may make you fall in love even more. Temporary Exhibition John Singer Sargent: An America

Everyone loves the French Impressionists, right? Not exactly. And not when they were new. Take Luncheon of the Boating Party, for instance. When I read that Pierre-Auguste Renoir initially thought this painting was pure folly, I just about fell out of my chair. In the 150 or so years since it was created, most viewers have agreed that it's one of his best. This post contains affiliate links throughout. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases made through thes

A little background on Goya's portraits of the Spanish royal family

A bit about the Palace of Aranjuez, the setting for Greed Comes for Goya, Book 2 in the Art History Mysteries series.