About Art History Mystery Cozies

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 ) that I’ve been showing in previous posts . 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, l

World’s fairs, also known as international expositions, have long captured the imagination of millions. These grand events blend innovation, culture, and spectacle, offering a snapshot of human progress at a particular moment in time. From the steam-powered wonders of the 19th century to today’s immersive, tech-driven exhibitions, world’s fairs have evolved alongside society itself. Early Fairs The story of world’s fairs begins in the mid-19th century, during a period of rapi

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 from Paris to Madrid. As a teenager living in Paris, he trained at the prestigious atelier of Carolus-Duran, where he mastered a fluid, confident brushstroke inspired by Diego Velázquez. By his late twenties, Sargent had become one of the most sought-after portraitists in Europe.

The Impressionists didn’t just paint differently—they changed the way we see. Trading rigid academic rules for spontaneity, light, and modern life, they captured fleeting moments with a freshness that still feels contemporary today. In fact, their work was so revolutionary that I felt the best place to start the Art History Mysteries was right in the midst of them. But if the French Impressionists are new to you, and you just want to dip your toe into the art history pool, h

If you’re even remotely obsessed with artist John Singer Sargent (and I'm hoping you are after reading my cozy mystery called Sargent's Deadly Commission ), 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.   Temporary Exhibition John Singer Sargent: An American

No one would ever describe me as a fashionista, but when I was researching clothing for Sargent's Deadly Commission , my cozy mystery set in the Gilded Age, I came across the designs of Charles Frederick Worth. His stunning dresses stopped me in my tracks, and I knew I had to include them in my book somehow. If you're not familiar with it, let me introduce you to the House of Worth. The story starts with Charles Frederick Worth, an Englishman who moved to Paris in the mid-180

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 Luncheon of the Boating Party was created, most viewers have agreed that it's one of his best! The scene takes place at the Maison Fournaise, a popular riverside restaurant just outside Paris. Renoir shows us a group of well-dressed young Parisians (his girlfriend, brother, and many of their friends) lounging on a balcony afte

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.