Culture Watch

Val Castronovo reviews: Matisse liked happy subjects and happy colors. His paintings are suffused with light and with bright, bold colors and exotic patterns derived from Islamic art (a favorite of his after visiting Morocco in 1912). He thought art should make you feel good, saying that he “dreamt of an art of balance and purity and serenity, devoid of troubling or depressing subject matter ... a mental soother ... like a good armchair.” more »

Reviewed by Jill Norgren: David Nasaw does not ask his readers to like Joe Kennedy. He does not hold back on the damning stories of deceit and unbridled ambition. He does, however, appear utterly convinced that Kennedy doted on his children — beyond needing them to fulfill his ambitions, and that they returned his love. Joe Kennedy “had pledged to faithfully love and support [Rose] and the children they might have together …. What he did not intend to do was give up being a ‘ladies man’.” And he did not. more »

CT scans of Ramesses III revealed a wide and deep wound in the throat of the mummy, probably caused by a sharp blade – and which could have caused immediate death. A Horus eye amulet was also found inside the wound, most probably inserted by the ancient Egyptian embalmers during the mummification process to promote healing. more »

The exhibition explores the varied ways in which European monarchs and aristocrats were represented by court artists and those outside of these rarified circles in works that served as propaganda, commemorated an historical event, or even poked fun at perceived excesses or ineptitude. more »