Exploring the ancient method of egg tempera painting- Brian Keeler Egg tempera painting is new to me but the medium is as time-honored as ancient Egypt. Panel paintings in egg tempera from the time that the pyramids were built still survive to attest to its durability- with the color looking as vibrant as the day they were painted. In respect to archival durability, egg tempera might only be second to buon fresco, or true fresco. There are wonderful examples of fresco fro

An essay on a cultural divide expressed in the portraits of two 16th century Englishmen- Brian Keeler Two portraits in the Frick Museum in New York City are perpetually presented to us to enjoy for their remarkablly virtuous and painterly performances. Underneath and between the portraits lie a great cultural, religious and ethical divide. This schism is nothing short of the Protestant Reformation and all that implies and included on world events. I am speaking of the two p

. An esssay on Dante's Relevance- Brian Keeler Above- Brian Keeler, "Autumn Still Life with Dante," oil on linen, 30" x 36". For anyone who has read The Divine Comedy , considering which of Dante's forms of justice would be appropriate for our era is understandable. There is a long list of transgressions that we observe coming from the White House. In fact, there are so many truly horrendous violations of every stripe that we are never short of material. As many have observ

An essay on how the human form inspires and corresponds to art, life, architecture and more. Brian Keeler The relation of the parts to the whole and their successful interaction could sum up the ideal of visual virtue as expressed in the work of the ancient Roman architect Vitruvius and the authors of the Renaissance who rediscovered his work. I found these ideas intriguing and useful in how they applied to painting today as well as to many other areas of life. The human

Thoughts on Ancient Rome and America- Brian Keeler Ok, this is a title concerning ancient history but the relevance of Cicero to political occurrences today is striking and poignant. The convictions of the Roman orator, philosopher and senator, Marcus Tullius Cicero (106 to 43 BC) could be applied to how this eloquent citizen of the Eternal City would regard current events. I like to recall the travails of ancient Rome as they seem so uncanily relevant and spot-on to our