The Fortepiano (1720)

The fortepiano is one the oldest surviving early pianos. The artifact remains on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The piano has only 54 keys, while modern pianos have 88. The structure is wing shaped similar to a hapsicord. The piano would produce a different sound,giving musicians more to work with. […]

Head of Man with Tight Curly Hair Sculpture ( 120-100 B.C.E)

This sculpture was from the 2nd century B.C.E, which depicts the face of a Nubian man. Nubia refers to the region along the Nile river between Aswan and central Sudan. The Nile valley composed many African civilizations. Meroe, Napata, Kerma, and Kush were major kingdoms. The art found provides a record of various peoples living […]

Jim Henson and Frank OZ Promote The Dark Crystal on Russell Harty (1982)

The Dark Crystal was released in 1982 and it was radically different from Jim Henson’s other work. This interview on the Russel Harty show Jim Henson and Fran OZ explain the world and folklore of the Dark Crystal. The film utilized some of the most sophisticated puppets at the time. Henson also provides the audience with […]

Soviet Soldier Raising Flag Over The Reichstag (1945)

After much suffering the Soviet Union was able to invade Germany. Russia had withstood devastating losses during World War II. The image above shows a Soviet soldier raising the flag of the U.S.S.R over the Reichstag the symbol of Nazi power. Berlin after years of war was in ruins. Looking closer in the photograph the […]

Le Petit Journal Bosnian Crisis Coverage (1908)

The Balkans were thrown into crisis when Bulgaria declared independence and Austria-Hungary annexed Bosnia-Herzegovina. Le Petit Journal published this political cartoon on it cover showing Franz Joseph and King Ferdinand I taking land from Adul Hamid II. King Ferdinand I of Bulgaria timed the declaration of independence knowing Turkey would be too weak to react effectively. […]

King Obalufon II Copper Mask (1300)

African art provides a record of the continent’s history. The King Obalufon II copper mask was produced in 1300. The mask was discovered in Ife. Ife and Oyo were prominent Yoruba kingdoms in the 14th century. These kingdoms were located in what is now modern Nigeria. There were more metal mask artifacts discovered in Nigeria […]

“China The Cake of Kings And Emperors ” Political Cartoon (1898)

This was a political cartoon produced in France discussing European colonial ambition in China. The racist representation of a Chinese Qing official was a common depiction at the time in European newspapers and visual media. The European leaders depicted are ignoring him as they slowly divide up China. The leaders shown are Queen Victoria, Kaiser […]