42 episodes

Episodes from history, viewed through great works of art. No pre-reqs required! New episodes every month. Hosted by Amanda Matta, art historian and TikTok's favorite royal commentator.

Art of History Amanda Matta

    • Arts
    • 4.8 • 281 Ratings

Episodes from history, viewed through great works of art. No pre-reqs required! New episodes every month. Hosted by Amanda Matta, art historian and TikTok's favorite royal commentator.

    J.C. Leyendecker: The Making of American Manhood

    J.C. Leyendecker: The Making of American Manhood

    Artist and illustrator J.C. Leyendecker (1874-1951) helped shape modern American visual culture as the mind behind advertising campaigns like the legendary “Arrow Collar Man.” He was also responsible for countless covers for the Saturday Evening Post—one more, in fact, than Norman Rockwell. 
    Modern biographers also hold that Leyendecker was a gay man. Critics are now asking themselves whether his sexuality permeated into some of his most iconic commercial illustrations. 
    Today's Image: J.C. Leyendecker, “Record Time, Cool Summer Comfort,” (advertisement for Kuppenheimer menswear) (c. 1920). Oil on canvas. National Museum of American Illustration, Newport.
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    This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/ARTHISTORY and get on your way to being your best self.
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    New episodes every month. Let's keep in touch!
    Subscribe to my newsletter, The Fascinator.
    Email: artofhistorypod@gmail.com
    Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/matta_of_fact
    Instagram: @artofhistorypodcast
    TikTok: @artofhistorypod | @matta_of_fact
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    • 52 min
    History Daily: The Discovery of China’s Terracotta Army & The Execution of King Louis XVI

    History Daily: The Discovery of China’s Terracotta Army & The Execution of King Louis XVI

    I'm on vacation, and I hope you'll get some time away soon, too! Our featured podcast today is one that you'll 100% want to listen to on your summer travels: History Daily. 
    Each weekday on History Daily, host Lindsay Graham (not the senator) takes you back in time to explore a momentous event that happened ‘on this day’ in history. History Daily is there to tell you the true stories of the people and events that shaped our world—one day at a time.
    So if you’re stuck in traffic, bored at work—wherever you are, listen to History Daily to remind yourself that something incredible happened to make that day historic. A co-production from award-winning podcasters Airship and Noiser.
    Listen here, or wherever you get your podcasts.
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 36 min
    Art Bite: King Charles' New Royal Portrait

    Art Bite: King Charles' New Royal Portrait

    The internet has been ablaze with hot takes on King Charles III's brand-new royal portrait by British artist Jonathan Yeo. Does it depict a strong, capable monarch? Or one who is overshadowed by the chaotic state of his institution and modern world?
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    New episodes every month. Let's keep in touch!
    Subscribe to my newsletter, The Fascinator.
    Email: artofhistorypod@gmail.com
    Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/matta_of_fact
    Instagram: @artofhistorypodcast
    TikTok: @artofhistorypod | @matta_of_fact
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 16 min
    Portrait of a Woman: Adélaïde Labille-Guiard (with Bridget Quinn)

    Portrait of a Woman: Adélaïde Labille-Guiard (with Bridget Quinn)

    Adélaïde Labille-Guiard (1749–1803) rose from shopkeeper’s daughter to an official portraitist of the French royal court—only to have her achievements reduced to ash by the Revolution. While she defied societal barriers to build a remarkable artistic career, Adélaïde's legacy was long overshadowed by celebrated portraitist and memoirist Élisabeth Vigée-Lebrun.
    Today, we’re joined by Bridget Quinn, author of the first (!!) full biography of the trailblazing artist: Portrait of a Woman: Art, Rivalry, and Revolution in the Life of Adélaïde Labille-Guiard. Quinn offers a fascinating new perspective on the layers of Adélaïde’s life—and her work. We discuss her life, her feminism, her sexuality, and her alleged “feud” with Vigée-Lebrun.
    Pick up a copy of Portrait of a Woman here.
    ______
    New episodes every month. Let's keep in touch!
    Listen to me on Lady Audaci-TEA: Spotify | Apple Podcasts
    Subscribe to my newsletter, The Fascinator.
    Email: artofhistorypod@gmail.com
    Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/matta_of_fact
    Instagram: @artofhistorypodcast
    TikTok: @artofhistorypod | @matta_of_fact
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 52 min
    Double Agent: Chevalier d'Éon

    Double Agent: Chevalier d'Éon

    The Chevalier d'Éon (1728–1810) is known as a transgender icon, living the first half of their life as a man, and the second as a woman. Theirs is also a life that is remarkably documented in contemporary artwork. But how much can we conclusively determine about how the Chevalier viewed themselves from their portraits?
    Today's Image(s): Alexandre-Auguste Robineau, The Fencing-Match between the Chevalier de Saint-George and the Chevalier d'Éon (c. 1787-9). Oil on canvas. Royal Collection Trust.
    And: Thomas Stewart, Chevalier d'Éon, after Jean-Laurent Mosnier (1792). National Portrait Gallery.
    ______
    New episodes every month. Let's keep in touch!
    Email: artofhistorypod@gmail.com
    Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/matta_of_fact
    Instagram: @artofhistorypodcast
    TikTok: @artofhistorypod // @matta_of_fact
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 1 hr 18 min
    Aina: The Forgotten Princess

    Aina: The Forgotten Princess

    How did the daughter of an African ruler become goddaughter to Queen Victoria? A young black girl named Aina, later called Sarah Forbes Bonetta (1843–1880), began life in West Africa. But she would grow up to become a popular member of Victorian royal circles.
    Today's Image: Hannah Uzor, Aina, Sarah Forbes Bonetta Davies (2020). Acrylic & fabric on canvas, 120x80 cm. Osborne House, United Kingdom.
    Hannah Uzor on the English Heritage Podcast
    Tour Scotland with me! | Tour Germany & Austria with me!
    ______
    New episodes every month. Let's keep in touch!
    Listen to me on Lady Audaci-TEA: Spotify | Apple Podcasts
    Subscribe to my newsletter, The Fascinator.
    Email: artofhistorypod@gmail.com
    Instagram: @artofhistorypodcast
    TikTok: @artofhistorypod | @matta_of_fact
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 1 hr 3 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
281 Ratings

281 Ratings

wjess77 ,

Great podcast

I’ve been listening to this podcast a lot lately, very informative, I love the biography style, as I’m always intrigued by how people navigated through the time they live in. She knows the stuff well, and just genuinely sounds pleasant.

Hairbikini ,

Art History Degree Put to Good Use!

Love, Love, Love. Made me wish I had looked at the Primavera longer instead of being put off by the crowds. Was there to see Artemisia’s work on that trip anyways. Ooooo do Judith Slaying Holefernese (I know that isn’t spelt correctly, sorry).

Cassie Neal ,

Great pacing…

This isn’t my normal podcast material but it’s really grown on me. A great break from my typical listening choices. Thanks Amanda!

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