Lauren
Dr. Lauren
Kilroy-Ewbank
ART HISTORIAN · AUTHOR · EDUCATOR
Bringing the weird and wonderful world of art history to light.
author
Art historian
Disney art historian
consultant
traveler
PHD, ART HISTORY
"My superpower is finding ways to connect art history to everything."
ABOUT LAUREN
A recovering professor on a mission.
Hi, I'm Lauren Kilroy-Ewbank, PhD. I left my full-time academic position to find new ways to share the thrilling, weird, and maddening stories about art and history with more people than a lecture hall could hold. (Though I still love being in the classroom.)
These days, I am happily cataloguing Disneyland's hidden art history, from Victorian hair art in the Haunted Mansion and the Mona Lisa in Pinocchio's Daring Journey to Danse Macabre imagery in Pirates of the Caribbean. I've been at it for 20+ years.
◆ Award-winning educator
◆ Museum & TV consultant
◆ Author of multiple books
◆ Cofounder of ARTSQ
◆ Amateur photographer (Canon R5!)
◆ World Traveler
Books &
Projects
Sleeping Beauty: An Art Historian's Guide
Women in Latin America
Stories for young readers about Sor Juana, Lady Six Monkey, La Malinche, and more.
Academic Scholarship & Books
Peer-reviewed scholarship about Latin America, Mesoamerica, and the Spanish Americas.
The medieval manuscripts, Pre-Raphaelite paintings, modern art, and Japanese prints that inspired this Disney visually stunning film.
The Hidden Art History of New Orleans Square
Disneyland'S hidden art history
FEATURED WORK
For over 20 years, I've been cataloguing the surprising, strange, and occasionally scandalous art historical references embedded throughout Disneyland, Walt Disney World, and Disney films.
20+
years of research
100s
references catalogued
6
Disney Parks covered
EXPLORE DISNEY ART HISTORY
Did you know?
🔴 In Mexico, artists used crushed bugs to create a glorious red paint. And guess what? We still use it today as a dye and food coloring. Hello, carmine and Red-4!
🚽 In New York City, a urinal changed the course of art in the 20th century. Don't worry, it wasn't used. I don't think....
🏛️ In Rome, the oldest monument in the city is from . . . ancient Egypt. It was brought to Rome a long time ago. And it is not the only one in the city.
🏰 In Los Angeles, Disneyland uses hundreds of art historical references from around the world—not all kid-friendly. I've been collecting these references for more than 20 years.