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The History of Spirit Photography and Disneyland's Haunted Mansion
The Haunted Mansion is connected to early spirit photography and Spiritualism.
9 hours ago3 min read
Why Art History Makes Disneyland More Magical
Knowing something about the real art that inspired Disney Imagineers adds another layer of magic to Disneyland
6 days ago3 min read
5 Surprising Facts About Disneyland’s Art You Didn’t Know
Five intriguing art-history facts about Disneyland that may surprise even the most devoted Disney fan
Apr 92 min read
Indiana Jones, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and the Art of Ancient Americas
Learn about the golden idol in Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark and its loose connection to the art of Ancient Americas.
Mar 266 min read
How Howard Pyle Shaped the Iconic Look of Pirates (Including at Disneyland!)
Discussion of how 19th-century artist Howard Pyle shaped the look of Pirates (including at Disneyland!)
Mar 184 min read
Beast’s Hands and Rodin’s Influence: Art History Easter Eggs in Beauty and the Beast
Blog post exploring the influence of art history, specifically Rodin, on the Beast’s hands Disney's Beauty and the Beast
Mar 134 min read
The Real-Life Pirates Who Inspired Disneyland’s Pirates of the Caribbean and the Character Redd
The female pirate Redd in Pirates of the Caribbean at Disneyland traces back to Anne Bonny and Mary Read, two legendary pirates.
Mar 65 min read
Anna, The Swing, and Rococo Art: Disney's Frozen Nods to Art History
Disney's Frozen has many nods to art history, including a cheeky reference to the risqué painting The Swing by Fragonard
Feb 265 min read
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and Rococo Art: Porcelain Inspired the Iconic Dance Scene
French decorative arts—especially Rococo porcelains—inspired the stunning visuals of Beauty and the Beast.
Feb 195 min read
Disney's Sleeping Beauty and Medieval Tapestries: The Art Behind the Movie
Disney's Sleeping Beauty has a fascinating art history connection with medieval tapestries, including the Unicorn Tapestries
Feb 54 min read
Aztec Gold, the "Calendar Stone," and Pirates of the Caribbean: Fact vs. Fiction
The "Aztec gold" in Pirates of the Caribbean loosely borrows from actual Aztec art and mythology
Jan 235 min read
Walking Through Trees, Real and Imagined: Redwoods National and State Parks and Disney California Adventure
Disney California Adventure's Redwood Creek Challenge Trail has some delightful connections to Redwoods National and State Parks
Jan 106 min read
The Evil Queen and Uta von Ballenstedt: Medieval Inspiration Behind Disney’s Iconic Villain
Disney’s villainous Evil Queen in Snow White is based on a famous medieval sculpture of Uta von Ballenstedt
Jan 35 min read
Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway and Vincent van Gogh's post-impressionist paintings
Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway reminds me of everyone’s favorite Post-impressionist Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh
Nov 11, 20245 min read
The Little Mermaid and Victorian artists: The Disney Princess Series
Did you know Ariel in The Little Mermaid is influenced by Victorian art?
Nov 8, 20242 min read
Epcot's Mexico Pavilion and the ancient city of Teotihuacan in Mexico
Ever noticed the projecting serpent heads on the Mexico Pavilion at Epcot? They relate to Teotihuacan!
Nov 6, 20244 min read
Putting art history to work in the world!
How I put art history to work in the world
Sep 9, 20243 min read
Bark cloth (tapa) in Polynesia and Moana: The Disney Princess Series
Moana's clothing and her connections to bark cloth (tapa) in the Pacific Islands
Sep 3, 20242 min read
Fulfilling a lifelong dream writing about art history at Disneyland—and beyond!
Writing about art history at Disneyland has been a lifelong dream—and I am finally fulfilling it
Aug 26, 20244 min read
"it's a small world" and a nod to an important Irish icon
"it's a small world" at Disneyland includes an important Irish icon
Aug 20, 20247 min read
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