Bob Duggan
Contributing Writer
Bob Duggan has Master’s Degrees in English Literature and Education and is not afraid to use them. Born and raised in Philadelphia, PA, he has always been fascinated by art and brings an informed amateur’s eye to the conversation.
Why Hitchcock’s “Vertigo” Is the Greatest Movie Ever — Better than “Citizen Kane”
Bored by “Citizen Kane”? Looking back from our era of psychologically messed up lead characters (think Bryan Cranston’s Walter Whitein Breaking Bad), Vertigo seems decades ahead of its time.
Tattoos that historical figures might have had today
If tattoos had always been as popular as they are today, here is what Charles Darwin, Henry V, Lord Nelson, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama might have inked.
How dark was Degas’ dark side?
There's a strange beauty, yes, but also a violence to Degas' technique. Where did that violence come from?
The Man Who Broke Baseball’s Color Line Before Jackie Robinson
Why did Jackie Robinson have to break baseball’s color line in 1947 after another man broke it almost 70 years before?
Is Amanda Palmer the Prototypical Artist of the Future?
Is Amanda Palmer (who turns 40 today!), queen of pop-up concerts, kickstarter, and social media, the prototypical artist of the future?
Is James Brown the Key to Solving America’s Race Puzzle?
Author-musician James McBride claims that James Brown, the Godfather of Soul, holds the secret to America’s race-torn soul.
What secrets did Shakespeare take to the grave?
What secrets did Shakespeare take to his grave 400 years ago? Are the plays the thing to unlock the mysteries of literature’s king?
Why Do People Love to Hate Renoir?
Impressionist master or indulgent misogynist? Why do people either love Renoir or love to hate him?
Did Batman Begin Modern Nerd Culture?
If Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice made you mad, maybe you’re part of the modern nerd culture Batman began.
Who Really Killed the Beatles?
We heard the news today, 46 years ago, that the Beatles were no more. But who was the real killer in the magical mystery tour of the Fab Four’s finale?
How the Venus de Milo Changed Female Beauty
More than just a pretty face, the Venus de Milo (rediscovered on this date in 1820) has changed ideas of female beauty ever since, often in surprising ways.
Who Made Beethoven Mad Enough to Un-Dedicate a Symphony?
If a politician’s broken promises ever broke your heart, Beethoven knew how you feel.
Who Is Today’s “Man of a Thousand Faces”?
Actor Lon Chaney was the movies’ original “Man of a Thousand Faces.” Who is the man (or woman) of a thousand faces today?
Laura Poitras’s Survival Guide for Living Under Total Surveillance
Artist Laura Poitras—the filmmaker who helped Edward Snowden—shows Americans how to survive total surveillance in a new exhibition.
Are We Still Living in the Age of Pop Art?
Warhol may be dead, but Pop Art is not—it’s more international, relevant, and alive than ever.
How World War I Changed Pablo Picasso
Picasso didn’t fight in World War I, but he still struggled with how that war influenced his art and life.
No Joke: Terry Jones Explains the Last (and Next) Financial Crisis
Monty Python’s Terry Jones argues that economics isn’t a science—it’s history! Forgetting that history inevitably dooms us to the next financial crisis.
Take the Challenge: Can You Name Five Women Artists?
For Women’s History Month 2016, take the #5WomenArtists challenge and test your (sexist?) art history knowledge.
The Man Who Turned American Movies Into Art
Before #OscarsSoWhite and #MoviesSoBland, William Cameron Menzies turned American movies into art.
Hieronymus Bosch: Freakiest Artist Ever?
On the 500th anniversary of the death of Dutch artist Hieronymus Bosch, his native Netherlands is letting the freak flags fly.
Music to My Eyes: Walter Martin Sings Art History
Walter Martin sings about art history in his new album Arts and Leisure and makes music for your eyes.
Why Richard Pryor Still Speaks to Artists
Artists such as Glenn Ligon still look to comedian Richard Pryor to make sense of the African-American experience.
Did the Most Political Artist on Earth Just Sell Out?
Chinese activist Ai Weiwei is the most political artist on Earth. Did he just sell his soul to a department store?
What Happens When Artists Give Up Selling Their Art and Go On Creating
These American artists once challenged the art world with epic land art. Where are today’s troublemakers?
Finding the Lighter Side of Mark Rothko
Mark Rothko’s suicide colored how we’ve seen his art ever since. His son’s book paints a brighter, richer picture.
Try out These Art and Music Pairings to Get More out of Both
Resolved to be more cultured in 2016? Try these art and music pairings to learn to savor more of both.
Why Do We Only Discover Artists When They Die?
Don’t know Ellsworth Kelly or his art? Now’s your chance — he’s dead.
Should We Reopen the Book on Freud?
Freud was much more than the Id and Oedipus, and he may be the answer to today’s problems.
What Does the First Movie Action Hero Say About the Heroes of Today?
Before there was Cruise, Stallone, and Schwarzenegger, there was Douglas Fairbanks.
Can You Draw Your Way to Zen?
Always wanted the Zen, but without the meditation? Maybe drawing is your path to mindfulness.