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61 Curious Facts They Don't Teach You In Art Classes
Art & DesignDEC 20, 2022

61 Curious Facts They Don't Teach You In Art Classes

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Although thinking about art as a factual entity might seem a bit odd at first (you know, based on the notion that art is all about emotions and feelings), you would be surprised how many fun facts about art there really are. So many that we’ve filled a whole list with facts about art so you can entertain your friends at the most unexpected times with them. Or, you can also dish out these interesting facts about art at any old gallery opening when there’s nothing else to talk about. 
Anyway, these interesting facts will absolutely give you pieces of information you’ve never heard before and, at the same time, will entertain you like nothing else before. Here’s a snippet of what to expect from these amusing art facts. Did you know that the Mona Lisa is so popular among her fans that she (well, not she, exactly, but the painting) has her own mailbox for fan letters at the Louvre? Neither did we, but now we are so tempted to write to her and see if we get a reply! Or did you know that the color wheel existed way before the United States did? Now there’s a piece of useless information we will absolutely remember for the rest of our lives! 
Now that you got the gist that these cool facts about art will absolutely be worthy of your attention and time, it is our cue to urge you to scroll on down and check them out. Once you are there, rank the fun facts since now they are in no particular order. And lastly, if you feel the need to share this article with your friends, do not hesitate to do so! 

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#1 Bob Ross Once Helped A Color-Blind Viewer By Spending An Entire Episode Painting In Only In Grey

Bob Ross in pink shirt painting a gray landscape, demonstrating curious facts they don't teach in art classes.
432points

#2 There Are Two Starry Nights By Van Gogh

The Starry Night Over The Rhone by Van Gogh, featuring night sky and reflections, illustrating curious facts in art classes.
358points

#3 The Most Well-Known Graffiti Artist In The World Is Banksy, Yet No One Knows His Real Name

Graffiti of a woman falling with a shopping trolley, items spilling out, showcasing urban street art and curious art facts.
343points

#4 Leonardo Da Vinci Was A 15th Century Animal Rights Activist And Vegetarian

Portrait of Leonardo da Vinci from historical drawings, highlighting curious facts about art not taught in classes.
320points

#5 91% Of Americans Believe That A Well-Rounded Education Must Include The Arts

Woman teacher guides children painting at easels in bright classroom focused on curious facts in art classes.
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309points

Bored Panda got in touch with Skaistė Kirslys, painter and illustrator from Klaipėda, Lithuania to talk about art and what it’s all about these days. Among many things, Skaistė focuses her talents on delicately intricate watercolor illustrations of natural landscapes with occasional ventures into urban scenery. Or a mix of both.

The beauty of visual art is the idea that, in its core, it was always the same. Only the form of delivery differed. “I think that the purpose of visual art has not changed as time went on. It has always been relevant because it conveyed a message that represented everything that really mattered in its respective time,” elaborated Skaistė.

#6 Art Used To Be A Competition In The Olympics

Sketch by Jean Jacoby showing four men riding bikes, illustrating curious facts about art in dynamic motion.
256points

#7 Roman Sculptures Were Designed With Removable Heads So That One Head Could Be Swapped Out For Another

Statue of St. Peter by Giuseppe De Fabris showcasing art details in curious facts not taught in art classes.
253points

#8 Leonardo Da Vinci Was Ambidextrous - Able To Write With One Hand While Simultaneously Drawing With The Other

Young man sketching a figure on white paper, exploring curious facts they don't teach in art classes.
239points

#9 Recent Discovery Made In Spain Found That The Oldest Paintings Discovered To Date, Made By Humans, Were Made More Than 42,000 Years Ago

Ancient hunting scene drawings on rock walls at Cuevas de las Manos, showcasing curious facts in art history
234points

#10 Van Gogh Captured His Perspective From An Asylum In The Starry Night

The Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh showcasing swirling night sky and vibrant colors in art classes curious facts.
215points

The creation and rise of technology ushered in a new age in visual art. On a professional level, you have everyone from architecture to graphic and web design to film creation and animation to fashion design and the like all using technology to make art a tangible and practical reality. It’s amazing what a keyboard, a mouse, and drawing pad can achieve.

But then there’s technical innovation that has introduced completely new forms of art, like laser shows and digital performance art.

“The most popular forms of modern art these days are often created using technology—computers. Not only have they become easily accessible to the majority of people, but they also don’t require a spacious art studio, a variety of tools, and it’s just fast,” added Skaistė.

#11 Leonardo Da Vinci Was A Procrastinator

Leonardo da Vinci's horse proportions study on pale pink laid paper showing detailed measurement sketches for art classes facts.
182points

#12 Picasso Believed That Art Is Done To Wash Away The Dust Of Our Daily Lives From Our Souls

Young woman relaxing on carpet with drawings around her, immersed in curious art facts and creative inspiration.
173points

#13 Romanticism Was A Cultural Movement That Originated In Europe And Also Gave Rise To The Importance Of Plein Air Painting

Man standing on rocky peak above foggy mountains in famous painting, illustrating curious facts in art classes.
162points

#14 'The Scream', The Most Well-Known Piece By Expressionist Artist Edvard Munch, Exists In Five Different Versions

The Scream by Edvard Munch depicting expressionist art and emotions in curious facts about art classes.
159points

#15 Pablo Picasso Was A Prime Suspect In The Theft Of The Mona Lisa In 1911, But He Was Proven To Be Innocent After The Trials

Museum director and two men examining the Mona Lisa painting at the Uffizi Gallery, illustrating curious facts about art.
156points

She continued: “What’s happening now—AI (Artificial Intelligence) art—is an inevitability. Back in the day, when the digital art era was just kicking off, a lot about it was unknown to us. Some feared for the fate of those who chose traditional and classic forms of expression. In the end, nothing bad really happened. Some artists adapted—others stayed true to the classics.”

“It’s also important to consider the audience: each has its own taste and opinion. Some like digital works, while others disagree and look for more authentic, hand-made pieces of art. Art evolves just like humankind always has.”

“AI is what’s trending now, but it’s hard to speculate what the future holds at this point. Who knows, maybe analog will become the next big thing.”

#16 Salvador Dali Got The Idea For His Famous Melting Clocks From Watching Pieces Of Camembert Cheese Melt In The Sun

Salvador Dali with his pet ocelot Babou and decorated cane showing curious facts in art classes in 1965
149points

#17 Pablo Picasso Was An Animal Lover Who Had A Monkey, Goat, Owl, Turtle, Lots Of Cats And Dogs

Pablo Picasso with family Pyrenean Mountain dog at Boisgeloup, a curious art fact from 1930 musée national Picasso Paris.
149points

#18 One Of The Fathers Of The Impressionist Movement, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Had Suffered From Rheumatoid Arthritis

Impressionist city street scene with people and horse-drawn carriage in The Grands Boulevards by Renoir, curious art facts
148points

#19 The 3500-Year-Old Kerala Murals Were Made Entirely Of Natural Paints And Vegetable Dyes, Leaving Them Completely Eco-Friendly

Pundareekapuram mural painting showcasing intricate details and vibrant colors, highlighting curious facts in art classes.
147points

#20 Before Committing Suicide In 1890, Van Gogh Sold Only One Painting, 'The Red Vineyard'

Red Vineyards at Arles by Vincent van Gogh showing vibrant colors and dynamic brushstrokes in an art curious fact scene.
146points

Lastly, we’ve asked Skaistė about the challenges that modern professional artists face. She singled out competition as being among the biggest offenders. Sure, competition has always been a thing, but considering how much tech has made art accessible, this in turn empowered more players in the market.

But, on the other hand, there’s also a variety of ways to get your art out there—all you need to do is to use them.

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