Leonardo Da Vinci

Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci was born April 15, 1452, in what is now present day Italy, and he was a contemporary of Michelangelo. Although he is considered by many to be the greatest painter that ever lived, his talents were many. Besides painting, he also pursued science, math, engineering, inventing, anatomy, sculpting, architecture, botany, music and writing. But da Vinci's fame comes from painting alone. His Mona Lisa and Last Supper are the most famous and most reproduced works of all times. He constantly experimented with new colors and techniques, and sometimes the results were disastrous. Consequently, very few original paintings remain, but his drawings, diagrams, and journals have made lasting contributions to the world of art.

Art Deco

Today we think of art deco as "old-fashioned," but in the 1920s and 1930s, this decorating style was considered modern and quite fashionable. It was expressed in streamlined shapes, as in early sedans like the Chrysler Airflow; sleek and metallic materials like the ones found in the Bullet trains; plush lavishness, found in train stations and movie theaters; and innovative architecture, as in the Chrysler Building in New York. By World War II, art deco's popularity waned and it quickly became considered outdated and too opulent for the austere war years. Today, art deco prints are popular collectibles around the world.