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Angels have been a source of inspiration for artists and designers for centuries. These heavenly creatures feature in beautiful artwork, from paintings and sculptures to tapestries and stained glass windows. Our latest release, Angels & Cherubs: An Image Archive for Artists and Designers, includes 159 beautiful, lifelike images of angels and cherubs in various poses and scenarios. This blog post will tell the story behind some of the illustrations.

Berthe Hoola Van Nooten was a Dutch artist and illustrator best known for her botanical artwork. Her detailed illustrations of flowers and plants were widely sought after by collectors and art lovers. Hoola Van Nooten's work is characterised by its precise attention to detail and soft and delicate colour palette. She is most well known for her illustrated collection, Fleurs, Fruits et Feuillages Choisis de l'Ile de Java, a set of 40 stunning illustrations depicting the botanical species in the Indonesian island of Java. Let's take a closer look at the life and work of this remarkable artist.

Art historians, scholars and inquisitive audiences have speculated on the secrets hidden in Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa. We've even discussed them on our blog! Today we're going to discuss another mystery that involves this painting, the tale of the 1911 theft of the Mona Lisa and how it disappeared for two years, and how its reappearance made it one of the most famous paintings in the world. 

Flowers have inspired artists throughout history; from ancient Roman frescoes to Monet's water lilies, many of the world's most revered artists have decorated their works with colourful blooms. The botanical world has an endless variety of flowers – each with unique colour schemes, shapes and sizes that make them incredibly versatile subject matter for any artist. They are captivating symbols of life and beauty, and some flowers have additional symbolic meanings.

Birds of prey are fascinating creatures that have evolved over millions of years to become some of the most efficient hunters in nature. These birds use various techniques to hunt their prey, including swooping down from high above, using stealth and camouflage, and even utilising complex hunting calls. This blog post will focus on three fascinating species of eagle.

Many Greek and Roman mythology characters have been depicted in art throughout the ages, and these characters often hold great significance in ancient and modern cultures. Some of these figures are more well-known than others, but all offer a fascinating glimpse into the fantastic and magical world of mythology

The daguerreotype was introduced in 1839 by Louis Daguerre. It was the first publicly available photographic process and quickly became popular among those interested in photography. The name "daguerreotype" refers to both the process used to create the images and the final product.

Día de Los Muertos, or The Day of the Dead, is a celebratory festival that remembers and honours friends and family members who have died. It is a national symbol in Mexico, taught in schools and celebrated with public holidays. Día de Los Muertos is an important celebration of Mexican indigenous culture and is listed on UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. 

Edvard Munch was a Norwegian Expressionist painter who created the iconic painting, 'The Scream' in 1893. The work was inspired by an experience where Munch felt overwhelmed by "the infinite scream of nature." Today, we'll learn about the theft of The Scream from the National Museum of Norway.