Unheard Melodies: Hildegard von Bingen

What did “free speech” mean before the Civil War...and what did it cost? Today, I'm exploring how Americans have debated the meaning of liberty through words, images, and even violence beginning with Samuel Jennings’s 1792 painting 'Liberty Displaying the Arts and Sciences' in 17 ...  Show more

In the final installment of our Impressionism primer, we meet the artists who broke away from light and surface to paint something deeper. From Van Gogh’s turbulent skies to Gauguin’s mythic Tahitian scenes, Cézanne’s geometric still lifes to Seurat’s scientific dots, the Post-Im ...  Show more

This week on Historia Obscura: how several different religious groups and two foreign nations fought for control over a tiny country known for its religious diversity. Special thanks to Patreon subscriber Tom! Subscribe to my Patreon at <a href="https://www.patreon.com/histori ...

Hildegard was a Christian mystic of medieval Europe who was way, way ahead of her time. If she had lived a few hundred years later, and been male, people probably would have called her a renaissance man.

Maria Theresa, Holy Roman Empress was one of the most powerful women in history. Her husband and son got to hold the title of Emperor but she was the real power. She reformed and modernized her empire all while having 16 children including Marie Antionette, Queen of France. Join ...  Show more

Enjoying the Netflix romantic drama "The Empress"? Check out the real story of Empress Elisabeth "Sisi" of Austria. Elisabeth of Austria was a shy woman who’s beauty won the heart of Emperor Franz Joseph. She suffered under heavy expectations and a frankly evil mother in law. She ...  Show more