Artnet News published a roundup of 10 art historical deep dives from 2025, curated by an editor who expresses a deep passion for art history. The article highlights several featured stories, including the eccentric tale behind Carl Kahler's monumental cat painting "My Wife's Lovers" (1891), commissioned by Gilded Age patron Kate Birdsall Johnson; the record-breaking sale of Gustav Klimt's "Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer" for $236.4 million at Sotheby's New York, with its rich symbolism and Imperial Chinese motifs; the online resurgence of August Friedrich Schenck's obscure 19th-century painting "Anguish" (ca. 1878), popularized by TikTok; and the centenary of F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby" with a deep dive into Francis Cugat's iconic cover art "Celestial Eyes" (1924).
This article matters because it demonstrates how art historical scholarship can be made accessible and engaging for a broad audience, blending rigorous research with popular culture and digital trends. By spotlighting both canonical masterpieces and lesser-known works, the piece underscores the enduring relevance of art history in contemporary discourse, from social media revivals to auction records, and highlights the role of art journalism in connecting past artworks with present-day interests.