On this day in 1839, Modest Mussorgsky was born—a chaotic genius whose raw, rule-breaking music still hits like nothing else. He’s also the subject of an upcoming journal piece of mine (more on that soon). #OnThisDay #Mussorgsky #ClassicalMusic #PettyIcons #ComingSoon #TheMessThatMadeThem

Henri Matisse, Sketch for Le Bonheur de vivre (The Joy of Life), 1905-6; collection SFMOMA, bequest of Elise S. Haas; © Succession H. Matisse, Paris / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York; photo: Ben Blackwell

Art feud of the day:
Picasso vs. Matisse. Matisse led with bold color; Picasso answered with Cubism that basically screamed “Matisse who?” Matisse clapped back with a shady gift. Picasso hung a Matisse painting—in his bathroom. #ArtHistory #PettyIcons #Frenemies #CubismVsFauvism

The Enigma of William Tell, 1933 by Salvador Dali

Art feud of the day:
Dalí vs. Breton. Breton booted Dalí from Surrealism and nicknamed him “Avida Dollars” for chasing fame and cash. Dalí fired back with a painting of Lenin’s butt and a collage of Breton’s face on a bidet. High art. Petty energy. #ArtHistory #SurrealistDrama #PettyIcons