Art websites, from this week's "Internet Scout Report"

The Renaissance Connection, from the Allentown Art Museum: Using 37 pieces selected from its Samuel H. Kress and European Art Collections, the Allentown Art Museum has created this sometimes silly, but consistently appealing introduction to the art, thought, and society of theRenaissance period in Europe. Start with the Art Explorer section to view works arranged on a timeline, map, or alphabetically, from Andrea del Sarto "Madonna and Child," ca. 1510 to Heinrich Yselin "Saint Margaret with the Dragon," ca. 1478. Individual images are linked to the site's six thematic sections - Quest for Knowledge, Arts and Architecture, Patrons and Lifestyles, Everyday Life, Trade and Exploration, Science and Technology. For example, selecting Hans Maler's "Portrait of Anton Fugger" paintedin 1525, links to the Patrons and Lifestyles section, where you can discoverthat Anton Fugger was a member of one of the richest families in Europe. A Maler portrait of Ulrich Fugger, painted the same year and now housed at theMetropolitan Museum of Art, is also included on the site, as well as an image of Jakob Fugger, a wealthy banker. Although geared to middle school students, "The Renaissance Connection" will be fun for all ages.

What the hay?? "Hay in Art: To be quite honest, a great deal happens around hay, whether it be in the realm of landscape painting or the more salacious encounters one may find in risqué novels of the 19th century. Of course, if you were Alan Ritch, the creator of this rather intriguing website, you would probably confine yourself to the rather broad world of hay as it appears in various artistic endeavors, ranging from paintings to poetry. Visitors seeking some background on this rather novel field of inquiry might wish to begin by reading one of Ritch’s background essays, which include 'Resting in the hay, 1592-1900', 'Introduction to the poetry of hay', and 'Montana wedding bales'. Even the more casual visitor should not miss the area dedicated to hay poems of the late twentieth century, which includes such works as John Kinsella’s 'Wrapping the Hay' and Tom Montag’s visually arresting 'Making Hay'. One thing is most certain: Visitors will most likely find themselves increasingly enjoying the nuances of hay after looking through the images and poems offered on this site."