When you look really closely and analyze a painting, you soon realize that the base component of every work of art, be it the Mona Lisa or Starry Night, is color. In this way, art becomes an investigation, a scientific analysis.
This is the process you are invited to immerse yourself in when you look at the elaborate collages of Michael Mapes, an artist from Hudson Valley. The collages Mapes creates look like shelves crowded with tiny scientific specimens: scraps of fabric, glass vials, hair, herbarium, and colorful beads. Together, these seemingly unrelated objects form beautiful portraits and still lifes inspired by classical art.
Marvel at Michael Mapes’ intricate collages below, and visit his Website and Instagram page to view more of his works.

You’ll Never Guess What These Portraits Are Made Of!
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10 Life-Changing Books That You Really Must Read!
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James Earl Jones: The Booming Voice We All Loved
A tribute to the booming voice of James Earl Jones, now departed.
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You Have Never Heard Drums Played This Beautifully Before
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This Boy’s Story and Violin Skills Will Bring You to Tears
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If You Like Clint Eastwood, You'll Love This Performance
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Watch This Child Prodigy Play a Sublime Vivaldi
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Watch André Rieu’s Stunning Musical Moment
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This Performance Won't Fail to Leave You Smiling!
What a stunning and exciting instrumental performance!
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This Choir's Rendition of Ave Maria Melted My Heart
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This Adorable 5 Year Old Plays the Piano Like a Virtuoso
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One of the Most Beautiful Sounds You Have Ever Heard
This performance of exquisite musical beauty blew away a cynical audience. First the musician pulls out an odd instrument, then he starts to play ...
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History’s 7 Most Influential Watercolor Artists
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‘My Heart Will Go On’ by This Violinist Will Amaze You!
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Have you ever seen spring-themed buttercream creations as beautiful as these?
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15 Incredible Paintings That Every Art Lover Must Know...
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These Acrobats Are On a New Level!
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Incredible Art - These Are NOT Pencil Drawings!
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3:13
Eden Choi's Magic Act is Hard to Believe!
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3:48
This is Both a Beautiful Song and a Cultural Icon
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The Bolshoi Ballet Group Have Done It Again!
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These Gorgeous Glass Terrariums Have Entire Worlds in Them
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5:15
Andre Rieu Stirs Our Emotions With his Tribute to Sinatra!
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14:46
This Stunning Performance Brings US History to Life
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These Mind-Boggling Sculptures Can Appear and Disappear!
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As perfect as these works of art are, inaccuracies (be they intentional or not) have been noted.
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