Architecture · Faith · Madrid · Monarchies · Observations · Humour

Crystal chandelier with an eagle, made in Milan in 1676, in the Escorial basilica

The Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial is one of the great creations of the Spanish Renaissance, built under Philip II as a royal residence, monastery and mausoleum of monarchs. In its basilica, beneath the vaults of the choir, an eagle crowns a crystal chandelier, spreading its wings over

NB! · Cinema · People

Bjorn Andresen has died, the subject of the film “The Most Beautiful Boy in the World”

The fate of Björn Andrésen, who has recently died at the age of 70, was a sad one. Do watch The Most Beautiful Boy in the World, the documentary about him made in 2021 by Kristina Lindström and Kristian Petri. A bitter story of a chain of errors made by

NB! · Art · Observations · Humour

A Good René Magritte Morning, Come What May

NB! · Books · Observations

As Heidegger says, we are close to losing the last spiritual powers that allow us to see the decline: the darkness, "the flight of the gods" and "the world's night"

Observations · Heritage · Paris · Humour

The Louvre robbery and the jewellery collection of French Culture Minister Rachida Dati

You know, I have always been fascinated by curious coincidences. Take, for instance, the robbery of the Louvre. Grand, bold, sweeping in scale! In places even funny, and tragicomic. They made off with the most precious treasures, bedecked with all manner of diamonds and sapphires. And France's Minister

Observations · Heritage · Society · Paris · Humour

Did one of the Louvre robbers lose a Russian passport?

It won't get any funnier than this. After the Minister of Culture praised the Director of the Louvre, and the Director of the Louvre praised the head of security, who, pray, can possibly be to blame for the robbery, if not the Russians? Certainly not some gang of

Art · Observations · Paris · Reportage

Art Basel Paris 2025 at the Grand Palais brought together over 200 galleries from 41 countries

Art Basel Week in Paris was so packed that only now am I taking stock. The fair ran from 24 to 26 October at the Grand Palais and neighbouring venues, gathering more than 200 galleries from 41 countries, with a fairly extensive parallel programme. Among the participants were the leading

Art · Paris

Modigliani sells for 27 million euros and Magritte for 10.7 million at Sotheby’s in Paris

Sotheby’s capitalise on the excitement of Art Basel Paris week and set a French sales record at their Surrealist and Modern art auctions. The most expensive lot was Amedeo Modigliani’s “Elvira. Bust” of 1918–19, sold for €27 million. This is a record price in France for a

Archive · Books · London · People · Humour

First poem by Agatha Christie, published when she was 14, found in the London newspaper Ealing and Hanwell Post of 8 July 1905

The poem, “Steam versus Electricity”, long remained unknown because Christie, in her memoirs, made a slip and stated that she had been 11 when she wrote it, rather than 14. The poem is devoted to the breakdown of electric trains. In jocular form it describes how a steam locomotive comes

Listings · Moscow · Coming Up · Art · Museums

Five Exhibitions in Moscow from Traugot's Graphic Art to the Era of Nicholas I

A new selection of Moscow exhibitions to visit this week. 📌 Exhibition of porcelain graphics and paintings by Alexander Traugot at the Île Thélème gallery, until 25 November 📌 Exhibition of diploma works by graduates of Moscow art colleges, “GRADUATION’25”, at the Zaryadye Parking Gallery, until 30 November 📌 Exhibition on Moscow&

Faith · Books · Mores

Bürger’s Ballad “Lenore” and Zhukovsky’s Adaptations “Lyudmila” and “Svetlana”

Frederick II's troops were returning home after the Battle of Prague in 1757. Young Lenore awaited her Wilhelm, but he was not among those who came back. Lenore's heart contracted with pain, and complaints against the will of God burst from her through her tears. When

NB! · Art · Cinema · Museums · Observations · Humour

Alexandr Radayev