The East · Geography · Maps · Nature

Topographic map of Asia shows why Tibet is called the Roof of the World

A topographical map of Asia. A graphic answer to the question of why Tibet is called the Roof of the World: the average height of its territory is 4,000 m above sea level, and it is the largest mountain system by area. A mountain system on the continent. The

Seen from above, a man in a bull's hide reclines on stone paving, while a man with a chain and a blade in his teeth looks out from behind a stone parapet at right.

Art · Observations

“Theseus and the Minotaur”, a 2021 painting by Scottish artist Paul Reid

A monster indeed. Quite a dreadful picture. Theseus and the Minotaur by the contemporary Scottish artist Paul Reid, 2021

NB! · Art · Museums · New York

King Arthur, tapestry of 1385, collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Art · Books

Gavriil Derzhavin wrote “Anacreon by the Stove” in 1795 about Maria, her harp and Cupid

Should Anacreon chance To visit Maria, Between them Cupid Would flit like a butterfly. The winged godling flew Around the beauty, And fitted his feathered arrows To his bow. He shot from her heavenly And blue eyes, And from the roses on her charming lips, And from the lilies on

NB! · Faith · Art

The Immaculate Conception, Francesco de Mura, 1720

NB! · Archive · Cinema · Pop Culture

Gary Oldman as the young Dracula, 1992, photograph by Herb Ritts

NB! · Art

Andrew Wyeth, “747”, 1980

NB! · Architecture · Art · Museums · People

The House-Museum of the Artist and Inventor Mariano Fortuny y Madrazo (1871-1949) in Venice

Vaulted hall with a ceiling painted as interlacing branches and leaves, with two blue inscribed plaques. Fragmentary wall painting, two dark arched doorways, stone-tiled floor.

NB!

Sala delle Asse in Sforza Castle, Milan: vault painted with tree canopy

Painted ceiling of dense foliage with a coat of arms at the centre and four blue inscribed tablets on the sides.

Art · Observations · Heritage

Preserving masterpieces and the risk posed by any intervention

Milan city council reported to have approved restoration of the Sala delle Asse in the Sforza Castle, with its ceiling frescoes by Leonardo da Vinci, for early 2025. News of this sort always induces a certain unease. It is understood that masterpieces require upkeep, but any intervention may prove fatal

NB! · Art · Museums · Paris

Alexander Calder's mobile, or kinetic sculpture, entitled France Forever, with the Cross of Lorraine, the tricolour and the black cloud of fascism

Alexander Calder's mobile, or kinetic sculpture, entitled France Forever, with the Cross of Lorraine, the tricolour and the black cloud of fascism. The work was made in 1942 and acquired by the French Musée de l'Armée in 2020 for 6 million euros

NB! · Architecture · Art

Alexandr Radayev