NB! · Observations
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Art · Monarchies · Mores · People
The marriage of Maria Josephine of Savoy to the Count of Provence, the future Louis XVIII
Firstly, this is not the most popular portrait of Marie-Joséphine of Savoy, and the woman depicted in it is scarcely recognisable in her other portraits, where she appears as a pomaded slip of a thing in wigs and jewels. Secondly, what do we actually know of this Queen of
NB! · Observations
And a Word About the Weather
Art · Monarchies · Humour
Charles IX of Sweden wore a braid over his bald head and tried to seize Livonia
While Uncle Vasya plasters three strands of a witch's hair across his gleaming bald pate and captivates the ladies on the Metro with his manly charm, Charles IX of Sweden braids a plait over his bald skull and tries to seize Livonia. This is the style for when
Moscow · Museums · Observations · Heritage · Humour
Graffiti on the Museum of Contemporary Russian History facade and damage of 126,000 roubles
I hear on the Kultura news that vandals have defiled the façade of the Museum of Contemporary Russian History. I think: well, blimey! I watch the report, and what they show is a tiny bit of graffiti beside a mascaron of a disgruntled lion. Good heavens, what a desecration! The
Art · Mores · Humour
Egg with soldiers in Europe and in Gottfried von Wedig's still life of 1630
Jot down the recipe: the egg is left to stand briefly at room temperature, boiled in boiling water for 6 minutes and not a second longer, over a low heat at a gentle simmer, and served with salt and toast cut into thin strips. The dish is called egg and
NB! · Archaeology · Geography · Science · Nature
Incidentally, elephant dung is still found on the Alpine passes, and it is this that allows the route of Hannibal's fifteen-day advance to be pinned down more precisely
NB!
That Really Hurt
Archaeology · Museums · Observations · Heritage · Society
Debate over the sale of Caligula's ring and private ownership of artefacts
Meanwhile, I observe a debate flaring up over the sale of Caligula's ring, to the effect that such objects ought to belong to museums rather than to private persons. I simply cannot see what the quarrel is about, given that the piece at present belongs to a private
Coming Up · Aristocracy · Archaeology · Art · London
From 1 to 7 October the royal jewellers Wartski, at 60 St James's in London, will be showing a 2,000-year-old sky-blue ring of solid sapphire, which could go for over £500,000
From 1 to 7 October the royal jewellers Wartski, at 60 St James's in London, will be showing a 2,000-year-old sky-blue ring of solid sapphire, which could go for over £500,000. One of the most famous intaglios in the world is believed to
London · Observations · Pop Culture · Humour
Two Victorian dolls in the London Underground and a comparison with Moscow's metro
Victorian twin dolls take a ride on the London Underground. This is precisely the moment when one wants not only to cross oneself like an old crone with the words "Thank God it's not Moscow", but simply to scream: they are dreadful, frankly ghastly. Then again,
Art · Books · Monarchies · Observations
The 1852 Icelandic “Snow White”, Catherine II and Russian-Danish Relations
In an Icelandic retelling of "Snow White" published in 1852, with illustrations by Theodor Hosemann, the queen bears a striking resemblance to Catherine II. Well, a fine touch for Russo-Danish relations. Iceland at that time, as a result of the Danish-Norwegian union, formed part of Denmark.