Art · Paris · People
A magnificent desk in the style of Louis XV, not to be confused with Louis XIV. A model by François Linke (1855-1946). The desk is richly decorated with gilt bronze in the form of foliage, flowers and frames that pick out every line of the piece. On the front
NB! · Art · Observations
Leda and the Swan, artist from the circle of Leonardo da Vinci, before 1517. And not a crowd of tourists in sight
Art · Museums · Heritage · Saint Petersburg
The painting "Bacchus" by Peter Paul Rubens, held in the Hermitage, has been sent for restoration. The work will take about two years and is to be completed in time for the 450th anniversary of the artist's birth. The need for restoration is explained by the
Faith · Art · Monarchies · Paris · Saint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg, Imperial Glassworks, 1810s. Crystal, milk glass, diamond cut, painting, gilding. “On the day of Holy Easter, 29 March, in Paris, on the Place Louis XV, a service of thanksgiving to the Lord God was offered by the Russian clergy, in the presence of Emperor Alexander, the King of
Archive · Art · Pop Culture
A folder of drawings and sketches for the autumn-winter 1989-90 collection sold for 18 thousand euros at the Martin Margiela archive sale. The folder of 129 pages consists mainly of sketches with facsimile outlines and hand-drawn details, supplemented by files containing small facsimiles of designs and technical
NB! · Art · Moscow · Museums · Observations
Seeing this early nineteenth-century doll at the Museum of Moscow, I was reminded of the portrait of little Alexandra Tomilova holding a doll, from the collection of the Russian Museum. The artist is Alexander Varnek, 1825
Faith · Art · People
Albrecht Altdorfer. Samson and Delilah and the scissors with which she cut his hair. Note that the severed hair is only hinted at. Early sixteenth century. We see the legendary Samson still asleep or already drained of strength. Without the hair in which his might lay hidden, he cannot even
Art · Museums · People
"...Before whom amid the Chesme deeps The mass of ships blazed up, And Navarino fell for the first time." So Pushkin wrote of the victories in the Russo-Turkish war won by his great-uncle, Ivan Abramovich Gannibal (1735-1801), the eldest of the 11 children of Abram
Art · Humour
Mikhail Belomlinsky, Thank You for Your Purchase! 1975
Art · Moscow · Observations · People · Society Pages
Dmitry Bulnygin was the first contemporary artist in my collection. Known in the 2000s as a punk artist, Bulnygin, who went on to win recognition as a painter, sculptor, digital artist and videographer, seems to have had time to work in every medium. He even organised his own Ultra-Short
Art · Books · Humour
I had a dog, and I loved her, She ate a piece of meat, and I loved her; She peed on the rug, and I loved her; She chewed up my slippers, and I loved her… And I said to that dog: "You see, I put up with everything!
NB! · Art