Architecture · Faith · Art · Museums · Humour
Saint Michael the Archangel of Brussels. The statue recalls the works of Tsereteli, but this is another creator: Martin Van Rode, who lived in the fifteenth century. The Archangel with the dragon crowned the 96-metre spire of the town hall. Michael is made of copper sheets, which have oxidised
NB! · Art · Observations · Humour
Such faience is a purely Brussels trade. Looking at these sweet chicks, I want to become a vegetarian
Observations · Humour
Recognised them all, comrades?
NB! · Museums · Mores · Humour
Aww! If you think fashion was once plain and monotonous, these ladies' handbags in the shape of frogs from the seventeenth century will persuade you otherwise. Ribbit-ribbit
Art · Monarchies · People · Humour
The Old Man Overstayed His Welcome. Eugène Delacroix, 1855. The painting shows the fifteenth-century Venetian Doge Francesco Foscari, who ruled longer than any other doge: 34 years. Foscari had a most interesting biography, but the choicest episode is this: by then he had become so thoroughly sick to death
Art · Observations · Science · Humour
An engraving of 1646 depicts Prudence (left) and Boldness (right). Besides the ideals of medical practice, the engraving conveys the two principal medical trades of its day: the apothecary's art, with a physician giving medicine to a patient in bed, and surgery, with a surgeon amputating the leg
Monarchies · Museums · Mores · Paris · Humour
Edward VII (1841-1910) had a special chair for amorous pursuits. Renowned for his unbridled appetites and colourful sexual adventures, the king preferred a particular contraption for comfortable lovemaking with two partners at once. A similar couch is on display at the Sex Machines Museum in Prague, together with a
Architecture · In the Press · Heritage · Pop Culture · Humour
Russian Vogue writes rapturously about the Dolce&Gabbana Alta Moda show in Sicily. Only the authors, it seems, see no difference between the Pantheon and the Parthenon, which did not prevent them from titling one of their themed pieces "A Lesson in Art History"! Alas, it is
Observations · Mores · Pop Culture · Humour
Caesar led the Gauls in triumph, then Caesar led the Gauls into the Senate; they took off their trousers and put on the toga with the purple border. The menswear part of the Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda AW 2019/20 show recalls the Roman proverb about the Gauls. The
NB! · Art · Monarchies · Mores · Humour
The bed made for Napoleon and Josephine in 1805 rather hints that it is time to retire. Napoleon was, in general, a lover of luxury, and the style owes much of its subsequent popularity precisely to the emperor's fondness for it
Cinema · Observations · Pop Culture · Humour
What are my plans for the near future? To move into Downton Abbey in The Sims and restore the Dowager Countess of Grantham to her former glory, make Lady Mary's disgrace public, and arrange Henry Talbot's personal life. True, I shall have to shell out for
NB! · Observations · Humour
In principle, there are several more candidates for the role of the mermaid. What say you?