Cinema · Observations · People · Humour

Abel Gance’s 1927 silent film “Napoleon” and its departures from history

The French pioneering film epic "Napoléon" of 1927 is an unrecognised masterpiece of silent cinema. Perhaps the film would be better known if it did not run for five hours, and if it bore at least some resemblance to historical fact. The picture is so far removed from

NB! · Humour

Forgive me, of course, but are you sure these are cosmetic snails?

Black-and-white engraving of a man bending over a flock of sheep gathered inside a net enclosure, with hills behind.

NB! · Observations · Ethnography · Humour

A man with sheep beside a net in an engraving and the work of July

July is not only the time for making hay but also for shearing sheep, that much is understood. But can anyone explain what is going on here?

Art · Observations · Pop Culture · Humour

Marble bust of Antinous as Dionysus and Osiris appeared at Sotheby's in June

How can you tell that Antinous is in the guise of Dionysus and Osiris? Look at the hair. It is swept up towards the forehead and gathered beneath a diadem, with ivy leaves and berries woven into it and heavy bunches of grapes at the temples. A splendid headdress, the

NB! · Art · Observations · Humour

My first thought on seeing the 1754 portrait of Abbé Jacques Pernetti: good heavens, did Jean-Étienne Liotard paint Bridget Jones's father?

Coloured print “Too Much and Too Little”: a lady in an ornate gown with a ruff faces a lady in a light, sheer dress with a feather in her hair.

NB! · Observations · Mores · Humour

British caricature compares summer clothing of 1556 and 1796

A summer outfit of 1796 against a summer outfit of 1556: quite a comparison, to be sure. But what would these ladies say on seeing a summer outfit of 2019?

Aristocracy · Monarchies · Observations · Humour

The Duke of Hamilton, keeper of the Crown of Scotland, escorts it to Edinburgh Castle

What is going on, and where has the crown gone with a stranger? A most curious scene: the 16th Duke of Hamilton, Alexander Douglas Douglas-Hamilton, aged 40, is escorting the Crown of Scotland to Edinburgh Castle. The Hamiltons have been hereditary keepers of the royal crown since the 16th

Monarchies · Observations · Mores · Humour

Charlemagne and the Legends of the Origin of Corton Charlemagne White Wine

Today there is cause for a drink: 20,000 subscribers! So I find myself in the modest company of a Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru. This wine is sometimes called the great white wine of Burgundy, and not without reason. After the victory over the Saracens in 732, the grandfather of

Archaeology · Science · Palaeontology · Humour

Skeleton of a giant found in Dauphiné in 1613 proved to be the bones of a Deinotherium

In 1613, the skeleton of a giant was discovered in the French province of Dauphiné. The coins found in the burial and the inscription Teutobochus Rex indicated that this was the grave of the Teutonic chieftain Teutobod, famed for his colossal size. True, when the Christian theologian of the 5th

Museums · Mores · Humour

Norwegian Technical Museum first described a metal belt as a pregnancy support belt

This "anti-masturbation" belt was designed for long-term wear; there are holes at the back for adjusting the size, though the size is in principle that of an adolescent, not an adult. The openings at the front allow for the natural functions of the body. The metal

Museums · Mores · Humour

Late 19th century anti-masturbation belt with a tricky lock and leather lining

This is what a genuine anti-masturbation belt of the late nineteenth century looks like. Well worn, of course, the little thing has seen better days. The metal base of the belt is mounted on a leather lining for ease of wear. As you can see, it is fitted with

Archive · Science · Humour

Homunculus in a spermatozoon in a 1695 drawing and the first microscopic observations of sperm

This drawing of 1695 shows a spermatozoon. Inside the spermatozoon, in case you did not know, sits a little man, who makes his way into the womb and begins to grow until he becomes an infant. So, at any rate, the mathematician Nicolaas Hartsoeker saw it, peering at semen through