Observations · Society · People · Humour
Yesterday I read, in the writings of a certain expert, that Napoleon was a black African, since he was born in Corsica. I do not know whom such insinuations serve, but if one genuinely wishes to find black men in the ranks of Napoleon's army, one should look
Aristocracy · Faith · Monarchies · Moscow · Observations · Society Pages
I know three days have already passed, but I cannot help sharing this little gem from the christening of Georgy Mikhailovich Romanov's heir, Prince Alexander, in the Transfiguration Church of the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. The boy was born on 21 October and named after his great-
Art · Observations · Mores
May the appearance of these two gentlemen of 1782, painted and gaudily dressed, help everyone who sees them to grow accustomed to the thought that notions of beauty in the past can be every bit as surprising, even shocking, as notions of beauty in the future. Every age has its
Museums · Observations · People · Rome · Humour
Can you picture this horror in place of the face of so soulful and refined a Byron? The poet wore this frightening mask to a carnival in February 1820. It once had hair and a beard, which have not survived to our day, though they probably lent some small adornment
NB! · Observations · Humour
Art · Observations · Humour
I will say: MADAM, RESPECT THE LABOUR OF CLEANERS
Architecture · Observations · Heritage · Society
Not for nothing did I admire the Nizhny Novgorod Pakgauzy: by the end of the year they had won two prestigious awards at once. The first: Creative Space at the Russian Creative Awards, where they outstripped both Sevkabel Port and the Oktava cluster. The second: the Snob "Made in
Faith · Art · Observations · Ethnography
The Madonna delle Milizie from the church in the comune of Scicli is a unique representation of the Mother of God as a horsewoman on a white steed. According to legend, it was the Madonna herself, appearing in a radiant cloud on horseback, who saved Sicily from capture by the
Aristocracy · Museums · Observations
You can recognise an archer's ring by this characteristic shape: it is worn on the thumb to protect it from damage by the bowstring. The design of this ring from the British Museum's collection strongly reminded me of the newly fashionable rings inscribed "Save and
Faith · Observations · Mores
Francis of Assisi has a tale of how he struck a bargain with a ferocious wolf. Francis was displeased that the wolf preyed not only on animals but also made attempts on people, who bear the image of God. And so the medieval saint proposed a pact to the wolf:
Coming Up · Art · Books · Observations
NonFic is approaching, so I want to share some of the books recently sent to me for review that are worth hunting out at the fair's stands. 1. "A Little History of the World" by Ernst Gombrich. For people of any age who would like to
NB! · Books · Observations · Education · Humour