NB! · Coming Up · Cinema · Books · Observations

At last we have lived to see the day when the names of Xavier Dolan, Vincent Lacoste, Cécile de France and HONORÉ DE BALZAC share a single poster

At last we have lived to see the day when the names of Xavier Dolan, Vincent Lacoste, Cécile de France and HONORÉ DE BALZAC share a single poster. This year sees the release of the screen adaptation of one of Balzac's most touching novels, Lost Illusions. Farewell, Elio

NB! · Art · Moscow · Observations · Humour

Almost Carel Fabritius

Almost Carel Fabritius. This is how one would like Moscow's housing-office art to look, but alas, this is a quite different cultural city.

NB! · Observations · People · Pop Culture

Mood this evening: Lee Radziwill at home

NB! · Observations

You Clever Old Thing

Aristocracy · In the Press · Monarchies · Observations · Society

Modern Romanovs and their claims to the Russian throne under pre-revolutionary law

The wedding of Georgy Mikhailovich Romanov has caused a great commotion, and waves of displeasure and outrage are still spreading across the windless surface of our infosphere. Characteristically, I have had messages from people among my acquaintances, even ones permitted to follow me on Insta, saying that all of us

Coming Up · Art · Moscow · Observations

The Gilyarovsky Foundation space on Stoleshnikov Lane has opened a pre-auction exhibition, One Woman and The Other; the auction itself will take place there on the evening of the 20th

The Gilyarovsky Foundation space on Stoleshnikov Lane has opened a pre-auction exhibition, One Woman and The Other; the auction itself will take place there on the evening of the 20th. As the title makes plain, the works are exclusively by women artists. We have already seen a few all-

NB! · Observations

and indeed

Archive · Geography · Maps · Books · Observations

1912 Guidebook to the Loire Châteaux for Motorists, with Route Arrows on Photographs

Forerunner of Yandex Maps: a slim 1912 tourist guide to the châteaux of the Loire, designed for motoring tourists, has arrows showing the route and the right turning drawn directly over photographs of the landscape. Despite the plainness of the views and the rather poor quality of the offset printing,

Cinema · Observations · Humour

Joaquin Phoenix and Jodie Comer to play Napoleon and Josephine in the film Kitbag

In the forthcoming 2023 film about Bonaparte's military career and rise to power, Kitbag, the 30-year-old Napoleon and the 36-year-old Josephine will be played by the 46-year-old Joaquin Phoenix and the 28-year-old Jodie Comer. Which means that either we shall

NB! · Monarchies · Observations · Pop Culture · Ethnography

It must be observed that Queen Margrethe II of Denmark wears national dress as no other European monarch can

It must be observed that Queen Margrethe II of Denmark wears national dress as no other European monarch can. Only Elizabeth II in the Balmoral tartan might rival her for the fashionable crown

Aristocracy · Cinema · Observations · Mores · Humour

The Duke of Bedford opened Woburn Abbey to the public with help from his wife Nicole

Supper at the Duchess of Bedford's. A familiar situation? When the hosts want a sumptuous table but have no wish to spend much on provisions, the richer service is brought out, and a few tomatoes and a mound of dried apricots are set in the middle of the

Inside the church: a painted dome with windows, a gilded openwork chandelier with candles and shafts of light falling on the wall frescoes.

Architecture · Faith · Moscow · Observations

Church of the Life-Giving Trinity in Vishnyaki on Pyatnitskaya Street, Moscow, built in 1815

How beautiful Russian churches are 💜. Church of the Life-Giving Trinity in Vishnyaki, Moscow, Pyatnitskaya Street. The Neoclassical building was erected in 1815