NB! · Archive · In the Press · London · Society · People · Humour

You Must Put Up With Her for Another Five Years

You must put up with her for another five years. The front-page headline of the Daily Mirror after Margaret Thatcher was elected for a third term as Prime Minister in 1987. The forecast, incidentally, proved wrong: the Iron Lady resigned in 1990

NB! · Faith · Society · People · Rome

So that the condition of Pope Francis's knee should not worsen, the pontiff has, on his doctors' insistence, postponed the apostolic journey to Africa planned for July

NB! · Archive · People · Humour

The 40th President of the United States, Ronald Reagan, in Tracksuit Bottoms and Dress Shoes Aboard the Presidential Aircraft in 1984

Art · Monarchies · Mores · People

In some portraits of Napoleon's sister Pauline Bonaparte, known as one of the three crowned courtesans, Pauline has short hair

In some portraits of Napoleon's sister Pauline Bonaparte, known as one of the three crowned courtesans, Pauline has short hair. In this portrait by Robert Lefèvre, attention is drawn to an unusual headdress: brocade ribbons adorn Pauline's closely cropped head. The story of Pauline's

Cinema · Books · People · Ethnography

I learned that I have an enormous family: the path and the little wood, and in the field every ear of corn!

Я узнал, что у меня Есть огромная семья: И тропинка, и лесок, В поле – каждый колосок! Речка, небо голубое – Это все мое, родное. Это Родина моя! Всех люблю на свете я! Literal translation I learned that I have An enormous family: Both the path and the little wood, In the

A man in a dark cloak with slicked-back hair points at the viewer, with fangs visible in his mouth.

NB! · Cinema · People

Seven years since the death of Christopher Lee, who played Dracula and Saruman

If villainous charisma exists, its embodiment is Christopher Lee. Dracula and Saruman in one person. The actor who played the great antagonists of world cinema would have celebrated his centenary this year, but alas, today marks seven years since his death

NB! · Science · Society · People · Humour

Isaac Newton Breaks Russian Law by Investigating the Dispersion of Light

Elderly Henri Matisse in glasses sits in bed working with coloured paper, with a row of drawn faces on the wall above him.

NB! · Archive · Art · People

Henri Matisse, paralysed in 1950, kept working from his bed until his death

Henri Matisse at work in bed. In 1950 the artist was paralysed and could no longer walk, but he did not cease to create until his death

NB! · Archive · People · Pop Culture

Audrey Hepburn in Hubert de Givenchy's salon, wearing Givenchy

NB! · Monarchies · People · Nature · Humour

Peter I owned a horse called Lisette and a smooth-haired terrier called Lisette, and his imagination, it seems, did not stretch to names

NB! · Monarchies · Observations · People

When I think of Elizabeth II, I picture not a granny in pastel-coloured hats, but a resolute queen in military uniform on horseback at a parade in 1981

When I think of Elizabeth II, I picture not a granny in pastel-coloured hats, but a resolute queen in military uniform on horseback at a parade in 1981. Incidentally, she rides side-saddle

NB! · London · Monarchies · People