Burgundy Baron's Blog

Quotable

2012-02-24T05:23:00.000-05:00

"They who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night."
Edgar Allan Poe - Eleonora (1841)

Orion the Hunter

2012-02-22T12:29:00.003-05:00

Orion the Hunter

from Leiden Aratea
by an unknown artist

Leiden Aratea is a 9th century AD illuminated copy of an astronomical treatise by Germanicus, who based his work on Phaenomena, an ancient Greek poem about the constellations written by Aratus, who himself based his work on a lost work by Eudoxus of Cnidus, a student of Plato.

Literature Pick #13

2012-02-14T07:49:00.001-05:00

The Sky Trap

by Frank Belknap Long (1901-1994)

From the July 1941 issue of Comet, this is a wonderfully imaginative and exciting work of science fiction.

Favorite Actress Showcase #3: Danielle Fishel

2012-02-13T20:54:00.012-05:00

Danielle Fishel played Topanga Lawrence on Boy Meets World, one of the greatest television shows ever made. More recently she has been the host of The Dish on the Style network, a channel I don't even have, luckily there're clips of the show on Youtube. The show is like The Soup but with a much hotter host. Danielle is stunningly beautiful and should be getting way better acting roles.

Deer Among Red-leaved Maple Trees

2012-02-12T06:18:00.001-05:00

Deer Among Red-leaved Maple Trees
by an unknown artist
10th century Chinese painting - ink and colors on silk.

Jean-Honoré Fragonard art

2012-02-10T06:25:00.000-05:00

Rinaldo in the garden of Armida

by Jean-Honoré Fragonard

This painting is based on Torquato Tasso's epic poem Jerusalem Delivered. Fragonard (1732-1806) was a French Rococo artist, he painted this work circa 1763.

Literature Pick #12

2012-02-10T05:52:00.000-05:00

The Talkative Tree

by Horace Brown Fyfe
From the January 1962 issue of Worlds of If, this is an imaginative science fiction story.

Literature Pick #11

2012-02-04T04:14:00.000-05:00

The Delegate from Venus

by Henry Slesar

A brilliant science fiction short story first published in the October 1958 issue of Amazing Science Fiction Stories.

Mountain landscape by Paul Bril

2012-02-04T03:52:00.005-05:00

Mountain landscape by Paul Bril

Bril was born in Antwerp in 1554 and was a noted painter of landscapes and Capriccio art (works depicting fantastical architectural scenes). His brother Matthijs was also a well-known artist. This work is oil on copper and painted in the 1590's, the size is 4.6 × 6.9 inches.

Literature Pick #10

2012-02-01T21:31:00.003-05:00

The Attendant's Confession

by Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis (1839-1908), from Brazilian Tales

A masterful short story written by one of Brazil's greatest literary masters.

The Top Ten TV Shows To Premiere in the 90's

2012-02-01T16:51:00.005-05:00

      Here is my list of what could be the best shows to begin their life in the 1990's.
      Of Course, this is only my opinion.

1. Home Improvement (1991-1999)
      The best show to premiere in the 90's is this one. Chronicling the life of an accident prone local TV tool show host and his wife, three sons, and quirky friends.

2. Futurama (1999-present)
      Matt Groening's humorous retro-futuristic story of a man accidently frozen in 1999 and reawakened in the year 3000.

3. Boy Meets World (1993-2000)
      A show about Cory Matthews and his family, friends, and teacher/principal Mr. Feeny.

4. King of the Hill (1997-2010)
      The story of an honest but uptight man named Hank Hill and his egotistical wife Peggy, unathletic comedy loving son Bobby, and their wacky cast of friends. Set in a small Texas town.

5. NewsRadio (1995-1999)
      An office full of eccentric, quirky characters made for constant hilarity.

6. Star Trek: Voyager (1995-2001)
      A Starfleet crew and a Maquis crew are thrown far from earth and must make their way back home together.

7. Sabrina, the Teenage Witch (1996-2003)
      The story of girl who frequently deals with typical problems by using her magic and having her spells comically backfire.

8. Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)
      Joss Whedon's show about a girl who secretly was chosen to save the world from vampires and demons and all sorts of supernatural threats.

9. Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (1993-1997)
      Another version of the Superman comic book character.

10. 3rd Rock from the Sun (1996-2001)
      Four aliens come to explore earth while trying (though not always succeeding) to pretend to be an average American family.

Quotable

2012-01-29T15:13:00.000-05:00

"We comprehend the earth only when we have known heaven. Without the spiritual world the material world is a disheartening enigma." - Joseph Joubert

Carl Wagner Painting

2012-01-27T02:00:00.001-05:00

A Moonlit Night

by Carl Wagner 1796-1867

A wondrous example of Romantic art painted in 1820 with oil on canvas.

Literature Pick #9

2012-01-25T22:57:00.000-05:00

The First Men in the Moon
by H. G. Wells
First published in 1901, this is one of Wells' best works and a masterpiece of science fiction.

John Atkinson Grimshaw

2012-01-24T03:59:00.000-05:00

In Peril by John Atkinson Grimshaw from 1879. Grimshaw (September 6, 1836 – October 13, 1893) was born in Leeds, England; he was primarily influenced by Pre-Raphaelite art.

Favorite Actress Showcase #2: Danica McKellar

2012-01-24T03:19:00.004-05:00

From her stint as a beloved Teen Idol on the Wonder Years to becoming a Math Whiz Danica McKellar has enthralled us all. She continues to act with guest starring roles on How I Met Your Mother, The Big Bang Theory, NCIS, King of the Hill as well as a recurring role on The West Wing, she also lends her voice to a number of cartoons. She is truly the total package with both beauty and intelligence.

Literature Pick #8

2012-01-18T15:18:00.003-05:00

The Crystal Crypt

by Philip K. Dick

An early science fiction short story from one of that genre's legends. First published in the January 1954 issue of Planet Stories.

Medieval Illumination

2012-01-17T16:44:00.000-05:00

Illumination from the Gospel Book of Otto III, circa 1000 A.D. - by an unknown miniaturist whose work comes from the Trier, Germany area.

Marriage of Psyche

2012-01-17T04:08:00.000-05:00

Marriage of Psyche is a song I wrote which was inspired by the mysterious and beautiful myth of Cupid and Psyche.

Auspicious Cranes by Huizong of Song

2012-01-15T17:48:00.002-05:00

Auspicious Cranes by Huizong of Song (1082–1135) from 1112

Huizong of Song was the eighth Emperor of the Song dynasty and was highly skilled at art, poetry, calligraphy, and music.

Coppo Di Marcovaldo painting

2012-01-11T13:30:00.000-05:00

Madonna and Child by Coppo Di Marcovaldo (circa 1265)

Literature Pick #7

2012-01-06T20:23:00.000-05:00

Strange Stories from the Lodge of Leisures
by Pu Songling (1640-1715), translated by George Soulié
A collection of short stories based on supernatural folk tales. In this edition from 1913 French translator George Soulié has chosen 25 tales from Pu Songling's collection of over 300 stories.

Francesco Guardi Painting

2011-12-31T16:04:00.000-05:00

Painting from the Church dell'Agnello Raffaele in Venice for the story of Tobias.
Scene: Tobias while fishing with the archangel Raphael.

The Vigilia di San Pietro by Canaletto

2011-12-20T10:02:00.001-05:00

Canaletto was one of the greatest painters ever, he was born in Venice and painted numerous works of his beautiful hometown. This superb work of art is of the Church of San Pietro di Castello in Venice.

Waiting for Guests by Lamplight by Ma Lin

2011-12-14T13:22:00.000-05:00

Painted circa 1250 during the Song Dynasty with ink and colors on silk.

Literature Pick #6

2011-12-07T15:47:00.001-05:00

The Ivy Cottage Mystery

by Arthur Morrison from Chronicles of Martin Hewitt

This is a brilliantly written detective story in the style of Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes.

Aert van der Neer painting

2011-12-07T15:35:00.000-05:00

View by Moonlight by Aert van der Neer (1645)

Favorite Actress Showcase #1: Christine Lakin

2011-12-06T23:59:00.002-05:00

I've been a fan of Lakin since I was 12 years old watching her on Step by Step, her talent and beauty were abundant. Since her masterful work as the tomboyish Al Lambert on the aforementioned sitcom since she's been busy acting in many other roles, including guest spots on 3rd Rock from the Sun, Touched by an Angel, CSI: Miami, Bones, NCIS, Melissa & Joey, and she has a recurring role as Joyce Kinney on Family Guy. Plus she's been in a couple movies that star the legendary Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, and every movie The Rock makes is good. From the pictures in this post it's obvious to all that she also happens to be one of the world's best gorgeous woman.

Quotable

2011-12-06T20:10:00.000-05:00

"Do not think that what is hard for you to master is humanly impossible; but if a thing is humanly possible, consider it to be within your reach." - Marcus Aurelius

Winter in Switzerland

2011-12-01T23:10:00.000-05:00

Winter in Switzerland by Jasper Francis Cropsey (1823–1900)

A beautiful painting from the brilliant Hudson River School artist, this is a powerful awe-inspiring work of art.

Thomas Moran Painting

2011-11-25T16:37:00.001-05:00

Thomas Moran - my absolute favorite artist - here painted a wondrous, awe-invoking painting of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.

Ghost by Ingrid Michaelson

2011-11-24T22:47:00.001-05:00

I absolutely love the music of Ingrid Michaelson, I've been moved by every song of hers I've ever heard. Her music evokes emotion from both the beautiful melodies and her honest, personal lyrics. Ingrid's latest video is for the song Ghost, a song that is truly wonderful, with a video that is superbly done and really underscores the openhearted meaning of the lyrics.

Literature Pick #5

2011-11-20T07:31:00.001-05:00

The Great Dome on Mercury
by Arthur Leo Zagat
From the April 1932 issue of Astounding Stories, this is a classic and exciting science fiction story from a prolific pulp fiction author.

Étretat by George Inness (1875)

2011-11-16T16:59:00.002-05:00

George Inness is one of the true masters of American art and of the Tonalism style. Étretat, painted in 1875, shows off the sheer beauty of his artistic genius.

Literature Pick #4

2011-11-16T16:39:00.001-05:00

Mystery of the Yellow Room

by Gaston Leroux (1907)

A brilliant detective novel by the author of The Phantom of the Opera. This book truly demonstrates why Leroux should be known as one of the premier authors of the mystery genre.

Konrad Witz Painting

2011-11-09T02:46:00.000-05:00

King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba by Konrad Witz (1435)

Quotable

2011-11-07T23:23:00.000-05:00

"If the stars should appear one night in a thousand years, how would men believe and adore, and preserve for many generations the remembrance of the city of God which had been shown! But every night come out these envoys of beauty, and light the universe with their admonishing smile." - Ralph Waldo Emerson - Nature

Literature pick #3

2011-11-07T23:17:00.002-05:00

Out of the Fog by C. K. Ober
The true story of a man's adventures at sea, his childhood in a 19th century New England fishing town, and his discovery of his faith.

Jan Goraj Painting

2011-11-04T13:19:00.000-04:00

Support to impoverished merchant. by Jan Goraj (circa 1502-1504, Poland)

Notes From Wikimedia Commons

Painting from the Polyptych of St. John the Merciful, painted for the St. Catherine's Church in Kraków. Founded by Mikołaj of Brzezie Lanckoroński.

Literature Pick #2

2011-11-04T13:00:00.000-04:00

The Haunted Sentry Box of Porto Rico by Lewis Miller - a fantastic short story published in 1916.

The Book of Hunting

2011-11-01T05:05:00.002-04:00

The Book of Hunting by Gaston Phoebus - 15^th century artwork.

Quotable

2011-10-28T16:30:00.001-04:00

"They are ill discoverers that think there is no land, when they can see nothing but sea." - Francis Bacon

Literature Pick #1

2011-10-28T05:41:00.003-04:00

In the Orbit of Saturn by Roman Frederick Starzl

Published in the October 1931 issue of Astounding Stories. This is pure, exciting science fiction from the era of pulp fiction.

The Course of Empire - Destruction by Thomas Cole (1836)

2011-10-28T02:39:00.011-04:00

The Hudson River School, an American variant of Romanticism, is perhaps my favorite style of painting. Thomas Cole was the father of the art form and The Course of Empire series is some of Cole's finest work.