Friday, April 27, 2012

Fishermen Returning through a Wintry Forest

Fishermen Returning through a Wintry Forest
by Tang Di
1338
ink and color on silk

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Quotable

"It is because the Divine Essence itself is Love and Wisdom, that all things in the universe have relation to good and truth; for everything that proceeds from love is called good, and everything that proceeds from wisdom is called truth." - Emanuel Swedenborg

Painting by William Hodges

A view of the Cape of Good Hope, taken on the Spot, from on board the Resolution, Capt. Cook
by William Hodges (1744-1797)


Friday, April 6, 2012

The Last Supper

The Last Supper 
13th century mosaic in the Basilica di San Marco in Venice by an unknown artist.

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Literature Pick #18

A Scientist Rises
by Desmond Winter Hall 
From the November 1932 issue of Astounding Stories, this is an imaginative work of science fiction from the pulp fiction era.

Friday, March 30, 2012

Saint Jerome in his Study

Saint Jerome in his Study
by Niccolò Antonio Colantonio

Colantonio was a mid-15th century Neapolitan artist, his works were influenced by both Iberian and Flemish art, notably Jan van Eyck.

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Magpies and Hare by Cui Bai

Magpies and Hare
by Cui Bai (11th century Chinese artist)
from 1061
ink and colors on silk (76.3 × 40.7 in.)

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Quotable

"A clear thought, a pure affection, a resolute act of a virtuous will, have a dignity of quite another kind, and far higher than accumulations of brick and granite and plaster and stucco, however cunningly put together." - William Ellery Channing

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Literature Pick #17

by Robert W. Haseltine
An entertaining science fiction short story from the May 1954 issue of Imagination.

Saturday, March 17, 2012

The Education of Achilles by James Barry

The Education of Achilles
by James Barry (1741-1806)
painted circa 1772

The painting shows the centaur Chiron teaching Achilles. Barry was born in Cork, Ireland and was one of the earliest Romantic painters working in Britain.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Literature Pick #16

by Green Peyton Wertenbaker
First published in the June 1926 issue of Amazing Stories, this is a masterful, evocative science fiction story about the last man on Earth.

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Quotable

"Do not consider any vice as trivial, and therefore practice it; do not consider any virtue as unimportant, and therefore neglect it." - Chinese maxim

Friday, March 9, 2012

Favorite Actress Showcase #4: Mena Suvari

Mena Suvari is among the most beautiful and talented actresses, she rose to fame in 1999 with two big hits, American Pie and American Beauty. Before that she had had small parts and guest spots in a number of movies and TV shows, including two episodes of Boy Meets World. She has appeared in many wonderful roles including Loser, Sugar & Spice, The Musketeer, Stuck, and guest starring roles in Psych and The Cape. Most recently she's been cast in a pilot for a comedy show titled Happy Valley and has returned to the American Pie movies with American Reunion.




Literature Pick #15

by William Hope Hodgson
Powerful, Evocative, Mysterious. First published in 1908, this is a true literary masterpiece of supernatural horror.

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Paintings of Caspar David Friedrich

The wanderer above the sea of fog

Chalk Cliffs on Rügen

Winter landscape with church

Mountain Landscape with Rainbow
Caspar David Friedrich (1774-1840) is among the greatest artists in history, his paintings show the power of Romantic art to evoke grandeur and awe by attesting to the sheer beauty and vastitude of nature.