Author Archives: corvusfugit

1907: The Boat of the Ideal

Posted on September 17, 2019 by corvusfugit

Constant Montald: The Boat of the Ideal (1907)

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged 1900's, 20th Century, Art, Belgium, Constant Montald, Painting, Ships & Sailing, Trees | Leave a comment

1673: Life Being So Short and Books So Plentiful

Posted on September 15, 2019 by corvusfugit

In 1673, Antonio Magliabechi became librarian to Cosimo III de’ Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany. He was an eruidite scholar, fluent in Latin, Greek and Hebrew, and—according to his contemporary and biographer Giacinto Gimma—versed in physics, mathematics, rhetoric, grammar, history, … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged 17th Century, 18th Century, Antonio Magliabechi, Antonio Montauti, Books, Italy, Libraries, Memory, Portraits, Sculpture | Leave a comment

1865: O Roaches!

Posted on September 14, 2019 by corvusfugit

A quite common superstitious practice, in order to rid a house of Cockroaches, is in vogue in our country at the present time. It is no other than to address these pests a written letter containing the following words, or … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged 1850's, 19th Century, Animals, Books, Cockroaches, Folktales, Insects, Letters, Stamps, USA | 2 Comments

1946: Beauty and the Beast

Posted on September 13, 2019 by corvusfugit

Jean Cocteau, director: La Belle et la Bête (1946)

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged 1940's, 20th Century, Art, Fairy Tales, Film, France, Jean Cocteau, Jean Marais, Josette Day, Monsters | Leave a comment

1947: Iridescence

Posted on September 12, 2019 by corvusfugit

Andrey Avinoff: Iridescence (1925-1947) The entomologist Andrey Avinoff emigrated from Russia to the USA after the revolution and worked at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History for 20 years, eventually becoming its director. He turned to painting only later in … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged 1920's, 1940's, 20th Century, Andrey Avinoff, Animals, Art, Butterflies, Drawing, Flowers, Insects, LGBTQ, Painting, Russia, Soviet Union, USA | Leave a comment

1910: Fifth Avenue at Twilight

Posted on September 11, 2019 by corvusfugit

Birge Harrison: Fifth Avenue at Twilight (ca. 1910)

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged 1910's, 20th Century, Art, Birge Harrison, Cityscapes, New York City, Painting, USA | Leave a comment

1893: Marine

Posted on September 9, 2019 by corvusfugit

Nils Hansteen: Marine (1893)

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged 1890's, 19th Century, Art, Nils Hansteen, Norway, Painting, Seascapes, Ships & Sailing | Leave a comment

1865: The Storm Cloud

Posted on September 8, 2019 by corvusfugit

Félix Bracquemond: The Storm Cloud (1860-1870)

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged 1860's, 19th Century, Animals, Art, Birds, Félix Bracquemond, France, Geese, Printmaking, The Sky, Weather | Leave a comment

1929: ’ixtˈ

Posted on September 7, 2019 by corvusfugit

Every Tlingit clan in every major village was supposed to have its own shaman (’ixtˈ), who might also be a clan or house chief, uniting supernatural power with economic and ceremonial leadership….The functions of the shaman were several. He fought … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged 1920's, 20th Century, Art, Canada, Magic, Native Americans, Sculpture, Shamanism, Tlingit, Women | Leave a comment

1792: Name Your Weapons

Posted on September 7, 2019 by corvusfugit

One afternoon in 1792, Lady Almeria Braddock and a certain Mrs. Elphinstone were having tea when the following exchange occurred: Mrs Elphinstone: “You have been a very beautiful woman.” Lady Almeria: “Have been? What do you mean by ‘have been’?” … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged 18th Century, Art, Duelling, Great Britain, Illustration, Printmaking, Women | Leave a comment