Art
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I once painted skies.Vast, open, careless heavens that dripped sunlight and hope.My brush danced with joy, my palette a chorus of life.But then came the grey. It was not the grey of morning mist or soft winter clouds—It was the grey of silence,of smoke that climbed like prayerfrom chimneys built to erase names. I was…
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A picture tells a thousand words, and in this case, they truly do. The drawings and cartoons are made by Emile Franken. I am not sure what happened to Emile. I do know he was born on 15 April 1921 somewhere in the Netherlands and he survived the war. I also know he spent time…
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There is this funny riddle, it goes like “What’s Rembrandt’s first name?” Rembrandt of course is his first name, his last name is van Rijn. Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn born 15 July 1606 Unlike the riddle, his life wasn’t funny. He suffered many tragedies in his life. He got married on June 22 1634 to…
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Adolf Hitler is infamous for his evil deeds and politics , but a lesser-known chapter of his life is his early pursuit of a career in art. Before he became the architect of one of history’s darkest periods, Hitler aspired to be a professional painter. His time as an artist, though ultimately unsuccessful, played a…
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This will be a blog with very few words but mostly pictures. Pictures drawn by victims of the Holocaust. The artists are unknown, or at least unknown to me. but the art tells a bleak story of daily life in the concentration camps. The above picture is of a clergy man holding some sort of…
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Few pieces of classical music have achieved the universal recognition and enduring popularity of Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Für Elise.” Composed on April 27 1810, but not published until 1867, decades after Beethoven’s death, “Für Elise” stands today as one of the most iconic piano pieces in history. Its simple, haunting melody has transcended time, finding…
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Isidor Straus and his wife Ida were prominent passengers aboard the Titanic. Isidor Straus was born in Germany in 1845 and immigrated to the United States with his family—when he was a child. He eventually became a successful businessman and co-owner of Macy’s department store in New York City, along with his brother Nathan. Isidor…
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Vincent Willem van Gogh ( 30 March 1853 – 29 July 1890) was a Dutch post-impressionist painter who posthumously became one of the most famous and influential figures in the history of Western art. In a decade, he created about 2,100 artworks, including around 860 oil paintings, most of which date from the last two…
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Act I, Scene I Enter Chorus. Chorus:Hark! Attend, good people, to a tale most dire,Of conflagration fierce and lute’s sweet lyre.Beside fair Geneva’s tranquil lake it fell,A tragedy where smoke and water tell. Enter noble musicians: Lord Ritchie, Sir Ian, Sir Roger, and Sir Jon. Lord Ritchie:Upon the glassy shore we’d planned our art,A hall…
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Dick Turpin is one of England’s most famous historical outlaws, known for his exploits as a highwayman during the early 18th century. Over time, he has become a legendary figure, celebrated in folklore and literature as a daring and gallant rogue. However, the reality of Turpin’s life is far less romantic. While he was indeed…
History of Sorts 