Van Gogh's lost painting

The painter on the road to Tarascon, painted in 1988

Quote: Ismail Kadare

... I believe that I must return once more to the vision of the two worlds confronting each other in anticipation of victory: the real world or that of the Arts.

Of course, there exist many differences between them, but there is one of colossal dimensions that stands out above all the rest. And it is the following. While the real world, in its conflict with the Arts, becomes so extremely furious as to rush forward to destroy them, in no case whatsoever, I repeat, in no case whatsoever, do Literature and the Arts ever attack the real world with the intention of harming it, but in fact fight to make it more beautiful, more habitable.

This is the absolute difference between the two. And in this case, this difference constitutes no other than the most sublime confirmation of the true independence of the Arts.

from Ismail Kadare's speech at the Prince of Asturias Awards ceremony, 2009

Painting at Venice Biennale 2009

from EGYPT -------- aDel El sIwi

from BRAZIL --------dElson uChoa

from SPAIN -------- mIquel bArceló

and from AUSTRIA --------Elke Krystufek

and once again, the magic of drawing

Drapery for seated figure
Leonardo Da Vinci, 1470
Louvre Museum

Interesting Japanese concept

Nin




=patience and endurance while waiting for better times

Quiz results

And the answer to October quiz is:

110-130 AC

From the exhibition Roman Imperial Painting
24 September 2009 - 17 January 2010
Scuderie del Quirinale, Rome
More info and photos

(So why was I told that the history of painting starts with Giotto? I want my money back)

It's a small world: ancient gold jewellery

Photos: Museum with no frontiers and MET Museum

I'm really curious about: Byzantine empresses

Irene of Athens

Maria of Alania




Maria of Antioch




Piroska of Hungary/ Irene




and Theodora

...or maybe just fascinated by their representation.

Worshiping women

I hope you're enjoying this journey through the ancient cultures of the Mediterranean. These photos belong to an exhibition that is now being held in The National Archaelogical Museum. It only lasts till 30 November: Worshiping Women, Ritual and Reality in Classical Athens

Link to more photos and descriptions here
&
Link to the website of the National Archaelogical Museum in Athens showing photos of lots of the exhibits there. I love it!

October challenge

Date this!





The answer next week, or so

Fashion loves art

From Francis Montesinos' Autumn Winter 2009/2010 collection
Dalí's Mae West room is displayed at the Dalí Museum in Figueres.

as seen in vogue.es

And now relaaaax...

....Close your eyes and think of faraway places (but only after clicking here below)

That was the song Kolaymi, from the album "Dance into Eternity", by Omar Faruk Tekbilek. I don't have words to explain the beauty of his music.

Lately in love with: Turkish Izmir tiles in Istanbul

Many of these decorate Topkapi Palace and the Mausoleums of the Sultans in Istanbul

Photo credit: Jorapa's Flickr photostream

I can't take my eyes off you

Sculpture of Artemis

Now at Ephesus Museum, Selçuk, Turkey, but once located in the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

In these days only ruins of the Temple remain.

A stroll around the Ancient City of Ephesus

Quote

"Art is magic delivered from the lie of being truth"

Theodor W. Adorno