Something Beautiful

Maestà (Duccio)

I'm thinking of doing a study here of the Maestà (1308-11) by Duccio di Buoninsegna. For an idea of just what a good idea that might be, take a look at the front and back of this complex, extraordinary work of art.

What really matters

I'd like to spend some time mulling over this piece on How to focus on what really matters.

Burnet Psalter

We have the privilege of viewing each leaf of the Burnet Psalter, 15th century, online. The initial leaf of the psalter proper is here, where the miniature that accompanies Psalm 1 shows an elderly King David playing his harp for the Lord.

The Nativity (with Prophets), by Duccio

The Nativity with the prophets Isaiah and Ezekiel. Painted for the Cathedral of Siena in 1308-11 -- but now at the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.

Seeing America

The art museum at the University of Rochester has placed online the entire contents of its wonderful book, Seeing America.

van der Vliet Online

I love architectural art, of the kind done by Dutch Baroque era artist Hendrik Cornelisz van der Vliet. (Yes, his church interiors are very reminiscent of Saenredam's.)

In praise of things past

A blog called Laudator Temporis Acti.

Thoreau's cabin

The site of Thoreau's cabin was discovered in 1945. If you're a Thoreau fan, you'll enjoy some of the other photos at this site too.

Hannah Arendt's Grave, at Bard Cemetery

I was surprised to learn that one of my heroes, philosopher Hannah Arendt (1906-1975), is buried in a small cemetery at Bard College, only about 20 minutes from where I live.

Medieval Glosses

I like these leaves of medieval manuscripts which show a variety of medieval glosses.

National Gallery, London: Room 51

The much-revamped site for the National Gallery, London, permits us to visit the NGL room by room.  A logical place to start would be Room 51, which contains the NGL's earliest works, 1250-1350. All Italian and mostly quite wonderful. 

An Old Woman Sewing

This painting is "homely," but still quite a lovely work -- An Old Woman Sewing, 1655, by Johannes van der Aack. 

Pavarotti masterclass

What a lovely video this is -- Pavarotti masterclass. Short, sweet. Don't miss it.

Caravaggio (at the NGL)

I happened upon Supper at Emmaus, by Caravaggio, owned by the National Gallery, London. It might not look all that special at first. If you use the zoom, however, you'll see that the tableau is to die for. Look for the water pitcher, as just one example.

(Note: The National Gallery is having an exhibition titled Corot to Monet: A Fresh Look at Landscape, but I'm having some trouble finding images to suggest to you.)

St Gaudens exhibition

The Metropolitan Museum site presents an exhibition of works by Augustus St Gaudens. Many of the images are quite lovely. Don't miss this painting by Kenyon Cox of the sculptor at work. Or, for that matter, this sculpture of the artist by John Flanagan.

England's most beautiful cathedral?

There's a website where you can vote on the most beautiful cathedral in England.  What's great about it is that the site provides a map showing you the location of all 28 churches (mostly cathedrals but not all) eligible for your vote.  It provides photos and links to the cathedrals' official webpages.  All in all, a delicious site. 

Laon Cathedral

Here's a set of fifty achingly beautiful photos of Laon Cathedral.

And here's a single picture of the Cathedral's interior from above.

Our Lady's Chapel, St. Louis

The Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, located in St. Louis, Missouri, is famous for the mosaics in its interior. You'll be able to see why if you look at these photos of Our Lady's Chapel.

The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp (Rembrandt)

While pursuing another subject entirely, I came across a reference to this extraordinary work -- The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp, 1623, by Rembrandt. It's housed in the Mauritshuis museum in The Hague, the Netherlands.

Stained Glass

It's not easy to find good photos of stained glass. All the more reason to welcome Stained Glass Splendor, a blog devoted to that art form.