Albert Weale

This is what needed to happen. Great example of what public-interest/deliberative journalism can still do in the UK.

Master of illusion: perspectival frescoes at Villa Farnesina Rome, by Baldassare Peruzzi, versatile Italian Mannerist architect & artist (1481-1536); apprenticed to Bramante, worked with Raphael & Sangallo, left drawings to his pupil Serlio for publication.
Sala delle Prospettive, Villa Farnesina

Que sais-je? Michel de Montaigne, French Renaissance philosopher, whose gentle scepticism shaped European thought; born #OTD 1533. Many books originally in his library at Tour Montaigne are now in the University of Cambridge Library @theUL.bsky.social

Jerusalem 0 - 0 Athens: Jennifer Nelson & Caspar Heinemann in conversation

Caspar Heinemann shares a poetic, creative-critical response to his works in Conspiracies, weaving contemporary and historical examples.

Jennifer Nelson presents: “Neither Athens Nor Alexandria: The Failed Reconquering of Aby Warburg”.

📅 24 March, 7–8:30pm

A reminder that America supplied Iran with its civil nuclear programme with no regard for who might come after the Shah. If there's an emblem of consistent US foreign policy blunder over the last 60 years it is Iran. Alas, it will continue to be Iran.

"And what shall one say of those who would rather throw all mankind out of the window, as it were, in order to save one man in high position...?"
Hannah Arendt, "Personal Responsibility Under Dictatorship" (1964).

Reupping for the US time zones. The more I think about this situation the funnier it is. The Banter Heuristic has taken up residence in the trade world and is totally in the zone.

This is a gem of a final paragraph @alanbeattie.bsky.social

”Was this the face that launch’d a thousand ships,
And burnt the topless towers of Ilium…”
Doctor Faustus, by Christopher Marlowe, Elizabethan dramatist, university wit, alleged government spy, born #OTD 1564.
Portrait: @corpuscambridge.bsky.social

Then and Now
The Little Street, Delft c.1658, painted by Johannes Vermeer; now identified by archival research as 40-42 Vlamingstraat, Delft (the home of Vermeer’s aunt).
It was photographed (right) in 2017
See below:
@rijksmuseum.bsky.social

Formidable champion of women in medical profession: Elizabeth Garrett Anderson (1836-1917) Britain's first qualified woman physician & surgeon, co-founder & Dean of London School of Medicine for Women, first female Dean of British medical school.
Portrait: John Singer Sargent 1900, NPG London

In 1867, two French Impressionist artists painted each other.
Renoir & Bazille were part of a close circle of artists & writers including Manet, Monet & Zola.
Renoir, born #OTD 1841, painted his friend at his easel & was portrayed by Bazille informally seated on a chair.
Musée d’Orsay

Bal du Moulin de la Galette, 1876, Sunday afternoon in Montmartre, Impressionist masterpiece, ‘monument précieux de la vie parisienne’, by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, born #OTD 1841; admired for its fluid brushstrokes & dappled light, the painting was owned by Gustave Caillebotte.
@museeorsay.bsky.social

Michael Finnissy's bold and ambitious Complete Works album spans almost 60 years of his career. It represents the enormous contribution to the repertoire of the instrument made by one of Britain’s most significant composers.

Supported by the VWF, due for release March 13, 2026 👏

It is four years ago today that the Russians launched their full scale invasion of Ukraine. Many in the west wrote Ukraine off and prophesied a “shock and awe” Russian victory. Instead Ukraine defied its attacker and their fight for freedom became decisive for the future of European freedom.

When the horse steals the picture: Le chancelier Séguier, French statesman, in rich gold brocade, with entourage, portrayed c.1660 in large equestrian work (thought to be depicting his role in marriage procession of Louis XIV), by Charles le Brun, Court Painter, bapt. #OTD 1619.
Musée du Louvre

Sir Joseph Banks, English botanist, naturalist & explorer, born #OTD 1743; President of Royal Society, Director of Kew Gardens, friend of von Humboldt, encouraged Australian discoveries of flora and fauna, & promoted international cooperation in science. Portrait by Reynolds 1773 National Portrait Gallery

‘The Kongouro of New Holland’, oil painting of 1772, by George Stubbs, first Western image of an Australian animal. Commissioned by Joseph Banks and based primarily on a sketch by his botanical artist Sydney Parkinson. National Maritime Museum Greenwich

Banksia Serrata from Banks’s Florilegium, watercolour 1773, by John Frederick Miller based on a sketch in Botany Bay by Banks’s botanical artist Sydney Parkinson.

Sir Joseph Banks, English botanist, naturalist & explorer, born #OTD 1743; President of Royal Society, Director of Kew Gardens, friend of von Humboldt, encouraged Australian discoveries & promoted international cooperation in science.
Painted by Reynolds 1773 NPG
🦘by Stubbs, National Maritime Museum

A GoFundMe waiting to happen. Ouch!

“And so to bed...” Samuel Pepys, London's most famous diarist, recorded Great Plague 1665 & Great Fire 1666; born #OTD 1633, Fellow of Royal Society & Chief Secretary of Admiralty 1673-1688, responsible for Royal Navy reforms.
Portrait by Sir Godfrey Kneller, 1689, National Maritime Museum Greenwich

Sir Joshua Reynolds, innovative English artist who defined the Grand Style in portrait painting, died #OTD 1792; first President of Royal Academy, friend of Dr Johnson.
Portrait of Omai c 1776 National Portrait Gallery & Getty Museum
Portrait of Lady Worsley 1776, exhibited R.A. 1780, Harewood House

“A thing of beauty is a joy forever:
Its loveliness increases; it will never Pass into nothingness, but still will keep,
A bower quiet for us and a sleep,
Full of sweet dreams…”
Endymion (1818) by John Keats, died #OTD 1821.
Portrait by William Hilton, National Portrait Gallery London

Prince of mathematics: Carl Friedrich Gauss, exceptional mathematician, known for Normal Distribution; astronomer & scientist, Professor at Göttingen University, he made significant contributions to algebra, geometry & number theory; died #OTD 1855.
Portrait by Christian Albrecht Jensen, 1840

Cardinal Cupich offers encouragement to immigrants on Ash Wednesday - Vatican News Cardinal Blase Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, presides over an outdoor Ash Wednesday Mass and procession, recalling immigrants in particular and ...

"You may be undocumented in the eyes of the state, but you were handcrafted by the Creator of the universe. Your worth does not come from a visa or a permit; it comes from the breath of God inside you." #CardinalCupich #Lent #PrayForAmerica www.vaticannews.va/en/church/ne...

We hope you have the opportunity to enjoy some music this weekend! 🎶

🌐 This year, TRIP celebrates those who dedicate their lives to human rights and opposing all forms of inequality.

💡 If you haven't had the chance to get a ticket to Prof. Jonathan Wolff's upcoming sold out lecture, subscribe to our YouTube channel to get notified when we upload the full recording.

"A sound world where we experience real love in its many forms - philosophical, personal, painful, and transcendent"

Violinist Esther Yoo on her new album Love Symposium, featuring a selection of works exploring facets of love, including Vaughan Williams' The Lark Ascending.

Debt-ridden Worcestershire, eyeing a £71m government bailout, is the latest Reform authority to propose council tax rises – against party pledges and plans to save by cutting “unnecessary expenditure”.

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An assured portrait of the last Duke of Urbino, Francesco Maria II della Rovere, born #OTD 1549 & painted (oil on canvas) by Barocci in 1572. Portrayed as a knight in glittering armour, the composure and style of the young man reflect his time at the Spanish Court 1565-1568. Galleria degli Uffizi

Delicate drawing of young girl c 1582, by Federico Barocci. Royal Collection Trust

Federico Barocci, versatile artist who inspired Rubens, born in Urbino c 1535. He worked under patronage of last Duke of Urbino, Francesco Maria II della Rovere.
Portrait of last Duke of Urbino 1572, Galleria degli Uffizi | Drawing of young girl c 1582, Royal Collection Trust

Nicolaus Copernicus, astronomer, revolutionised science with heliocentric theory of the universe, born #OTD 1473; landmark work De Revolutionibus Orbium Coelestium published 1543.
Harmonia Macrocosmica, Andreas Cellarius, 1661 (Marriott Library)