Brain Simpson

Guido Ubaldo Abbatini, Pope Alexander VII with Bernini's skull (1655-56), Art Collection of the Sovereign Order of Malta, Rome. Pope Alexander VII sits in an elaborately carved chair, carved with the Chigi coat of arms, and rests his hands on a carved skull on the desk in front of him and looks out at the viewer

A realistic, life-size marble skull with teeth missing, carved out of marble by Gian Lorenzo Bernini(1655)

On his election in 1655, Pope Alexander VII commissioned Gian Lorenzo Bernini to sculpt a skull in marble, which he kept on his desk as a reminder of death's omnipresence. The sculpture was rediscovered in 2021 at Schloss Pillnitz, Dresden

Happy #WorldBookshopDay!
In 1610, Cologne merchant Francisek Jakub Mercenich estab. ‘an open shop on the street, where books are sold’ in #Kraków’s old square. This is the oldest #bookshop in #Poland, & among the oldest in #Europe. Today it’s selling signed copies of #AgentZo!

Upper cover of 16th century leather binding

A very pretty acorn panelled binding covers our first librarian's copy of Horace's Odes, printed in Paris by Simon de Colines, 497 years ago. The 16th century binding was the work of another Parisian, binder & bookseller Jehan Norvis #autumn #bindings

Absolutely adore this beautiful thistle vase by the French artist Eugène Feuillâtre, a famous enameler of the Art Nouveau period who was head of the Renée Lalique workshops & also worked for Tiffany & co. @joaokay.bluesky.social loves this period, knew his work & saw this vase recently.

A medieval manuscript page from the tenth century, on vellum. Text in black ink and red rubrication using Carolingian miniscule.

A marginal annotation on a manuscript, containing the (abbreviated) Latin sentence: 'Eodem anno destructum est monasterium sancti winualoei a normannis' (translation: 'In the same year, the monastery of saint Winwaloe was destroyed by Northmen').

Very happy to finally see this in the flesh today: the remains of an early tenth-century calendar from Landévennec, Brittany, whose entry for the year 913 contains an annotation that the local coastal monastery of Winwaloe was attacked by vikings during that year.

Copenhagen, KB Thott 239 2°, f.10r

Why were alliums & other veg so reviled in Shakespeare’s day?

In this special episode of the Comfortably Hungry podcast I chat to Professor Diane Purkiss about what everyday folk ate.

Don’t forget you can pre-order my new book Much Ado About Cooking now.

Link to this episode is in the bio.

Sheffield Fair: John Simmons (1871–1944) Museums Sheffield

"Bright stalls, bursting with colour and carnival light, defy the smoggy shadows of Sheffield. Laughter and music cut through the gloom, a vibrant, temporary spark in the town's dark expanse."

Sheffield Fair: John Simmons (1871–1944)
Museums Sheffield

#1000TudorPeople C is for Arnold Cosby. In 1591, Cosby challenged Lord Bourke to a duel. At first, Bourke was reluctant, but Cosby insisted. Bourke was wounded, but before dying, claimed Cosby had attacked him before he, Bourke, was ready. Cosby was hanged for murder. amzn.to/3X5KVBp

The Experience of Work in Early Modern England I: Winter is Coming This post is part of a series that marks the publication of The Experience of Work in Early Modern England. The book is co-authored by monster head Mark Hailwood, along with Jane Whittle, Hannah Ro…

As you dig out your chunky knitwear from the back of the draw, I know you are wondering: 'How did people prepare for winter 400 years ago?'

Read today's post to find out (and whet your appetite for our new book The Experience of Work in Early Modern England)

manyheadedmonster.com/2025/10/07/t...

A detail from a German pamphlet showing three male human heads: a Turk, A Hungarian, and a German. All heads have three mouths and you can see the tongues. The pamphlet was printed in 1605 and will be highlighted in more detail in my upcoming book about early modern news.

Gossiping is both an art and an annoying practice. In #earlymodern Europe, a gossipmonger would often be depicted as a person with three mouths. Like these three fellas that made it on a title page of a pamphlet in 1605, a Turk, a Hungarian, and a German. #skystorians #gossip

Marguerite of Anjou
In October 1470, Henry VI is restored to his crown, thanks in part to Marguerite’s efforts.
Marguerite had led the charge for Henry VI and their son Prince Edward after Henry became ill.
She was recognized as the power behind the king and hated by the Yorkists

Ch 6 of Voices of Thunder tells the inspiring story of the London lace woman Elizabeth Attaway, the first C17th woman to preach publicly to a mixed-sex congregation. Her Baptist church did not let women preach, but Attaway did not allow her low social status or her sex to be a barrier … 1/2

The ditch of the Roman camp of Raedykes in north east Scotland

The Roman camp of Raedykes near Stonehaven is one of the best preserved in Scotland. It covers around 38 hectares and has an irregular outline. Probably built in the late 1st century, by the 1700s it was being associated with the elusive site of the battle of Mons Graupius. #RomanSiteSaturday

Portrait of a Merchant by Jan Gossaert. He's wedged between all the things of his world, but his skeptical gaze crosses effortlessly to ours from 1530.

On 30 Sept 1553, Mary I, accompanied by Princess Elizabeth and Anne of Cleves, processed into London
Mary traveled as a Queen, dressed in royal clothing and jewels in a jeweled carriage
The next day, she was crowned Queen of England, the first woman crowned as Sovereign

George Clausen, British, 1852-1944
Reading by Lamplight (Twilight: Interior), 1909
Oil on canvas
73.2 × 58.4 cm
Lotherton Hall, Leeds Museums & Galleries, Leeds, UK
#art #painting #painters #BlueSkyArt

A subtle request at Wickhamford Church, Worcestershire.

50 Albums Everyone Should Listen to at Least Once in Their Life, According to Audiophiles These albums top audiophile surveys for both sound quality and timeless impact.

50 LPs everyone should hear once in their lives. #Music #VinylCommunity

www.headphonesty.com/2025/09/albu...

#OTD in 1275, Duke Jan II of Brabant and Limburg was born. In 1294, he succeeded his father Jan I and would rule till 1312. He is known for approving the Charter of Kortenberg, a constitutional milestone in European history.

My photo shows a Hellenistic hemispherical yellow glass bowl measuring 12.8 cm in diameter and 7 cm in height. A reflection of the bowl can be seen in the display case glass behind. The bowl is composed of thin threads of colourless, opaque yellow, and dark purple glass, twisted together and then spiralled around a convex mould. Scholars refer to this type of mosaic glassware as a ‘network’ vessel. Dated 270-246 BC, it was found at Canosa di Puglia in Italy, which at that time was a Hellenistic Greek colony. It was in fragments when found, and has since been reconstructed, with 15% of the reconstruction made of modern material. Place of manufacture eastern Mediterranean. Part of the collections at Landesmuseum Württemberg, Stuttgart, Germany.

This beautiful glass bowl looks modern, yet it’s about 2,250 years old! 🤩

Made using an innovative technique in which thin threads of twisted glass were spiralled over a convex mould. Wonderful example of the skill of ancient artisans!

Landesmuseum Württemberg, Stuttgart

📷 me

#Archaeology

Portrait of a “guild boy” by the great Frans Floris of Antwerp. Today is his day.

drypoint etching -lone figure walking through shadowed farmland, occasional trees line the road curving into the distance

German artist
Katja Lang

Road to E. (2022)

James II was killed at the siege of Roxburgh probably by his own gun, The Lion.
The Lion was brought to Scotland by his father James I in 1430. Contemporary chronicler Walter Bower said it had this on it ' For illustrious James, worthy Prince of the Scots.

#OTD 1516 b. Matthew Stewart, 4th Earl of Lennox. He spent his youth in the army of François I, returning to Scotland in 1542 and joining the pro-English party. He m. Lady Margaret Douglas, and their son was Lord Darnley who m. Mary, Queen of Scots. bit.ly/2MR8zcP

Spot of time travelling today, have fun too!

Scarborough beach getting some banksy inspired sand art.
By Fred Brown.

YouTube video by mylifeismuzik Commercial Breakup "Bizarre Love Triangle"

Commercial breakup youtu.be/_JsA_lhaYb0?...

YouTube video by Kwaidanrecords Nouvelle Vague "Bizarre Love Triangle" (Official Music Video)

Nouvelle Vague youtu.be/aki75C7rxl0?...

YouTube video by amorphous75 Stabbing westward - Bizarre Love Triangle

Stabbing Westward youtu.be/z18qx226kH8?...

YouTube video by Frente! Frente! - Bizarre Love Triangle (Official Video)

Frente youtu.be/ISKQDCLpDSY?...