Art and Literature

A little experiment: Two works of art based on the same image of a platform of Amsterdam Central Station. The only difference between the two is in the colors: The top one is light on… Read more: Experiment: Amsterdam Central Station

Digital floral art: A closeup of a hibiscus flower. Digitally altered photo.

Roses are beautiful, but also very popular, flowers. It’s easy to take nice photos of them, but hard to be original. The web has many, many pleasing images of roses, and also a lot of… Read more: Playing with roses

What do you do if your wife and kid go downtown, and you’re home alone for two hours? When that happens to me, I take out my camera for some experiments. In this case, I… Read more: Playing with a rose

“Yellow and red”, another sunflower-inspired abstract work of digital art. By the way, if you like my work, you will also enjoy browsing my Fine Art Photography and Digital Art shop at Zazzle.

An abstract work, inspired by the colors of a sunflower, and thus titled “Sunflower”.

A little street at night, lit by street lights and an almost full moon. The photo came out a bit boring, so I decided to do something else with it and came up with this… Read more: Street lights

Two shots of a backlit fountain. (Actually, it’s only one shot, with two different crops.)

We wish all of you a Happy New Year!

Another photo experiment today. Since the time that Vincent van Gogh painted his old shoes, we know that images of old shoes are (well, can be) art. As an experiment, I took a couple of… Read more: Old shoes

The same fractal as yesterday, but this one is dark and has a bit of relief. As if it was drawn with a twig in the mud.

This is my first attempt at fractal art. I used pastel colors for this two-dimensional fractal, and made it a bit subdued. I’ll share another version of this fractal tomorrow.

A flower photo heavily post processed until it became this rather abstract work. I asked my little boy what he thought this was and he immediately said “Sun!”. Hence the title of this work.

These photos are the result of a little bit of experimenting with the camera in my mobile phone and Instagram. The flowers on the photos are the chrysanthemums on our balcony. Let me know what… Read more: Flower experiment

The first time we visited Brandenburg cemetery I told you that the cemetery was a bit dull: Straightforward headstones aligned in neat rows. There were two grave monuments that really stood out, though: The tombstone… Read more: Tombstone Tuesday: Brandenburg cemetery, Bilthoven

The inscription reads Hier rust Gerrit Patist beeldend kunstenaar 23 8 1947 – 2005 2 8 (Here rests Gerrit Patist, visual artist, 23 August 1947 – 8 February 2005). On the Dutch wikipedia I read… Read more: Tombstone Tuesday: Gerrit Patist

Author Alain Robbe-Grillet Title La plage Year 1962 Alain Robbe Grillet (1922-2008) was a French author, one of the leading figures in the nouveau roman literary movement, and since 2004 member of the Académie française.… Read more: La plage

Author Fyodor Dostoevsky Title Crime and punishment Year 1866 Original title Преступление и наказание Translation Crime and punishment, English translation by Constance Garnett Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky (1821-1861) was a Russian novelist. His novels depict life in… Read more: Crime and punishment

Author Ernest Hemingway Title For whom the bell tolls Year 1940 Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961) was an American journalist, short story author and novelist. In the 1920s he became part of the American expatriate literary community… Read more: For whom the bell tolls

Author William Faulkner Title As I lay dying Year 1930 William Faulkner (1897-1962) was an American novelist and poet. He is probably the second-most influential Southern author (after Twain). His experimental use of literary devices… Read more: As I lay dying

August was for me the month of the Southern reading challenge: With a bottle of Southern Comfort, a large box of Southern pecans and three books I enjoyed a month of Southern literature. The masterpieces… Read more: Southern reading challenge

Author Harper Lee Title To kill a mockingbird Year 1960 Harper Lee (b. 1926) is the first living artist to make an appearance on Masterpieces. She wrote just one novel, To kill a mockingbird. The… Read more: To kill a mockingbird

Author Mark Twain Title Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Year 1884 Mark Twain is the pen name of Samuel Langhorne Clemens (1835-1910). With his novels The adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Twain… Read more: Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

All that we see or seem Is but a dream within a dream. E.A. Poe Author William Shakespeare Title A midsummer night’s dream Year c.1596 With the reading of Shakespeare’s Midsummer night’s dream, I completed… Read more: A midsummer night’s dream

Author William Blake Title The clod and the pebble Year 1794 The year 1789 is engraved on the second plate of The book of Thel (discussed yesterday). This is the same year the Songs of… Read more: A clod of clay

Author William Blake Title The book of Thel Year 1789 Thel’s motto: Does the eagle know what is in the pit, or wilt thou go ask the mole? Can wisdom be put in a silver… Read more: Thel

Author Leo Tolstoy Title War and peace Year 1865-1869 Original title Война и мир (Voyna i mir) Translation Oorlog en vrede, Dutch translation by René de Vries Yasnaya Polyana Leo Tolstoy (or Tolstoi) is considered one… Read more: War and peace

Author Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm Title Jorinde und Joringel The Grimm brothers Jakob Grimm (1785-1863) and Wilhelm Grimm (1786-1859) were two German professors working mostly in linguistics. They are best known, however, for their collection… Read more: Jorinde und Joringel

The challenge: Read three Southern books. The books must contain a Southern setting by a Southern author. The challenge is hosted by Maggie of Maggie reads. Maggie defined the Southern region with a helpful map… Read more: Southern Reading Challenge

Author Ernest Hemingway Title A clean, well-lighted place Year 1926 Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961) was an American journalist, short story author and novelist. In the 1920s he became part of the American expatriate literary community in… Read more: A clean, well-lighted place

Kathrin of Crazy Cozy Murders hosts another classics challenge: Read 3-5 classics between July 1 and November 30 (2007, I assume). My three choices: Crime and punishment, by Fyodor Dostoyevsky For whom the bell tolls,… Read more: Crazy cozy classics challenge

Author Louis Couperus Title De dood van Vesta First published 1911 Louis Marie-Anne Couperus (1863-1923) was an important (and prolific) Dutch novelist. He travelled extensively and moved often. He lived in Holland, Dutch Indies, France,… Read more: De dood van Vesta

Author Jean de La Fontaine Title Le corbeau et le renard Year 1668 Jean de La Fontaine (1621-1695) was the most important French poet of the 17th century. His main work was Fables choisies mises… Read more: Le corbeau et le renard

Coming soon As part of the Once upon a time challenge (hosted on Stainless Steel Droppings), you can expect posts about the following masterpieces: The book of Thel, by William Blake. Jorinde und Joringel, from… Read more: Once upon a time

In December, I announced my participation in the 2007 winter classics challenge hosted by booklogged. The challenge was to read five classics during January and February 2007. Except for a few chapters of The Woodlanders,… Read more: 2007 Winter Classics Challenge

Author E.M. Forster Title A Room with a View Year 1908 Edward Morgan Forster (1879 – 1970) was an English novelist. He completed only six novels, all written between 1905 and 1924. His best known… Read more: A room with a view

Author Henry James Title The Aspern Papers Year 1888 Henry James (1843-1916) was an American author and literary critic. He spent most of his life in Europe, and in 1915, at the end of his… Read more: The Aspern Papers

Author Thomas Hardy Title The Woodlanders Year 1887 Thomas Hardy (1840-1928) was an English poet and novelist. He regarded himself first and foremost as a poet, but the rest of the world find his novels… Read more: The Woodlanders

Francisco de Goya Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes (1746-1828) is one of the greatest Spanish artists of all times. His work includes portraits, history (especially war) scenes, religious subjects, and cartoons. Goya has been… Read more: Goya’s black paintings

Artist Francisco Goya Title Half-submerged dog Year 1819-1823 Technique Mural (later converted to canvas) Current location Museo del Prado, Madrid, Spain This is the most enigmatic of all the black paintings. A dog, half submerged (quicksand?… Read more: Goya’s black paintings: Half-submerged dog

Artist Francisco Goya Title Two women and a man Year 1819-1823 Technique Mural (later converted to canvas) Current location Museo del Prado, Madrid, Spain Two women and a man, also known as Two women or Two… Read more: Goya’s black paintings: Two women and a man

Artist Francisco Goya Title The fates Year 1819-1823 Technique Mural (later converted to canvas) Current location Museo del Prado, Madrid, Spain In classical mythology, the fates are three goddesses that control the thread of life. They… Read more: Goya’s black paintings: The fates

Artist Francisco Goya Title Asmodea Year 1819-1823 Technique Mural (later converted to canvas) Current location Museo del Prado, Madrid, Spain Asmodea is also known as Asmodeus, Sabbath, or Fantastic vision. It is a strange painting of… Read more: Goya’s black paintings: Asmodea

The aim of this blog is to discuss Masterpieces of art, literature and architecture, but no literary masterpiece has made it to this blog yet. The 2007 Winter Classics Challenge on A Reader’s Journal may… Read more: A Reader’s Journal: 2007 Winter Classics Challenge

Artist Francisco Goya Title Pilgrimage to St. Isidore’s well Year 1819-1823 Technique Mural (later converted to canvas) Current location Museo del Prado, Madrid, Spain Pilgrimage to St. Isidore’s well is also known as The holy office.… Read more: Goya’s black paintings: Pilgrimage to St. Isidore’s well

Artist Francisco Goya Title Heads in a landscape Year 1819-1823 Technique Mural (later converted to canvas) Current location Private collection Fourteen of Goya’s black paintings are on display in the Prado Museum. Many descriptions of the… Read more: Goya’s black paintings: Heads in a landscape

Artist Francisco Goya Title The reading Year 1819-1823 Technique Mural (later converted to canvas) Current location Museo del Prado, Madrid, Spain The reading, also known as Politicians or Men reading, shows a group of men reading… Read more: Goya’s black paintings: The reading

Artist Francisco Goya Title Two men fighting with clubs Year 1819-1823 Technique Mural (later converted to canvas) Current location Museo del Prado, Madrid, Spain Two men fighting with clubs is far brighter than any of the… Read more: Goya’s black paintings: Two men fighting with clubs

Artist Francisco Goya Title Two old people eating Year 1819-1823 Technique Mural (later converted to canvas) Current location Museo del Prado, Madrid, Spain The exact location of Two old people eating in Goya’s house is uncertain.… Read more: Goya’s black paintings: Two old people eating

Artist Francisco Goya Title A manola, doña Leocadia Zorilla Year 1819-1823 Technique Mural (later converted to canvas) Current location Museo del Prado, Madrid, Spain A manola, doña Leocadia Zorilla is also known as A manola or… Read more: Goya’s black paintings: A manola, doña Leocadia Zorilla

Artist Francisco Goya Title Pilgrimage to St. Isidore’s hermitage Year 1819-1823 Technique Mural (later converted to canvas) Current location Museo del Prado, Madrid, Spain The room downstairs was dominated by two huge paintings (about 4.30 metres… Read more: Goya’s black paintings: Pilgrimage to St. Isidore’s hermitage

Artist Francisco Goya Title The witches’ sabbath or the great he-goat Year 1819-1823 Technique Mural (later converted to canvas) Current location Museo del Prado, Madrid, Spain The room downstairs was dominated by two huge paintings (about… Read more: The witches’ sabbath or the great he-goat

Artist Francisco Goya Title Two friars Year 1819-1823 Technique Mural (later converted to canvas) Current location Museo del Prado, Madrid, Spain We do not know if the two men on The two friars are indeed friars… Read more: Goya’s black paintings: Two friars

Artist Francisco Goya Title Saturn devouring one of his children Year 1819-1823 Technique Mural (later converted to canvas) Current location Museo del Prado, Madrid, Spain Saturn devouring one of his children probably formed a pair with… Read more: Goya’s black paintings: Saturn devouring one of his children

Artist Francisco Goya Title Judith and Holofernes Year 1819-1823 Technique Mural (later converted to canvas) Current location Museo del Prado, Madrid, Spain Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes (1746-1828) is one of the greatest Spanish artists… Read more: Goya’s black paintings: Judith and Holofernes

Artist Francesco Hayez Title Melancholy Year c.1840-1842 Technique Oil on canvas Current location Pinacoteca Brera (Brera Gallery), Milan, Italy Francesco Hayez (1791-1882) painted mainly historical subjects and portraits. He was clearly an exponent of the Romantic… Read more: Hayez’s Melancholy

Artist Leonardo da Vinci Title Annunciation Year c.1475 Technique Oil on wood Current location Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence, Italy Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) was a brilliant scientist and artist: He was painter, sculptor, and musician, but… Read more: Da Vinci’s Annunciation

Artist Rembrandt van Rijn Title The anatomy lesson of Dr Nicolaes Tulp Year c.1632 Technique Oil on canvas Current location Mauritshuis, The Hague, The Netherlands Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn, better known by his first name Rembrandt,… Read more: Rembrandt’s anatomy lesson

Artist Francesco Hayez Title The kiss Year 1859 Technique Oil on canvas Current location Pinacoteca Brera (Brera Gallery), Milan, Italy Francesco Hayez (1791-1882) painted mainly historical subjects and portraits. He was clearly an exponent of the… Read more: Hayez’s kiss

Artist Rembrandt van Rijn Title Portrait of two figures from the Old Testament, known as The Jewish bride Year 1667 Technique Oil on Canvas Current location Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, The Netherlands Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn, better known… Read more: Rembrandt’s Jewish bride

Artist Johannes Vermeer Title Girl with a pearl earring Year c.1665 Technique Oil on canvas Current location Mauritshuis, The Hague, The Netherlands Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675) was not a very prolific painter – fewer than 40 of… Read more: Vermeer’s girl with a pearl earring

Artist Albrecht Dürer Title The prodigal son Year c.1496 Technique Engraving Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528) is known mostly for his engravings, but he was also a painter, and worked with many other techniques. He was a… Read more: Dürer’s prodigal son

Artist Léon Bonnat Title Mademoiselle Franchetti Year 1875 Technique Oil on canvas Current location Musée Bonnat, Bayonne, France Léon Joseph Florentin Bonnat (1833-1922) was a French painter, born in Bayonne. He is best known for his… Read more: Mademoiselle Franchetti, a portrait by Léon Bonnat

Artist Willem Marinus Dudok Title Raadhuis Year 1931 Location Hilversum Willem Marinus Dudok (1884-1974) was a Dutch modernist architect. His main influences were the Amsterdam School, and especially the work of Hendrik Petrus Berlage. Most… Read more: Dudok’s Hilversum town hall

Artist Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn Title Christ healing the sick, known as The hundred guilders print Year c.1643 Technique Etch Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn, better known by his first name Rembrandt, is the most famous… Read more: The hundred guilders print

Artist Paulus Potter Title The bull Year 1647 Technique Oil on canvas Current location Mauritshuis, The Hague, The Netherlands Even though Paulus Potter (1625-1654) died at the age of 28, he managed to produce about 100… Read more: Paulus Potter’s bull

Several Dutch masterpieces by Rembrandt, Jan Steen, Frans Hals, Jacob van Ruisdael, Jan van Goyen, and others from the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam have started their U.S. tour: “DAYTON, Ohio – They are remodeling his place,… Read more: Rembrandt masterpieces begin U.S. tour – Yahoo! News

Artist Anthony Jansz van der Croos Title Vue of The Hague Year 1655 Technique Oil on wood Current location Musée des Augustins, Toulouse, France When I visited the Musée des Augustins in Toulouse a few years… Read more: Vue of The Hague

Artist Leonardo da Vinci Title La Gioconda, known as Mona Lisa Year c.1507 Technique Oil on wood Current location Louvre, Paris, France Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) was a brilliant scientist and artist: He was painter, sculptor,… Read more: Mona Lisa

Artist Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn Title The Company of Frans Banning Cocq and Willem van Ruytenburch, known as The night watch Year 1642 Technique Oil on canvas Current location Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, The Netherlands Rembrandt Harmensz van… Read more: Rembrandt’s night watch