The Entrance to the Ashmolean Collection, Oxford. The Ashmolean Collection is one of the oldest museums in the world. Established in 1677 as the first public museum in Britain, starting as a simple cabinet of curiosities given to the University of Oxford, it now has a significant collection of artifacts and works of art from… Continue reading From all corners of the world: notes from the Ashmolean collection
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Masterpieces, skipped: notes from the Louvre collection
An analysis of ten less-loved masterpieces of the Louvre.
Paris, France
Our next city was Paris, and we couldn’t be more fortunate in terms of the timing — and our timing was great as it coincided with Bastille Day (although we didn’t intend this). The city was vibrant and full of energy. We couldn’t see the famous July 14 fireworks as the city was getting packed,… Continue reading Paris, France
Amsterdam’s treasure trove: notes on the Rijksmuseum collection
A walk through the Rijksmuseum, and through the history of Dutch art.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
We started our Amsterdam trip in Zaanse Schans, a beautiful small town that preserved the old Dutch countryside with windmills and traditional houses. About a quarter of the country is below sea level and the Dutch people, for centuries, have cultivated their land with engineering ingenuity and sheer will. As a result, the people of… Continue reading Amsterdam, Netherlands
Berlin’s hollow tooth: notes on the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church
A discussion on the significance of the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church.
Berlin, Germany
The city of Berlin was full of places that today work as a reminder of the painful recent history of Germany: The fascist ruling of Hitler (the Third Reich) and the division of the country signified by the Berlin Wall. These remnants help constantly remind the Berliners of their history — their own suffering, as… Continue reading Berlin, Germany
Milan’s marble face: notes on the Duomo
What makes Milan’s Duomo special, and what makes it so irresistible to people around the world every year?
Milan, Italy
Duomo di Milan The first (and the main) place we visited in Milan was the Milan Duomo. The Duomo is at the center of the city. Visitors can immediately notice the immense size of the cathedral. It’s simply massive. The Milan Duomo is the largest cathedral in Italy in terms of the size, and the… Continue reading Milan, Italy
A tale of two churches: notes on the Sagrada FamÃlia and Santa Eulalia Cathedral
How are Barcelona’s two greatest churches related and different? Can we draw parallels between these seemingly opposite buildings?