Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg

Art Appreciation

Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg, considered the Father of Danish painting, is best known for his portraits of Copenhagen's middle class. 

His paintings and teachings influenced painters during the first half of the 19th century, known as the Danish Golden Age.

Interestingly, in his teachings, he suggested ignoring defects so that perfection can be fulfilled.  Similar to how photographers today photoshop to remove unwanted blemishes.


Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg Femme à sa toilette, 1841


Sources: http://www.answers.com/topic/eckersberg-christoffer-vilhelm; http://www.nga.gov/exhibitions/eckersberginfo.shtm; Wikipedia

Radiohead - Creep

Music Appreciation

I remember first watching Radiohead on MTV Beach House Party in 1993--yeah, the one hosted by Bill Bellamy.  It was the summer before my senior year in high school, and this song seemed to define my life.  I was a creep and a weirdo in love with an "angel". Ah! Young love.  

Source: wikipedia; youtube

The Driskill Hotel in Austin

Designed by Jasper N. Preston & Son in 1886, Col. James Driskill's hotel is perhaps the finest in Texas.

The Romanesque style building, which is located on the infamous 6th Street in downtown Austin, is considered a political landmark where politicians congregate for events.

It's also said to be haunted by Col. James Driskill, who lost the hotel in a poker game to his brother-in-law, Jim Day.  George Littlefield purchased the hotel soon after.

Sources: 

http://www.driskillhotel.com/

Wikipedia

Camille Hilaire

Art Appreciation

Considered a highly influencial French painter of the mid-twentieth century, Camille Hilaire was known to sketch his subject with tenderness and grace. 

Nu de Dos via blogerslorrainsengages

Sources: http://www.galerie-es.com/art.camille-hilaire.html; http://www.cambridgeprints.com/artists/h/HILAIRE.HTML;
wikipedia

Claude Debussy - Clair de lune

Claude Debussy composed "Clair de lune" based on a poem written by French poet Paul Verlaine by the same name. 

As we drove our newborn son home for the first time, I remember listening to Clair de lune as we drove into the neighborhood. 

Check out Stephen Malinowski's Youtube page at http://www.youtube.com/user/smalin.

The Littlefield House

ARCHITECTURE APPRECIATION

The Victorian architecture was built in 1893 by Confederate Officer, banker and philanthropist George W. Littlefield.  The Littlefield house, which is designated a national landmark, is located on the northern part of the University of Texas - Austin campus.

Sources: Wikipedia; http://www.utexas.edu/features/archive/2002/littlefield.html

University Baptist Church in Austin, TX

ARCHITECTURE APPRECIATION 




Designed in a Spanish Colonial style, the University Baptist Church, which is located on Guadalupe Street (pronounced Gwad-a-loop) in Austin, Texas, was built in 1921.  Architect Albert Kelsey designed the church to match the nearby University of Texas buildings.

Sources: 

Wikipedia