ART AFICIONADO

Saturday, June 28, 2025

Travel + Leisure: Great Wall of India by Emmett Sparling

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Source: https://www.instagram.com/travelandleisure/

Friday, June 27, 2025

Fashion is DEFINITELY Art: Dior Men's Spring/Summer 2026

Creative Director: Jonathan Anderson

via Christian Dior

MODELING: Lina Shabani for Lui Magazine

Director: Raf Stahelin

Model: Lina Shabani

via localboy

Thursday, June 26, 2025

Branwell Brontë

Art Appreciation

Patrick Branwell Brontë, born on June 26, 1817, in Thornton, West Yorkshire, was the only son of Reverend Patrick Brontë and Maria Branwell. He was the brother of the renowned writers Charlotte, Emily, and Anne Brontë. Educated at home by his father, Branwell exhibited early talent in literature and art. Alongside his sisters, he created intricate imaginary worlds, notably Angria, which they documented in miniature books. These early collaborations laid the groundwork for the literary pursuits that the Brontë siblings would later undertake.

In 1835, Branwell aspired to study at the Royal Academy of Arts in London. Although there is no official record of his enrollment, it's believed that financial constraints and personal challenges prevented him from pursuing formal studies there. Despite this setback, Branwell continued to develop his artistic skills, producing several portraits, including the well-known painting of his three sisters.

Branwell's early career included work as a portrait painter and contributions to local newspapers. He also held positions as a tutor and railway clerk. His literary works, often centered around the fictional world of Angria, showcased his vivid imagination and narrative prowess. However, his creative endeavors were frequently overshadowed by personal struggles, including issues with alcohol and opium, which impeded his professional progress.

Branwell Brontë died on September 24, 1848, at the age of 31, likely from tuberculosis, compounded by his substance use. His death marked the beginning of a tragic period for the Brontë family, as his sisters Emily and Anne succumbed to the same illness within the following year.

Anne, Emily and Charlotte, c. 1834

c. 1828

Self caricature of Branwell in bed waiting to die, 1847

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://www.annebronte.org/2023/06/25/youngbranwellbronte/

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Patrick-Branwell-Bronte

https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/books/features/bronte-sisters-emily-charlotte-anne-branwell-death-contagious-tb-tuberculosis-romantic-a8595516.html

https://litreactor.com/columns/lurid-branwell-bronte-wastrel-or-romantic-hero

https://jamestkelly.com/did-branwell-try-to-get-into-the-royal-academy/

Wednesday, June 25, 2025

Melinda Windsor

Model Appreciation

Melinda Windsor, known to friends and family as Ann Brockway, captivated Playboy readers in February 1966 as Playmate of the Month. At 5'4" with a slim yet curvaceous figure and natural 38DD bust, she quickly became a fan favorite, gaining a ranking on the site decades later.

Born on June 25, 1944, in Akron, Ohio, Melinda was a small-town girl with big ambitions, taking on Los Angeles in the '60s with her sights set on academia. At the time of her Playboy feature, she was a psychology student at UCLA, working as an insurance rater to fund her education—a determined young woman balancing work, school, and the allure of the spotlight.

While her Playboy appearance certainly turned heads, Melinda's goals were refreshingly down-to-earth. She intended to use her modeling earnings to finish her bachelor's degree (which she did later in 1966) and then pursue a PhD to become a teacher.

Her pseudonym sparked a minor stir when UCLA couldn’t confirm a student named "Melinda Windsor." Playboy clarified that she’d been enrolled in fall 1965 and had chosen the alias to keep a bit of mystery in her public persona. For Melinda, the experience in Playboy was simply a stepping stone toward her academic dreams, though she certainly enjoyed her brief time in the limelight.

With her signature natural beauty and a brain to match, Melinda Windsor embodied the era's blend of glamour and ambition. Beyond the cameras, she was a dedicated student and family-oriented woman who grew up alongside two sisters, with a chemist father and a homemaker mother. Her turn-ons were as scholarly as they come ("school"), and her turn-offs? People who aren’t true to themselves. To this day, Melinda Windsor remains a classic symbol of the '60s: beauty, brains, and unapologetic ambition all rolled into one.