Considered the oldest written novel – and written by a woman over one thousand years ago. It exposes the character of Genji in an unusually candid way.
I love the way she presented deeper looks at characters – sometimes through their internal monologue/reflections, their actions, their reactions, and sometimes through symbolism (usually highlighting a gesture of nature).
I was surprised that Genji is neither ‘good’ nor ‘bad’. She displayed her characters in such a ‘human’, real and natural light – with their good and bad moments.
Unknown artist/maker (German), illuminator and Jansen Enikel (Austrian), authorAlexander the Great under Water, about 1400–1410Tempera colors, gold, silver paint, and inkLeaf: 33.5 × 23.5 cm (13 3/16 × 9 1/4 in.)The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, Ms. 33, fol. 220v, 88.MP.70.220v
“This delightful short from Edison Manufacturing Co. features the dancers Norma Gould and Ted Shawn (with troupe in tow) performing a range of “historical” dances, not upon the stage but, via the magic of special effects, miniaturised upon a banqueting table top. Flanking either side of the table-sized stage are a bevy of beer drinking men — one of whom is meant to be an old dancing master — making merry to the beat of the dances before them.
There is something ‘enticing’ in this painting. The weathered structure, the wood, the brick…The way the greenery is so fresh against the old, worn home with its layers and features is almost magical. Details like sunlight filtering through the trees make this feel so ‘real’.
