Crepuscule in Blood and Guts

the most curious incident in the life of James McNeill Whistler

This one has it all: sibling rivalry, country club politics, adultery, duels, the Civil War, Spanish colonial policy, and three giant piles of bird poop.

Categories: Arts & Culture, Daring & Epic Journeys, Series 13

Tags: American Civil War art art history Confederate Navy Confederate States of America Liverpool, England London, England racism Spain United Kingdom United States Navy United States of America

Published: February 20, 2023

More Lovely and More Temperate

poor estate planning, a daring art theft, and a brief history of Anglo-Irish relations

In which two Irish art students commit a daring daylight museum heist with virtually no planning, and somehow get away consequence-free.

Categories: Arts & Culture, Series 7

Tags: art art history civil law crime London, England Presented by #13 United Kingdom World War I

Published: April 12, 2021

The Icelander

a tale of public art, politics, and racism

Why, exactly, was there a statue of a Viking explorer in Philadelphia? And why isn't it there now?

Categories: Arts & Culture, Daring & Epic Journeys, Series 5

Tags: art art history Fairmount Park Iceland Leif Eiriksson Pennsylvania Philadelphia Eagles Philadelphia, PA Presented by #13 Thorfinn Karlsefni Thorvald Eiriksson Vikings Vinland

Published: September 28, 2020

The Brouhaha

when abstract art when on trial

Is Constantin Brâncuși's "Bird in Space" a masterpiece, or just a hunk of polished bronze? Why not let the courts decide?

Categories: Arts & Culture, Series 1

Tags: art art history civil law Ezra Pound Presented by #13

Published: October 21, 2019