★ Canadian-American actress and producer, Mary Pickford, was born on this day in 1892. In a film career lasting from 1909 to 1933, she appeared in over 150 shorts and 52 feature films, and was the most popular actress of the 1910s and 1920s. Variously dubbed ‘Queen of the… Continue reading
★ American jazz musician and singer, Billie Holiday, was born on this day in 1915. Famous for her unique vocal style and sense of tempo, she captivated audiences everywhere from the nightclubs of Harlem to a sold-out Carnegie Hall, and worked with many famous names… Continue reading
★ ‘A Lady in a Lilac Dress with Flowers’ by Wladyslaw Czachórski (1880-90). I am absolutely in love with this painting – everything from the play of light upon the pale lilac satin of her dress (with it’s fabulous ruffled sleeves), to the intricate details of her surroundings, I think the entire… Continue reading
★ British actor and film director, Leslie Howard, was born on this day in 1893. One of the biggest box-office draws and matinee idols of the 1930s, his relatively short career was cut tragically short by his death in 1943, aged just 50. Born and raised in an upper-middle class household… Continue reading
★ I have something of a passion for the French Ancien Regime, so I find this beautiful portrait of ‘Madame Bergeret’ by Francois Boucher (possibly 1766) to be absolutely delightful. Boucher is one of the quintessential Rococo painters, with his work perfectly encapsulating… Continue reading
★ Happy Valentine’s Day everyone! I couldn’t let this day pass without taking a look at rather a bygone tradition in Hollywood – the Valentine’s Day publicity shot. It’s where upcoming young starlets (and sometimes even well-established stars) would pose for cutesy Valentine’s Day… Continue reading
★ One of the things I love about art is that no matter how many paintings I see or artists I research, there never ceases to be another beautiful discovery just around the corner. And here’s another. Currently in the Museum of John Paul II Collection at the Porczyński Gallery in… Continue reading
★ Anglo-American actress and director, Ida Lupino, was a true Hollywood pioneer. Born in 1918 in Herne Hill, London, to a theatrical dynasty dating back to Renaissance Italy, Lupino was encouraged to perform from an early age. In a backyard theatre built by her father, she… Continue reading
★ Well, if you can believe it, the first episode of the BBC’s adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic romantic novel, ‘Pride and Prejudice’, made its TV debut 20 years ago today! Featuring that Colin Firth moment, the series caused an absolute… Continue reading
★ Summer may be drawing to a close, but that means it’s also the time of year when ‘Downton Abbey’ hits our screens again! The channel behind the acclaimed period piece, ITV, has just released a trailer for the upcoming 6th series, and it looks fantastic. There are shocked faces… Continue reading
