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Author Archives: Brian D. Butler
we owe literature almost everything we are
“You said that we owe literature almost everything we are and what we have been. If books disappear, history will disappear, and human beings will also disappear. I am sure you are right. Books are not only the arbitrary sum … Continue reading
Posted in Books, South America, USA, Writing
Tagged Jorge Luis Borges, Literature, Susan Sontag
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Dear New York, I miss you
For those of us with New York City hardwired in our DNA, this year away from the greatest city in the world has been difficult. With vaccination rates up, and with NYC’s iconic sights and institutions reopening, things will normalize … Continue reading
Underground History
Aboveground at Philadelphia’s famous Independence Mall visitors discover an impressive collection of monuments to American history. Often called the “Cradle of American Liberty,” the popular tourist site contains sculptures of Founding Fathers, buildings inside of which the U.S. Constitution was … Continue reading
Posted in Architecture, History, Museums, Public Transport, Tourism, USA
Tagged Independence Mall, Liberty Bell, Philadelphia, Thomas Jefferson, underground railroad
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all and sundry Sunday
In reading a novel, any novel, we have to know perfectly well that the whole thing is nonsense, and then, while reading, believe every word of it. Finally, when we’re done with it, we may find – if it’s a … Continue reading
The Divine Comedy
In anticipation of the 700th anniversary of the death of Dante Alighieri, Brooklyn artist George Cochrane has worked on a contemporary illuminated manuscript of Dante’s Divine Comedy—all 350,000 characters of the epic poem, plus illustrations, in the original Italian for nearly seven … Continue reading
Posted in Art, Books, Europe, History, Writing
Tagged Dante Alighieri, La Divina Commedia, Publishing and Printing
1 Comment
I wish What I wished you before, but harder.
THE WRITER Richard Wilbur In her room at the prow of the house Where light breaks, and the windows are tossed with linden, My daughter is writing a story. I pause in the stairwell, hearing From her shut door a … Continue reading
Bookshops of the Future
Posted in Animation, Art, Books, Bookstore Tourism
Tagged Bookselling, Cartoons, Comics
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When In Rome
I’ve been thinking quite a bit about Rome over the last few days because of the news that a new archeological site will be opening in the coming year in the heart of the Eternal City. If you haven’t heard, … Continue reading
Posted in Air Travel, Architecture, Art, Europe, Film, History, Museums, Photography, Tourism
Tagged Italy, Rome, Timelapse
4 Comments
Ghost Words
What does palimpsest mean? 1 : writing material (such as a parchment or tablet) used one or more times after earlier writing has been erased. 2 : something having usually diverse layers or aspects apparent beneath the surface. One … Continue reading
Posted in Art, Asia, Books, Europe, History, Libraries, Middle East, Museums, Tech, Writing
Tagged Cambridge, medieval manuscripts, palimpsest
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Saving Traditional Techniques
I first became enamored with traditional Japanese printmaking many years ago when I saw a show at Amsterdam’s Rijksmusem on Van Gogh’s personal collection of prints. The collection is now housed at the Van Gogh Museum. There are many steps … Continue reading
Posted in Art, Asia, Film, Museums, Tech
Tagged Japan, printmaking, Rijksmuseum, Ukiyo-e, Van Gogh Museum
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