Tag Archives: Paris

Frankenstein Deluxe

Posted on April 4, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

To commemorate the bicentennial of the publication of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein  this year, Les Éditions des Saints Pères in Paris has published a limited edition, deluxe facsimile of the original manuscript in the author’s own handwriting. “Frankenstein is a canon in the history of … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Europe, History, Libraries, Writing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Springtime in Paris

Posted on March 31, 2018 by Brian D. Butler
Posted in Europe, Maps, Tourism | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Drolatic Dreams of Pantagruel

Posted on March 26, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

The Drolatic Dreams of Pantagruel (Les songes drolatiques de Panatgruel) is a bizarre, Brueghel-esque volume of humorous and grotesque woodcuts published in Paris in 1565. Based on the satirical Life of Gargantua and of Pantagruel by François Rabelais, the book … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, Europe | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Un Bouquiniste et Notre Dame

Posted on March 13, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

The last few times that I’ve been in Paris I’ve been disappointed to find that the traditional bouquinistes or booksellers along the Seine have been slowly replaced by vendors of tourist tat. This photo from 1931 by Jean Pierre Yves Petit (aka … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Bookstore Tourism, Europe, Photography | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Reading 1932

Posted on March 7, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

Pablo Picasso, La Lecture (The Reading) 1932 : The artist’s “muse” Marie-Therese Walter asleep in a chair with a book in her lap.  

Posted in Art, Books, Europe | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Bibliotheques Dangereuses

Posted on January 11, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

For those of us who know and love Paris as visitors, the 18th arrondissement conjures images of the atmospheric, hilly streets of Montmartre or the grandeur of the Basilica of Sare-Coeur. The reality of the district is far from our … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Libraries | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Tourist Scams

Posted on January 6, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

If you haven’t been the target of a tourist scam, you probably haven’t been paying attention. Whether you’re visiting New York City or Rome, you are likely to be targeted by con artists and thieves. The helpful infographic below covers … Continue reading →

Posted in Asia, Europe, Tourism, USA | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Mapping the Past

Posted on December 27, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

In one of my frequent sojourns down the rabbit-hole of the internet, I stumbled on these wonderful 19th century railway maps. The map above was created by Joseph Beers in 1884 to depict the railroads of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. His … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, History, Maps, Public Transport | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Museum Match Game

Posted on October 21, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

Vienna-based photographer Stefan Draschan has been having some fun serendipitously capturing museum goers with complimentary attire matching artwork in a clever series. The images, shot in major art museums around Europe, create an amusing, aesthetic dialogue between viewer and painting.

Posted in Art, Europe, Museums, Photography | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

It’s Water Under The Bridge

Posted on August 27, 2017 by Brian D. Butler
Posted in Architecture, Europe, Photography, Tech | Tagged , , | Leave a comment