In 1641, the 26-year old parliamentarian Nicolas Fouquet, who was then the Master of Requests at the Parlement of Paris, acquired the viscounty of Vaux…
View More An Invitation to Vaux-le-VicomteCategory: Mythology
Mythology is an important subject to me as a writer and I plumb the depths of myth often as I research human behavior through the ages. The gods and goddesses did set the tone for the evolution of humanity, after all!
In my diary entry Musing Through Classical Mythology, I highlight a wonderful day I spent exploring the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., spotting paintings and statuary depicting some of mythology’s most famous players. The visuals gave me the opportunity to present one of my all-time favorite poems, “The Triumph of Achilles” by Louise Glück, and to feature one of my poems from my first book of poetry, “Mythical Models for Twenty-First-Century Wives,” in which I use mythology as a jumping off point. Daphne and Persephone are the goddesses whose voices I use for the brooding tone of the poem.
In Rewriting the Myth of Pandora, I take the time to explore the less popular version of the myth set forth by Frances E. Sabin in his book Classical Myths That Live Today, in which he contends it was actually Epimetheus who opened the lid of Pandora’s box that unleashed all manner of ill wills onto mankind. To visually present the most maligned woman in mythology, I use paintings in which she is always draped in flowing fabric. This is an important aspect of the diary entry because I also present antique textiles by Pandora de Balthazár that I absolutely fell in love with when I saw them.
Debating Da Vinci in Milan
This essay exploring the genius of Leonardo da Vinci in Milan is included in my most recent book The Modern Salonnière. The 34 other essays in…
View More Debating Da Vinci in MilanThe Paris of a Pagan
This essay examining the military career of the last pagan emperor while he resided in Paris is included in my most recent book The Modern…
View More The Paris of a PaganThe Fashionable Grecian Supper
This essay about a fashionable Grecian supper held by Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun is included in my book The Modern Salonnière. The 34 other essays in…
View More The Fashionable Grecian SupperA Passion for Paestum
This essay featuring three important perceptions of the archaeological site in Paestum, Italy, is included in my new book The Modern Salonnière. The 34 other…
View More A Passion for PaestumThe Tapestry of History
In just a few hours, the modern ideal of a fairy tale wedding will take place at Windsor Castle. A trip I took to the…
View More The Tapestry of HistoryThe New Face of Religious Zeal
As I circle the domed space, I approach the front of the pulpit for the third time. I can’t believe how perfect it is that…
View More The New Face of Religious ZealFar from Oblivious in Bologna
If you find yourself strolling along the streets of Bologna near the city’s center, don’t be surprised if you turn a corner and come upon…
View More Far from Oblivious in BolognaExploring Frankfurt with Goethe
I am returning to Frankfurt am Main next week to attend Heimtextil for the second time, an experience I truly enjoyed last year for the…
View More Exploring Frankfurt with GoetheMy Porcelain Bucket List
When I am planning literary design adventures, I look for experiences that give me the feeling of transcendence—encounters during which I am conscious of having…
View More My Porcelain Bucket List