07 Feb 2023

Aristotle’s Heart

Q. As Valentine’s Day draws near: what are some ways in which luminaries of the past have celebrated the heart? . A. If there is one person who would appreciate our love of Valentine’s Day hearts, it’s Aristotle. ‘The seat of the soul and the control of voluntary movement –

28 Jan 2023

Stranger Things Happened

Q. Debates rage around how best to measure viewership across private and public platforms. But, one thing we know for sure: many of us spend much time streaming masses of content. Which shows were particularly popular in 2022? . A. OG cable trackers Nielsen are now using ‘people-powered panels and

25 Jan 2023

Let Them See Cake

Q. January may be the universal ‘eat less, exercise more’ month. But, surely we can have some remembrances of things past through art. What are some notable works that celebrate the decadence of a feast? . A. . Banquet Still Life with self-portrait of the artist in the silver jug Abraham

08 Jan 2023

Famous Art Dogs

Q. Many of us try our hands at drawing our beloved pups in pencil, pastel, paint. Some of us have little to no success. Which lucky dogs have been captured by artists of renown? . A. We’ll start with the Brussels Griffon featured below. Viewers continue to marvel at the

25 Dec 2022

The Art Of Christmas

Q. Merry Christmas! What are some striking paintings associated with Christmas? . A. Jean Hey. The Annunciation. 1490-05 . Leonardo da Vinci. Annunciation. 1472 . Philippe de Champaigne. The Dream of St. Joseph. 1642-43 . José Campeche y Jordán. La Natividad. 1799 . Ridolfo Ghirlandaio. The Nativity with Saints. 1514

20 Dec 2022

Snow On Snow On Snow

Q. As Google will tell many across North America: today is ‘Go Carolling’ (or if you’re in the U.S.: ‘Go Caroling’) Day. For those who a) celebrate Christmas, and b) feel a song coming on –  will you carol in or outside? If you’re like many of us in Canada

17 Oct 2022

The Sweetest Flower

Q. Which flower has the most entrancing scent?   A. ‘The rose looks fair, but fairer we it deem For that sweet odour which doth in it live….’ So writes William Shakespeare in Sonnet 54. Does the rose have an uncommonly sweet odour? Do we deem it fairer because of

31 Aug 2022

Our Online Painting Obsessions

Q. Over the last few years, museums have been active in bringing their artworks online, armed with key facts and historic insights. It’s a great viewing opportunity for those of us who can’t be there in person. As we visit online collections, museums also have a chance to see which

23 Jul 2022

Ever Popular Picture Books

Q. If there is one type of book we read over and over, it’s picture books. As young children, as parents, as sentimental sorts of all ages. Which English language picture books have been consistently most popular over the last decades? . A. Tracking all sales in all modes in

07 Jul 2022

Thor’s Big Salad

Q. What were the original, screenplay, or code names of some well-known movies? . A. Code Name X Those who live in movie towns are used to seeing ‘movie filming here’ arrows with runic symbols or odd code names. How long can they keep superfans at bay? Warner Brothers tried