In the 20th century, those visiting the south of France claimed nude bathing was traditional, while the rest of Europe and the USA were still developing bathing costumes.
painting
Our ancestors went to the beach and swam there for health. They soon wrapped themselves up in clothing, though, and only in late 19th century dared to dress for the beach.
If there’s one book every head of state and leader should read, it’s Dante’s Inferno. Introduction to a new series showing paintings of this first part of his Divine Comedy.
Overview and table of contents of the new genre of interiors. History, artists, rooms, furniture and decor.
A unique systematic and accessible account of clouds, their naming and classification, illustrated not with photos but an excellent selection of paintings.
A precocious artist whose Naturalist paintings showed the harsh realities of rural poverty and hard labour. A friend of Zola, he also painted leading figures in science.
More views of rolling chalk hills in the south-east of England, here from Edward Stott, Spencer Gore, Paul Nash, Eric Ravilious, and others.
Views of and from rolling chalk hills in the south-east of England, including Samuel Palmer, Richard Burchett, Barbara Bodichon, and the Pre-Raphaelite John Brett.
From dice shooters in a rough tavern, through Bastien-Lepage’s Little Chimneysweep, to poverty in Catania, and destitution in Paris.
His finest narrative paintings from Susanna and the Elders in 1890, through Salome and Homeric Laughter, to Ariadne on Naxos and the Trojan Horse in 1924.
The Eclectic Light Company 