St. Jerome as a Hermit and Penitent from Strasbourg by Veit Wagner at Bode Museum in Berlin, Germany

January 18, 2024

Welcome to “Art, Culture & Books” with me Anthony King. Today I’ll be taking you on a photographic tour of ‘St. Jerome as a Hermit and Penitent’ from Strasbourg, perhaps by Veit Wagner at the Bode Museum in Berlin, Germany. The art was made around 1500-1510 in linden wood. As always, I take all the photos and videos myself on location, ensuring you get an up-close and personal view of the fascinating world of art and culture. I’ll be popping in and out with commentary as this video progresses but for now let’s take a close up look. Active in Strasbourg from 1495 until his death around 1517, Veit Wagner was a German sculptor renowned for numerous wooden carvings attributed to him. While certainty regarding

Gilded Wooden Golden Throne of Tutankhamun

January 18, 2024

Welcome to “Art, Culture & Books” with me Anthony King. Today I’ll be taking you on a tour of the Gilded Wooden Golden Throne of Tutankhamun from the Egyptian 18th Dynasty (1336-1327 BC). This was one of the many treasures found in the Pharaoh’s burial chamber. It’s made of wood with golden gilding, silver, glass, and precious gemstones. The golden throne was a symbol of power and a projection of status. Look out for his Queen amongst the incredible artwork. As always, I take all the photos and videos myself on location, ensuring you get an up-close and personal view of the fascinating world of art and culture. I’ll be popping in and out with commentary as this video progresses but for now let’s take

Stockholm Public Library by Swedish architect Gunnar Asplund in Stockholm, Sweden

January 17, 2024

Welcome to “Art, Culture & Books” with me Anthony King. Today I’ll be taking you on a photographic tour of the Stockholm Public Library by Swedish architect Gunnar Asplund in Stockholm, Sweden. It was established in 1928 and is definitely an architectural highlight in Stockholm. As always, I take all the photos and videos myself on location, ensuring you get an up-close and personal view of the fascinating world of art and culture. I’ll be popping in and out with commentary as this video progresses but for now let’s take a close up look. Stockholm Public Library, designed by Asplund, embarked on construction in 1924, showcasing a distinctive rotunda exterior inspired by the Barrière Saint-Martin, in Paris. Also known as La Rotonde Stalingrad, I have

The Town Hall Square by Jens Søndergaard which is at the National Gallery of Denmark

January 16, 2024

Welcome to “Art, Culture & Books” with me Anthony King. Today I’ll be taking you on a photographic tour of The Town Hall Square by Jens Søndergaard which is at the National Gallery of Denmark. The oil on canvas was painted in 1930. As always, I take all the photos and videos myself on location, ensuring you get an up-close and personal view of the fascinating world of art and culture. I’ll be popping in and out with commentary as this video progresses but for now let’s take a close up look. Danish expressionist painter Jens Søndergaard, born on October 4, 1895, and died on May 21, 1957 was renowned for his vibrant landscapes that vividly conveyed his deep connection to nature and the sea,

Apollo and the Nine Muses from 1580 at The Victoria and Albert Museum, London

January 15, 2024

In this episode, we’ll be visiting Apollo and the Nine Muses from 1580 at The Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Welcome to Art, Culture & Books with me, Anthony King. Created in the late sixteenth century, Apollo and the Nine Muses is an oak panel that blends French mid-16th-century carving styles. Despite its French influence, the piece is believed to have been crafted in England towards the close of the same century. Depicting Apollo and the Nine Muses, the artwork symbolizes the Arts at large, making it suitable for an esteemed chamber in a grand residence. Commonly utilized as overmantels, these panels, in conjunction with the chimney-piece, constituted the focal point of the room. Courtiers appreciated such mythological adornments, indicative of their education and grasp

Benediktbeuern Abbey in Bavaria, Germany

January 14, 2024

In this episode, we’ll be visiting Benediktbeuern Abbey in Bavaria, Germany. Welcome to Art, Culture & Books with me, Anthony King. A famous pop star actually introduced me to this Abbey. Yes, that’s not what you were probably expecting to hear but there you go! He opened his tour about 50 miles away and he opened it to the music of Carl Orff and his Carmina Burana. Carmina Burana, Latin for “Songs from Beuern” which is short for Benediktbeuern was a subject in a book I wrote about the pop star and his link to classical music. I was lucky enough to work for him a lot over the years and travelled to Munich in 1999 for one of his shows (More on Carmina Burana

In sorrow by Theodor Lundberg at the National Museum in Stockholm, Sweden

January 13, 2024

This marble sculpture which is just over 1 metre long is in the Sculpture Courtyard of the Stockholm National museum and was made in 1900. It almost has a slight translucent look to it. The extremely beautiful woman is huddled up and hiding her face. Her hands are clasped. Its almost like the viewer has caught the subject unawares and she hides from us. We might even go as far to say as it’s as if the viewer is a voyeur but has been caught in the act just like Peeping Tom from the legend of Lady Godiva, in probably the most famous example of voyeurism ever. Voyeurism is the sexual interest in or practice of watching other people engaged in intimate behaviours, such as

The Raphael Cartoons by Raphael at The Victoria and Albert Museum, London

January 12, 2024

Welcome to “Art, Culture & Books” with me Anthony King. Today I’ll be taking you on a video and photographic tour of The Raphael Cartoons by Raphael at The Victoria and Albert Museum, London. As always, I take all the photos and videos myself on location, ensuring you get an up-close and personal view of the fascinating world of art and culture. I’ll be popping in and out with commentary as this video progresses but for now let’s take a close up look. Born on either March 28 or April 6, 1483, Raphael, an Italian painter and architect of the High Renaissance, created the Raphael Cartoons, a set of seven full-scale designs for tapestry. Alongside Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, he is part of the

Diana on the Stag by Paulus Ättinger at the Bode Museum in Berlin, Germany

January 11, 2024

Welcome to “Art, Culture & Books” with me Anthony King. Today I’ll be taking you on a photographic tour of Diana on the Stag by Paulus Ättinger which he created around around 1610 and it’s at the Bode Museum in Berlin, Germany. Now, this is a special piece… Diana was the twin sister of Apollo and the goddess of the moon. As always, I take all the photos and videos myself on location, ensuring you get an up-close and personal view of the fascinating world of art and culture. I’ll be popping in and out with commentary as this video progresses but for now let’s take a close up look. This incredible piece was created by Paulus Ättinger who was a German who was active

Statuette of a hippopotamus at The Egyptian Museum in Cairo

January 10, 2024

Welcome to “Art, Culture & Books” with me Anthony King. Today I’ll be taking you on a tour of a striking object, which in my opinion is a standout – The Statuette of a hippopotamus at The Egyptian Museum in Cairo from the 2nd intermediate period and found in Thebes. In Ancient Egyptian culture, Hippopotami were associated with life, regeneration, and rebirth. This faience which means glazed ceramic ware, is a highlight in the museum, in my opinion. For those familiar with the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, this might look very familiar and similar to “William the Hippo” which serves as an informal mascot of the museum. As always, I take all the photos and videos myself on location, ensuring you