Sitting Girl by Theodor Lundberg at the Stockholm National Museum in Sweden

January 21, 2024

Sitting Girl by Theodor Lundberg at the Stockholm National Museum in Sweden This sculpture is made of plaster cast and was a gift to the museum in 1972 by Otto Meyer’s art foundry. As with most of Lundberg’s creations and sculpture of women we note the projection of power, strength and beauty. In particular a classical beauty. Theodor Lundberg was a Swedish sculptor who was born in Stockholm in 1852 and died in Rome in 1927. He grew up in a poor home and became fatherless at a young age when he also apprenticed with the medal engraver Lea Ahlborn at a Mint. He later became a student at The Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts, then became a professor at the academy in 1908

Vendôme Column erected by Napoleon I in Paris, France

January 20, 2024

In this episode, we’ll be visiting the Vendôme Column erected by Napoleon I in Paris, France. Welcome to Art, Culture & Books with me, Anthony King. The Vendôme Column was erected by Napoleon I in Paris, France. The original column was started in 1806 at Napoleon’s direction and completed in 1810. Modelled after Trajan’s Column, it aimed to commemorate the triumph at Austerlitz. The exterior featured 425 spiralling relief bronze plates, crafted from captured cannon, a narrative propagated by Napoleon’s propaganda, although only 180 cannons were truly seized at Austerlitz. Sculptor Pierre-Nolasque Bergeret designed these plates, and a team of approximately 30 sculptors executed the vision. Crowned with laurels and dressed in Roman attire, Napoleon, depicted bare-headed, held a sword in his right hand and

The Girl Sleeping in the Rock by Theodor Lundberg at the Stockholm National Museum in Sweden

January 19, 2024

The Girl Sleeping in the Rock by Theodor Lundberg at the Stockholm National Museum in Sweden This fascinating marble sculpture was acquired by the museum in 1923 and it’s dimensions are 40 x 39 x 18.5 cm. We note it’s slight erotic overtone but also it’s projected female strength. We note; Power, strength and beauty. We can also see the influence of Auguste Rodin who was friends with the creator. Theodor Lundberg was a Swedish sculptor who was born in Stockholm in 1852 and died in Rome in 1927. He grew up in a poor home and became fatherless at a young age when he also apprenticed with the medal engraver Lea Ahlborn at a Mint. He later became a student at The Royal Swedish

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