art – The Book of Faustus

A Brief History of Powerful Gemstone Amulets

Last Judgment, Hans Memling, 1467 – 1471

One of the earliest works of the Flemish master, Hans Memling. One side, of little interest, shows the souls of the righteous calmly queuing up to Heaven’s gate. The right panel depicts monstrous demonic figures shoveling the Damned into Hell’s brackish pits.

Clear, deep coloration creates a rich contrast between the two opposed realms of the dead. This piece is an excellent example of the emerging trend especially in Flemish works of exquisite textural details in oil work.

The Little Book of Cosmic Horrors

Rammstein – Angst

Rammstein has been releasing amazing music videos lately. End of speech.

Stuck In My Head…

As a violinist, some of my favorite composers include Monteverdi, Lully, Handel, and Purcell–masters of harmonious and passionate string composition. Though I have played professionally in the past, I have always considered myself a mediocre musician. I would sell my soul (again) for the ability to properly play Purcell.

This fantasia by Purcell has been stuck in my head all week. Maybe if I post it here, it will get unstuck.

Head of Medusa – Benedetto Pistrucci, 1840-1850

Red jasper mounted in gold with white enamel. Inspired by the Rondanini Medusa in the Munich Glyptothek. This 5.3cm x 5.3cm masterwork features such fine details that are barely visible to the naked eye. Close inspection shows deep carved intricacies of hair, feathers, and other embellishments.

Durer: The Sea Monster and the Beast (1497)

*“And there was another sign in heaven: and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads, and ten horns: and on his head seven diadems.” – Apocalypse 12:3*

*“All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast” – (13:8)*

“Then I saw another beast which rose out of the earth; it had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon” (13:11)

Selections from Clavis Artis, C. XVII/XVIII

The Arrival of Demons, Khadim Ali b. 1978

Angelic Bodies of Roberto Ferri

NeoBaroque master Roberto Ferri, graduate of the Academy of Fine Arts, Rome. These three examples present Baroque and Classical ideals of the male figure in exaggerated musculature which is dramatically contoured in the chiaroscuro.

Lucifer, 2013. The physical proportions and posing give the impression of La *génie du mal*

Find his virtual gallery here.