Ne Me Quitte Pas

A favorite singer and a favorite song. Happy long weekend!

Artful fencing

Not the sport but rather this amazing ironwork fence I came across the other day in Georgetown. Who says artistry such as this is dead, the leaves look practically real!
Click the photo to enlarge and get a closer look.

Improvisation

The artist Childe Hassam, the American impressionist, painted this piece in 1899, just as his career was blossoming. Now owned by the Smithsonian American Museum of Art, the painting is one of my favorites in the collection.

Even the frame is masterful and adds to the overall beauty of the painting. Speaking of improvisations, I came across this talented pianist on youtube who has a series of these hilarious improvs he did while on chat roulette. I highly recommend watching the clip both for his skills and for a laugh! Enjoy!

Casa Hurtado by Busquet

Along with the well known Gaudi, there were many other modernista architects working during the same time period, including Guillem Busquet. The Spanish architects working in the same vein as the more widely known Gaudi created houses in the city proper of Barcelona such as the Casa Battlo, the Casa Mila, the Palau Guell or the Casa Lleo Morera; but also a number of smaller residences around the city, such as this one I came across one day outside of Barcelona last year. You see so much of the modernista distinctive style here: the curved and unusually shaped facade, the inventive terra cotta work and his use of color through tile. So while traveling, I think this is a reminder(to me!) to always keep your eyes open because you never know what gem you might find even in a quiet suburb!