In May 1810, after learning that the Spanish authorities had been deposed, it was understood that authority should rest with the people. The hour of independence had arrived. It was at that moment that the then Lieutenant Colonel Cornelio Saavedra announced: “Gentlemen, now I say that it is not only time, but that you should… Continue reading May Revolution
David with the Head of Goliath
On May 1606 Caravaggio was accused of murder and fled from Rome to distant lands (Naples, Sicily, Malta) to escape the price that had been placed on his head. His self-portrait as Goliath’s severed head, held by David his executioner, was sent to the papal court in 1610 as a kind of painted petition for… Continue reading David with the Head of Goliath
The South Sea Bubble
The South Sea Bubble was a brief period of wild financial speculation in Britain. It was centred on the fortunes of the South Sea Company, which shipped people from Africa to become enslaved labourers on plantations in Central and South America. British aristocrats and leading politicians were shareholders, which gave a legitimacy to the company… Continue reading The South Sea Bubble
Artistic style transfer
In fine art, especially painting, humans have mastered the skill to create unique visual experiences through composing a complex interplay between the content and style of an image. Thus far the algorithmic basis of this process is unknown and there exists no artificial system with similar capabilities. However, in other key areas of visual perception… Continue reading Artistic style transfer
Allegory of Tulipomania
Monkeys in contemporary 17th century Dutch dress are shown dealing in tulips. A satirical commentary on speculators during the time of “Tulip Mania”, an economic bubble that centered around rare tulip bulbs. At left, one monkey points to flowering tulips while another holds up a tulip and a moneybag. Bulbs are weighed, money is counted,… Continue reading Allegory of Tulipomania
Flora’s Wagon of Fools
The flower goddess Flora, with tulips in her hand, is enthroned on a triumphal chariot, here represented as a carnival cart. She is accompanied by three men in fool’s caps. ‘Tosspot’ cannot resist drink, ‘Wealthwill’ clutches a bag of gold, and ‘Lie-all’ exercises his smooth tongue. Mistress ‘Rake-it-in’ weighs her money, and the bird of… Continue reading Flora’s Wagon of Fools