Mallory’s Camera

     “Because it’s there.” That’s the famous answer George Mallory gave in regard as to why he wanted to climb Mount Everest, the tallest mountain in the world. He failed to reach the summit on his first two attempts, but his determination made him try the climb again in 1924. Unfortunately, like many others …

Mask of a Faun

        The Italian Renaissance artist Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni (1475-1564) is well-known for his art that strikes a sense of awe into the hearts and minds of the masses. The famous Statue of David and the remarkable painting on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel are only two of the numerous …

The Maxberg Specimen

        I remember what I wanted to see during my school trips to the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. It was always the last stop on our trip, but we’d get to the fourth floor eventually. The fourth floor was home to the dinosaur exhibit. Great skeletal remains …

The Swedish Funeral Regalia

        With summer quickly coming to a close, I think the best way to end the season is by covering a very recent theft. This theft took place over the summer of this year in Sweden.  It’s a fine example of a “smash-and-grab” job, which shockingly took place in broad daylight. The …

The Lost Sarcophagus Of Menkaure

        The Pyramids of Giza are one of the most famous tourist attractions in the world. Giza itself covers the gigantic burial ground of ancient Letopolis. There are three Great Pyramids. Each one contains a burial chamber in the rock located roughly in the center of the main structure. They contain other …

Portrait of a Young Man

        It’s undeniable that Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo were two of the most famous artists from the Renaissance period. Others were heavily influenced by their work, such as the fellow Italian Renaissance artist Raphael (1483-1520). Raphael was known for painting Madonnas (representations of the Virgin Mary either alone or holding her …

The White Shadow

        The British movie director Alfred Hitchcock shouldn’t be unfamiliar to fans of horror movie classics. His films, such as Psycho and The Birds were the definition of horror in the early 1960’s. However, some films made by him at the beginning of his career failed to impress audiences. One such film …

The Irish Crown Jewels

        Upon hearing the name of St. Patrick, your mind might go to the March 17th holiday when people celebrate their Irish pride. With all the excitement this holiday brings, it’s easy to overlook a chivalric group associated with the name. That group was the Order of St. Patrick. Founded by King …

The Honjo Masamune Sword

        Did you grow up playing the Final Fantasy series or Chrono Trigger? If so, you may have come across a very powerful weapon, the Masamune sword.  That’s not a fictional name made up by the game creators. Masamune was a legendary sword smith. It’s important to know that these weren’t just …

The Just Judges

        It’s nothing short of miraculous that the artwork in museums all over the world has stood the test of time. Over the centuries, famous works of art have been moved, stolen, lost, and even partially or fully destroyed. Such is the case of the Ghent Altarpiece. This 15th century masterpiece lost …