Cover painting, La Lectora (The Reader) by Fernando Botero, the Colombian artist and sculptor who died at the age of 91 on the fifteenth of this month. One of my favorite contemporary artists, but might I add, the mention of “rotund” in (nearly all) descriptions of his art makes me grind my teeth. Here is an obituary, but really, google Botero and be astounded and delighted by his work as I have been for many years.
Last time, I waxed eloquent about birds and some (amateur, at best) version of birding; this week I wanted to share a little something I discovered about butterflies, because the dazzling variety and sheer number I’ve seen this past month adds up to more than I’ve encountered in my lifetime. Many years ago, I worked on a fascinating memoir, Butterflies on the Roof of the World, about a lepidopterist family settled in the Western Himalaya. One day I will make it up to Bhimtal to see their legendary collection, and, who knows, maybe even the Peruvian Amazon! A girl can dream.
Self Portrait in Silk Shirt by Aidha Badr, 2018
Currently obsessed with smearing October’s Beauty Box on face, especially Cipher’s aptly named “short contact remodelling balm”. You know those (rare) products that honestly reveal results/ potency in one or two applications – this is one of them. I am a huge fan of Lavanya’s careful curations and admire her nerdiness and know-how of all things skincare. Here she is, explaining what makes the two products in this box so outstanding.
The iconic George Michael music video that made superstars of supermodels Naomi, Christy, Cindy, Linda and Tatjana. A moment, in pop culture, music and fashion history that the new Apple series Supermodels revisits.
The Italian writer Elsa Morante’s Lies and Sorcery, one of the most anticipated translations of the year, was in our Book Box.
Minna the Siamese by Elsa Morante
1941, translated from the Italian by Nick Benson
