Robert Doisneau’s photograph in my living room As a kid, I grew up with a huge print of Robert Doisneau’s photograph, “Le Baiser de l’Hôtel de Ville,” hanging in our living room. I didn’t give it much thought; it was simply part of the family house decor. It wasn’t until years later that I discovered…

Fabergé's era drenched in gems and gold Let’s be honest—unless you’re into bling-bling or over-the-top glamour kitsch, The Russian aristocrat style isn’t everyone's cup of tea. In pre-revolutionary Russia, wealth was tightly held by a small elite of aristocrats, landowners, and royal family members. Their world was a dazzling display of jewels and gold, showcasing…

The journey of artists through biopic movies Thankfully, producers don’t just focus on blockbusters—they also take the time to create beautiful biopic movies that bring the lives of both famous and lesser-known artists to the screen, offering us a source of inspiration. While we know the reality might be a bit different—let's not forget the…

Japanese art with a mysterious edge In 2016, I found myself at the “Fantastique” exhibition at the Petit Palais in Paris, where over 170 works were on display, featuring artists like Goya, Redon, Delacroix, Gustave Doré, and Kuniyoshi. Already a huge fan of Doré, Goya, and Delacroix, I naturally couldn’t resist the chance to see…

Unusual writing systems from all over the world While visiting my 94-year-old neighbour, who was luckily briefly in the hospital, I happened to meet her doctor during his rounds. Our conversation quickly turned to our backgrounds and origins, and both my neighbour and I were captivated by his stories. I had always thought my heritage…