Hotel d’Hane Steenhuyse: A House Museum of Ancien Régime Elegance in Ghent

Wednesday September 6th, 2023 , Cities of Art, Museums

Imagine you are in Ghent, immersed in the lively atmosphere of Flanders. Might you have the opportunity to take a trip back in time, to a mansion that encapsulates the elegance of bygone eras? Let yourself be transported by the wonder of the Hotel d’Hane Steenhuyse, an 18th-century aristocratic residence that still enchants with its beauty.

I sent our bookmirror_ Chiara Bressan, who had already told us about the wonders of the Adornesdomein in Bruges, to visit this wonderful place. I am happy to share her experience in the blog, which I am sure will inspire your next trips. Ready to step back in time and discover the timeless charm of this unique mansion?

Hotel d’Hane Steenhuyse: a House Museum of Ancien Régime Elegance in Ghent

Scandal at the British Museum: a museum’s loss of credibility

Monday September 4th, 2023 , Cities of Art, Museums, More than art

Could you have imagined that a museum as prestigious as the British Museum could be the scene of an unprecedented scandal?
A major scandal at the British Museum in London has called into question the authority and security of one of the world’s most important museums, an institution that enjoys enormous international respect and houses a collection of over 8 million works of art and historical artefacts. A scandal that comes on top of other thorny issues related to its collections and the claim of some foreign countries to have works of art returned that were stolen many decades ago.

Scandal at the British Museum: a museum’s loss of credibility

The Duomo of Florence: a Renaissance masterpiece that stands the test of time

Wednesday August 30th, 2023 , Cities of Art, Museums

With this post, I want to take you on a fascinating journey through the pages of the history of Italian art and culture, plunging you into the heart of one of the most famous and fascinating architectural works in the world: the Duomo of Florence, also known as the Basilica of Santa Maria del Fiore.

Are you ready to discover its origins, construction and historical significance? I will accompany you in search of the details that make this majestic cathedral a symbol of the city and an icon of the Italian Renaissance.

The Duomo of Florence: a Renaissance masterpiece that stands the test of time

Museums and advertising: the case of the Philadelphia Museum of Art

Monday August 28th, 2023 , Cities of Art, Museums

Is it acceptable to turn a museum into a shop window for advertising?
Recently a case made much discussion in the United States: a maxi-poster dedicated to the DC Comics superhero, Blue Beetle, found a home for a week on the famous steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Yes, the same steps immortalised by Rocky Balboa in the cult 1976 film. Is it right for such an important cultural symbol to become a space for advertising?

Museums and advertising: the case of the Philadelphia Museum of Art

The Loggia dei Lanzi: an open-air museum in the heart of Florence

Wednesday August 23rd, 2023 , Cities of Art, Museums

Dear art lover and tireless explorer of cities rich in history, this post is for you and will lead you to the discovery of a treasure trove of art and architecture in the heart of Florence: the magnificent Loggia dei Lanzi. Located in Piazza della Signoria, surrounded by the prestigious Uffizi Palace and Palazzo Vecchio, this extraordinary medieval construction is an authentic open-air museum. Immersed in the majesty of statues sculpted by the great artists of the past, we will explore the history and secrets of this unique place, where art and culture come together in a timeless embrace.