After the spectacular storm last night I’m thinking about wonder, and specifically 16th century thinker Francesco Patrizi’s list of the 12 sources of wonder, which he published in the 1580s. Patrizi’s twelve sources of the marvelous: —ignorance —fable —novelty —paradox —augmentation —departure from the usual —the “exceedingly natural” —the divine —great utility —the very exact [...]
http://www.encyclopediaoftheexquisite.com/?p=1390
In one of those rare moments that brings together a handful of entries found in Encyclopedia of the Exquisite, Henry VIII of England and Francis I of France met for a month-long gilded romp in 1520, cementing their friendship. In an otherwise deserted area of France, near Calais, a gold-covered temporary palace was built. Pavilions draped [...]
http://www.encyclopediaoftheexquisite.com/?p=1127
“Fireworks” is one of the 100 entries in the Encyclopedia of the Exquisite. Nothing could better express the beauty, outrageous folly and primal attraction that I try to describe in 100 different ways in the book. So, in honor of America’s most fireworks-fueled event, the 4th of July, I’m posting some sparkling images from my [...]
http://www.encyclopediaoftheexquisite.com/?p=674
