Safavid Carpet, 16th C. GORGEOUS.

The Wilton Diptych (detail), Unknown Master, 1395

Dostoevsky Moodboard Challenge ( 11 / infinite ) : Demons

Character Aesthetic: Pyotr Stepanovich Verkhovensky

“Listen. I’ve seen a child of six years old leading home his drunken mother, whilst she swore at him with foul words. Do you suppose I am glad of that? When it’s in our hands, maybe we’ll mend things… if need be, we’ll drive them for forty years into the wilderness…. But one or two generations of vice are essential now; monstrous, abject vice by which a man is transformed into a loathsome, cruel, egoistic reptile. That’s what we need! And what’s more, a little ‘fresh blood’ that we may get accustomed to it. Why are you laughing? I am not contradicting myself. I am only contradicting the philanthropists and Shigalovism, not myself! I am a scoundrel, not a socialist. Ha ha ha! I’m only sorry there’s no time. I promised Karmazinov to begin in May, and to make an end by October. Is that too soon? Ha ha! Do you know what, Stavrogin? Though the Russian people use foul language, there’s nothing cynical about them so far. Do you know the serfs had more self-respect than Karmazinov? Though they were beaten they always preserved their gods, which is more than Karmazinov’s done.”

“Well, Verhovensky, this is the first time I’ve heard you talk, and I listen with amazement,” observed Stavrogin. “So you are really not a socialist, then, but some sort of… ambitious politician?”

“A scoundrel, a scoundrel! You are wondering what I am. I’ll tell you what I am directly, that’s what I am leading up to. It was not for nothing that I kissed your hand. But the people-must believe that we know what we are after, while the other side do nothing but 'brandish their cudgels and beat their own followers.’ Ah, if we only had more time! That’s the only trouble, we have no time. We will proclaim destruction….. Why is it, why is it that idea has such a fascination. But we must have a little exercise; we must. We’ll set fires going…. We’ll set legends going. Every scurvy 'group’ will be of use. Out of those very groups I’ll pick you out fellows so keen they’ll not shrink from shooting, and be grateful for the honour of a job, too. Well, and there will be an upheaval! There’s going to be such an upset as the world has never seen before…. Russia will be overwhelmed with darkness, the earth will weep for its old gods….. ”

Translated by Constance Garnett

The mughal emperor Jahangir struck coins with the 12 signs of the zodiac

art movement moodboards: Dutch Golden Age

although dutch painting of the golden age is included in the general european period of baroque painting, and often shows many of its characteristics, most lacks the idealization and love of splendor typical of much baroque work. a distinctive feature of the period is the proliferation of distinct genres of paintings, with the majority of artists producing the bulk of their work within one of these.

Detail of 16th Century painting, School of Antwerp

rené lalique jewelry

pomegranates in still life (details)

hi could u explain the etymology behind arabic geographical terms (magrheb, sham, sudan)

hi, sorry for the late reply.

al- maghreb ( المغرب ) means where the sun sets. Morocco was the furthest point where Arabs could see the sunset so this is why  morocco is named Maghreb in Arabic. But, in english and also in Arabic ( al-maghreb al- arabi), it means the north african region ( Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco and Mauritania). We can also say al- Machraq ( المشرق) al-arabi as opposed to al- mghreb, and it refers to the middle eastern region.

Shem / Sham ( شام) is derived from the name Sem, one of the three sons of Noah ( the believed father of semitic people). it is said that he used to live there, in the laventine. the name was altered from Sem to Shem through the years.

Sudan ( سودان ) has a persian and Arabic origin. it means black people in both languages.

This is so pretty ♡♡♡

Name moodboard for Ksenia @temple-of-bullets

-Pastel

2x07 || 3x06 || 3x08