Marc Chagall, The Fiddler, 1913

It may be summer outside, but this painting is giving us chills. Don’t miss “Discovering the Impressionists: Paul Durand-Ruel and the New Painting” before it closes on September 13. “Lavacourt under Snow,” c. 1878–80, by Claude Monet (The National Gallery, London. Sir Hugh Lane Bequest, 1917)

Today I bought a siddur for Shabbat and weekdays which we also use in both synagogues I’m going to. I have no clue yet when to recite which prayers at home but I hope I will learn it soon. (Help is warmly welcome!)

Old Jewish cemetery #bosnia #sarajevo #streets #anti_fascism (at Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina)

art history meme • [6/9] paintings: francisco goya - el quitasol (the parasol)

The Parasol is one of a cartoon series of oil on linen paintings made by the painter Francisco Goya. This series of paintings was specifically made in order to be transformed into tapestries that would be hung on the walls of the Royal Palace of El Pardo in Madrid, Spain.

In his paintings, Goya often joins French fashion to the Spanish one. The woman in this particular painting is sitting on the ground, possibly resting from a long walk. She is dressed in French style, according the time period. She is holding a fan in her right hand, while a little dog is cuddled in her lap. The young man is holding the parasol (umbrella) in order to shade the woman’s face. He is dressed in the so-called majo style, meaning he is dressed like a poor person for the time period. His hair gathered in a net, and his belt is made of colorful silk. In the background we can see dark clouds in the sky and the trees swaying in the wind, possibly signaling a storm coming. The painting has very calm warmth it emits, which is then offset by the tree that seems to be blowing in pretty strong wind. The way the boy is standing, with one foot on the rock and one not, he seems to be triumphantly shading the woman from the harmful rays of the sun, and the possible storm.

Martha Nelson Joins Yahoo as Global Editor-in-Chief

By Kathy Savitt, CMO and Head of Media

Yahoo Media, including Yahoo’s new Digital Magazines, are comprised of some of the media industry’s strongest editorial and publishing talent, and today I’m happy to announce our newest addition, Global Editor-in-Chief, Martha Nelson.  Martha joins us on August 17th and will be based in our New York office, reporting to me. 

As an accomplished editor, proven brand innovator and media veteran, Martha adds to Yahoo’s established media business to continue to elevate our world-class products and journalism. In January 2014, we launched our first Digital Magazines and have since built 13 in the United States and 30 globally, which are rapidly rising to the top of their categories. With her proven track record of building successful brands as the founding editor of InStyle and for the growth of People (and People.com) into a globally recognized brand, I’m excited to work with Martha to further grow our Digital Magazines.

Most recently, Martha was the first female editor-in-chief of Time Inc., where she oversaw the editorial content for the media company’s 21 brands.  She has received many accolades for her outstanding work, including “Editor of the Year” by Adweek and Forbes Most Powerful Women three years in a row.  She is a trustee of both the National Trust for Historic Preservation and The Actors Fund, serves as a judge for the Peabody Awards.

Moses and the Burning Bush, Moses receives the Tablets of the Law, Moses reading the Torah, Moses at Mount Nebo - Dura-Europos synagogue, Syria, c. 244 CE. Tempera over plaster. One of the oldest synagogues in the world, the Dura-Europos synagogue preserves some of the most precious and unique examples of Jewish art in history. These four portraits of Moses are found on the center of the synagogue’s western wall, above the Torah niche. Note his depiction with a square halo.

On Wednesday, July 29, over 700 people attended the members’ opening at The Contemporary Jewish Museum (The CJM) for Amy Winehouse: A Family Portrait and the companion exhibition, You Know I’m No Good which are on view through November 1, 2015

Details of Judith Mosaics by Romanian Jewish artist, Lilian Broca. (Judith Meeting Bethulia Elders / Judith Praying in the Desert) 

Pouran Jinchi, Black and Blue at Leila Heller Gallery through October 24, 2015.

Feast Day (Rabbi with Lemon) by Marc Chagall. 1914, oil on canvas. 

Currently making a presentation about this artist, whose work I’ve seen in the Tretyakov Gallery.