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A Greek philosopher and student of Socrates. He founded the Academy in Athens and wrote influential works like The Republic, exploring justice, politics, and knowledge. -
A compass is a navigational instrument that shows direction relative to the Earth's magnetic poles. It typically consists of a magnetic needle that aligns with Earth's magnetic field, pointing north. Used historically in exploration and travel, the compass is essential for navigation in land, sea, and air. There are various types, including magnetic, gyrocompass, and digital versions. -
Lady with an Ermine is a portrait painted by Leonardo da Vinci around 1489–1490. It depicts Cecilia Gallerani, the mistress of Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan. She holds an ermine, symbolizing purity and also referencing the Duke, who was associated with the animal. The painting showcases Leonardo's mastery of light, shadow, and anatomy, and is praised for the subject’s lifelike expression and subtle movement. It’s considered one of the great Renaissance portraits. -
A pocket watch is a small, portable timepiece designed to be carried in a pocket. Popular from the 16th century until the early 20th century, it was often attached to a chain and kept in a waistcoat or jacket pocket. Pocket watches were both practical and decorative, with many featuring detailed craftsmanship. They were gradually replaced by wristwatches but remain valued as collectibles and heirlooms. -
René Descartes was a 17th-century French philosopher, mathematician, and scientist, often called the father of modern philosophy. He is best known for the phrase "I think, therefore I am." Descartes emphasized reason and doubt as tools for understanding truth. He also made important contributions to mathematics, especially in developing Cartesian geometry, which links algebra and geometry. -
Wuthering Heights is a novel by Emily Brontë, published in 1847. It tells the story of the intense and tragic love between Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw, set on the Yorkshire moors. The novel explores themes of passion, revenge, class, and the supernatural. Told through multiple narrators, it uses a dark and emotional tone. Though controversial at first, it is now considered a classic of English literature. -
The Star (L'Étoile) is a pastel artwork by Edgar Degas, created around 1878. It portrays a ballerina performing on stage, likely during a curtain call, with a shadowy figure watching from the wings. The piece captures the elegance and tension of ballet, a frequent subject in Degas's work. Known for its dynamic composition and use of light, the artwork reflects Degas’s interest in movement, theater, and behind-the-scenes moments. -
Ghosts (1881) is a play by Norwegian writer Henrik Ibsen. It explores controversial themes such as family secrets, social hypocrisy, venereal disease, and the consequences of past actions. The story follows Helen Alving as she confronts the truth about her late husband and tries to protect her son from inherited sin. The play was considered shocking at the time for its bold criticism of 19th-century morality, but it later became a key work in modern realist drama. -
The Album is a painting by Édouard Vuillard, created in the late 19th or early 20th century. It depicts an intimate domestic scene, often featuring women engaged in quiet activities like looking through a photo album. Vuillard, part of the Nabis group, was known for his use of soft colors, patterned interiors, and focus on everyday life. The painting reflects his interest in mood, texture, and the emotional depth of ordinary moments. -
Breaker boys were young boys, often between the ages of 8 and 12, who worked in coal mines during the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the United States. Their job was to sit along chutes and pick out slate and other debris from coal by hand. The work was dangerous, dirty, and physically demanding, often leading to injuries or long-term health problems. Photographer Lewis Hine documented their harsh conditions, helping raise awareness and push for child labor reforms. -
Parc Güell is a public park in Barcelona, Spain, designed by architect Antoni Gaudí between 1900 and 1914. Originally intended as a housing project, it became a colorful and imaginative park filled with mosaics, winding paths, and organic shapes inspired by nature. Notable features include the mosaic lizard, the serpentine bench, and the colonnaded pathways. Parc Güell reflects Gaudí’s unique style and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Barcelona’s most famous landmarks. -
The Birth of a Nation is a 1915 silent film directed by D.W. Griffith. It was groundbreaking for its length, narrative structure, and cinematic techniques, influencing the future of filmmaking. However, the film is highly controversial for its racist portrayal of African Americans and its glorification of the Ku Klux Klan. While praised for its technical innovation, it sparked protests and remains a subject of debate due to its offensive content and historical impact. -
Battleship Potemkin is a 1925 silent film directed by Sergei Eisenstein. It dramatizes a 1905 mutiny by Russian sailors against their oppressive officers on the battleship Potemkin. The film is famous for its revolutionary editing style, especially the “Odessa Steps” sequence, which became a landmark in cinematic history. Eisenstein used montage to create emotion and political impact, making the film a powerful piece of Soviet propaganda and a classic of world cinema. -
Rome, Open City is a 1945 Italian film directed by Roberto Rossellini. Set during the Nazi occupation of Rome in World War II, it follows resistance fighters and civilians struggling under fascist rule. Shot on location with a mix of professional and non-professional actors, it is a key work of Italian Neorealism. The film’s raw style and emotional depth reflect the harsh realities of war and helped reshape postwar cinema with its focus on truth and humanity. -
La Terra Trema is a 1948 Italian film directed by Luchino Visconti. It tells the story of a poor fishing family in a Sicilian village struggling against economic exploitation and social injustice. Made in a neorealist style, the film used non-professional actors and real locations to capture the hardships of working-class life. Visconti combined Marxist themes with documentary realism, creating a powerful critique of poverty and inequality in postwar Italy.