ALMOND - Prunus amygdalus, syn. Prunus dulcis Almonds are a seedDid you know one of the most interesting facts about almonds of all is they aren’t technically a nut at all? Nope, that’s right!Almonds are actually a seed. They are actually the
the birth of venus - Sandro Botticelli, 1484There exists no documentation on the origins or first owner of the Birth of Venus, which like Pallas and the Centaur was painted on canvas, highly unusual support at the time.By the mid-16th
The church of San Sebastiano, Mantua by Leon Battista Alberti. Magnificent example of the early Renaissance architecture in ItalyIn terms of architectural styles, there are few breaks as dramatic as that between the forms of architecture found in antiquity and
The Story Behind Raphael's Masterpiece 'The School of Athens' It is hard to imagine that the Italian Renaissance, an age of new ideas and enlightenment, took most of its inspiration from the world of Greek and Roman antiquity. Searching for a return
Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy - a renaissance masterpiece of literature that left a legacY It is hard to quantify just how much of an impact Dante’s The Divine Comedy had on Renaissance Italy and beyond. Touted as one of the greatest poets
Michelangelo's David of Florence - The Iconic Statue That Will Take Your Breath Away One of the most recognizable works of art in the entire world, Michelangelo’s David Statue is as emblematic of Florence and the Italian Renaissance as it is
Building an Architectural Masterpiece: Donato Bramante’s St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City - History and Facts A landmark in a city filled with architectural wonders of the world, the Vatican stands out among the Eternal City’s attractions as the palace of
Top 6 Benefits & Uses for Hemp Seed Oil - Part II HEMP OIL IS A WOOD VARNISH AND REPLACEMENT FOR PETROLEUM-BASED OILS Hemp oil has long been used as a wood varnish. Just mix a little of the oil in with
Top 6 Benefits & Uses for Hemp Seed Oil - Part I Hemp Seed Oil Benefits are many and well known. Did you know that people used hemp oil in medicine and in their households in 6000 BCE? Hemp has been around
Details and facts about emblematic renaissance paintings - deep dive into Sandro Botticelli’s Birth of VenusA massive painting that is often noted for its unabashed display of beauty and grandeur, the Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli tells us as
A revolutionary architectural masterpiece - The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore build by Filippo Brunelleschi in FlorenceThe competition between the major cities during the Italian Renaissance resulted in some of the world’s most breathtaking architecture. Florence is chief among
Everything You Need to Know About Ferragosto - A Celebration in the Whole of ItalyItaly is the land of festivals and traditions, few of which are as old and embedded in Italian culture as the August 15th celebration known as
What is the Difference Between Cannabis Sativa Oil, and CBD and THC? There’s a lot of information in the news today about Cannabis Sativa Oil, CBD and THC. Often used interchangeably, these actually refer to very different things in practice. When it
How Was Cannabis Used as a Medical Treatment and Healing Ingredient Throughout the Centuries? One of the trendiest things these days is to talk about cannabis and cannabis oil in relation to their medicinal uses. In actuality, using it as a
How exactly does Cannabis sativa seed oil benefit skin health? If you have some questions about Cannabis Sativa oil, you're not alone. Don't worry - we're here to answer all your frequently asked questions about hemp seed oil. What is Cannabis Sativa
The Humors (Comedy) and Their Meaning Applied to Venetian Carnival Masks The Venetian masks often associated with the Carnival of Venice in Venice, Italy, have a longer cultural history than many people know. Derived from the “art of comedy” or Commedia
An Overview of the Types of Venetian Carnival Masks The Carnival of Venice is one of Europe’s oldest and most well-known traditions. Venetian masks, associated with the carnival and the city alike, are iconic representations of this event that now draws tourists
What Materials Were the First Masks at The Venice Carnival Made Out Of? An equally subversive and individualistic expression of identity, the masks associated with the famous carnival of Venice, Italy each have a different meaning and background associated with them though
History and Curious Facts About How andWhy the Venice Carnival Was BornMuch of the history of the Carnival of Venice is shrouded in mystery and legend. But there is enough fact and actual history for us to go on -
The Three Graces: the Neoclassical marble sculpture of Antonio Canova The erotic sensuality of the marble surfaces of The Three Graces reveals how a cold hard resistant material may we transformed into the illusion of warm flesh by the creative craft of
Apollo and Daphne "Meraviglie"Bernini began carving Apollo and Daphne in 1622 and the marble sculpture became the artist’s first great public triumph. Only 23years old, the sculptor had captured motion, transformation, sexual appetite, and terror in an incredible way that
Michelangelo’s Moses: a triumph of the Italian RenaissanceMichelangelo’s Moses has a complicated and difficult history. Like the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, Pope Julius II commissioned Michelangelo to design and construct his tomb in 1505. Typical of renaissance era popes, this
La Pieta: Michelangelo's First and Unique Roman MasterpieceThis most supremely elegant and graceful sculpture was begun by the young Michelangelo at the age only twenty-three. The pyramidal composition, with the Virgin’s startlingly youthful face at the apex, displays the sculptor’s early
The Statue of Laocoon and His Sons: A Marble Masterpiece found in 1506The Laocoon, the monumental sculptural group by Baccio Bandinelli is a copy of the famous marble sculpture from the late Hellenistic age discovered in Rome on 14 January 1506
The Nile River in Africa and Its Relationto the Four Rivers Fountain of RomeA project commissioned by Pope Innocent X to beautify what was then one of Rome’s most squalid neighborhoods, the Four Rivers Fountain is one among many but
The Ganges River in Asia and Its Relationto the Four Rivers Fountain of RomeThe city of Rome is known for architectural beauty that seamlessly combines its historical antiquity and the present day.Nowhere is this spirit more alive than at the
How the Danube River and Rio de la Plata are Embodiedin the Four Rivers Fountain of RomeStanding tall in the Piazza Navona is a monument to the Eternal City itself and Rome’s cultural influence on the world. Embodied in sculptures
Trevi Fountain: Surprising Facts & LegendsOne of the many icons of the Eternal City, the Fountain di Trevi in Rome dates back to 19 BC and is the terminus of what was then called the Aqua Virgo aqueduct.Measuring 20 meters in
370 Years Since the Four Rivers Fountain was Opened in RomeThis famous fountain is located in the center of the Square Navona occupied in ancient times by the stadium of Domitian.Fueled by the Acqua Vergine and inaugurated on 12 June 1651
The Statues of the Trevi Fountain: Meaning and Glory of RomeAn inescapable part of the Rome experience, the Fountain di Trevi’s awe-inspiring beauty and impressive history make it a must-see attraction in a city overflowing with culture and things to
Tea Tree TI Melaleuca alternifolia (latin) The beneficial healing properties of the tea tree have been discovered and brought to Europe by Captain James Cook. When he first visited New Zealand in 1769, he landed in Mercury Bay. His crew was sick with scurvy, and people
Shea BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII The "Gold" for Women The Shea tree grows only in the African savannah, one of the poorest regions in the world. It is a wild tree that cannot be planted. But it is very resistant to drought and fires and
