Leopold in New York

Or, sadomasochism of black and white.

About April 1932. Color, contrast and detail restored. New-York Historical Society, https://www.nyhistory.org/blogs/the-aristocrat-of-harlem-the-cotton-club

Executive portrait with central warmth

To wear to warm the globe

In the days of fur, René Lalique crafted glass hood ornaments lighted in colors from within.

Image

He speaks of his beauty with Mme. Récamier

Vestment

To prepare for the dawn, garb yourself in plush.

The idea of texture: homage to Edward Gorey

Source: “Curtis Gillette.” George Grantham Bain Collection, Library of Congress, http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/ggb2006000900/. Photoshopped.

First class: from the early days of air travel

Sources: National Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress, http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/npc2008008383/ and http://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/npco/item/npc2007018422/. Photoshopped.

Unconscious despair: the face of the consolation prize

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“The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. What is called resignation is confirmed desperation. From the desperate city you go into the desperate country, and have to console yourself with the bravery of minks and muskrats. A stereotyped but unconscious despair is concealed even under what are called the games and amusements of mankind.”

— Walden, chapter 1

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Bravery: “Finery, fine clothes.” — Oxford English Dictionary, definition 3b

Thinking of Titian, we fall asleep and become Aretino

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72fpg4IO-yk

Click the pictures to enlarge. The link requires audio as well as video.