On December 11th, 1913, Italian police arrested Vincenzo Peruggia in Florence, Italy. Peruggia had stolen the Mona Lisa from the Louvre two years earlier on August 21, 1911. He was captured only when trying to sell the painting to the Uffizi Art Gallery for $500.000. They turned him in.
The Mona Lisa, by Leonardo Da Vinci is considered the most famous portrait of a woman in history. She is beautiful, interesting, and not just a stale portrait; She knew she was being painted, and either had a story to tell, or a secret to keep. There is something about her mysterious smile…
I have an engaging book “Leonardo Da Vinci” by Earnest Raboff, 1978. This was one of many in his “Art for Children” series. The book does a good job of explaining paintings to young children (and even adults) so they can have a better understanding of the artist, and their paintings.
I have a few more “Art for Children” books.
However, some art is not for children. December 11th, 2008, marks the death of Bettie Page. Bettie Page was named the Miss Pinup Girl of the World in 1955. It was a title she kept for several years. Some even say she was the most famous Pinup Girl ever.
I have “The Playmate Book-Five Decades of Centerfolds” by Gretchen Engrin, published 1996, with an introduction by Hugh Hefner (and his comments throughout the book on playmates).
Bettie Page was Miss January, 1955. The reviews were a big success for both Bettie Page and Hugh Hefner. Both of their careers took off, and they each became American icons. This was her first famous photo in Playboy.
Like Mona Lisa before her, there is more to Bettie Page than just a simple photograph. She looked you in the eye with a wink, and gave a mischievous smile. You could see there was something to Bettie Page, she was captivating; She also had a story to tell, or that secret to keep…
However, my wife will not let me have such a tree, or tree decorator in our house. My safest bet for the Christmas tree this year, (every year is something new) is called ‘Tannenbaum Tomes for Toddlers and Tweens.’
This would be my 2024 Christmas tree. The ornaments are small Little Golden Books. In front is a pop-up of the Nativity scene; and the tree is surrounded by various old Christmas books. “The Night Before Christmas” poem is the star on top. My wife loves it, and I think the grandkids will too.
Thanks for reading. (And those pictures…)
Librarytomes 