My father will be 85 this year—which gives me more reason than ever to want to visit him frequently. He lives in Hawaii, on the island of Kauai, where in-bound travelers are required to observe a 14 day quarantine upon arrival. This makes a Hawaii vacation quite complicated, indeed. Being denied a Hawaiian holiday is far less costly than the price some have paid due to the virus. But I'd like to see my family, just the same. This watercolor, painted in the 1970's or 1980's, was created by my former 4H leader, Mrs. Jean Gregg. She supervised our horsemanship program and I bought the picture from her once I had graduated from college and had begun to work. It...
Eleven years ago, we spent eight days in Assisi. Yesterday I described the Medieval walled city as one of the most enchanting places I've ever visited. One cannot ignore a major source of this enchantment: the spiritual and physical presence of the great saint, Francis of Assisi. Walking through the narrow alleys and climbing the steep stairways, one cannot help but imagine Francis himself once clambering along the same passageways, 800 years earlier. One may still gaze-out over the distant plains—just as the saint did, too. And then there's his tomb, grounded in the crypt of the Basilica of Saint Francis (built 1228 to 1251). For believers, approaching his holy relics is a moving, perhaps overwhelming, experience. There he is! Because of the relics...
Eleven years ago, kind friends offered us the use of their charming apartment in Assisi, Italy. So that year, instead of hopscotching from one Italian city to another (as we usually would do), we took the plunge, spending eight days in one spot. It was a very different kind of holiday for us—and one I remember very, very fondly. I'm fortunate to have travelled a lot. Assisi may be the most enchanting place I've ever visited. Assisi is built of beautiful pink and cream-colored stone—nestled snugly into the sides of a steep hilltop—which reflects the light in a soft, flattering glow. The steep hillside meant that our "next door" neighbors were actually twenty feet above (and below) us, allowing a wonderful measure of...
This early Twentieth Century oil painting shows a country field in Breslau—at the time, a part of Germany. After World War II, the larger region (called Silesia) was sub-divided, much of it being re-allocated to Poland. The Poles re-named Breslau "Wroclaw" and drove-out its German inhabitants—a massive redistribution of the population. None of the violence or heartbreak of the war or its aftermath is suggested by this otherwise placid country landscape. The painting, by Gerhard Loch, has been signed (on back) as a wedding present for his friend, Franz Nitsche, a fellow artist (whom Loch calls "my color-friend," a painter). I bought it at a Sunday antique fair in Frankfurt; I was in Germany for my bi-annual trip to Messe Frankfurt (a...
Prague is a favorite, with it's mix of heavy Medieval Gothic and whimsical Bohemian Art Nouveau. The city was one of the crown jewels of the Austro-Hungarian Empire—once the seat of Bohemian kings and Holy Roman Emperors—and it remains wonderfully atmospheric today (especially "off-season"). Because of its dramatic architectural legacy, Prague is often used as a movie setting for many other (more expensive and difficult) cities. This aquatint shows Hradčany, the ancient Ninth Century castle complex on Prague's highest hilltop. In this print by Czech artist Tavik František Šimon, the castle is joined by Saint Vitus's Cathedral (whose construction began in 1344, over a much older church). The Cathedral even includes a stained glass window by Czech artist Alphonse Mucha (1931,...
Rome is one of my favorite places! I could happily visit The Eternal City every year. And no Roman sojourn is complete without a visit to Saint Peter's Basilica—the crown jewel in the tiara of the Catholic Church. In this place, so many of my favorite things come together! First: my faith. As a Catholic, I am overwhelmed by the importance of the Basilica to so many fellow Catholics from around the world. Standing at "the crossroads" of a billion pilgrimages, one cannot help but feel that s/he is only a small part of something much, much bigger. I appreciate being reminded of this important lesson; No, I am not the center of the world. Saint Peter, charged as first...
Sadly, this year's travel plans have been supplanted with overdue home projects, including the hanging and cataloging of all my paintings and other artwork. So this summer, in lieu of an overseas getaway, I gazed wistfully at framed pictures as I hung them—many of them reminding me of my favorite travel destinations. Let me share a few of them with you. Alas, this shall be the extent of my romantic journeys for Summer 2020. While I have little to complain of, I hope you fare better than I have. Over the years, I've spent many summer weeks in Oxford, England—the romantically bustling college town that is, at once, old and new. Multiple independent colleges form the conglomerate university, each with its own buildings,...
Today, Easter Sunday, is such an important day in my life. As a Catholic, Easter is the highpoint of the Christian calendar and the pinnacle of my year. It was on Easter Sunday—thirty years ago today!—that my partner (now my husband) and I became a couple. And it was seven years ago today that we brought home our delightful little pup, Benji, who has been a constant joy in our lives (shown here in my shop on Hudson Street, NYC). The current shut-in and shut-down has been such a challenge—physically, economically, spiritually—and I long for our return to (close to) normal. Yet I realize that, so far, I've been one of the luckier ones and I remain grateful that I have...
Tonight we mark the start of Passover, known as Pesach in Hebrew. In the Book of Exodus, the Jews—who were then enslaved in Egypt—were instructed to paint their door posts and lintel with the blood of a spring lamb. This would designate the homes of God's faithful and he would spare them as he "passed-over" the land that night, killing the first born male of every human family and animal in Egypt. This event, the last of the Ten Plagues that afflicted Egypt, was part of God's terrifying plan to demonstrate his power to the Egyptian unbelievers—and to break the chains of the Israelites' enslavement, allowing them to escape Egypt. At Passover Seder dinners tonight, Jews around the world will...
A sincere and heartfelt thank you to all the customers who have remembered LEO Design over the last couple of weeks. This is such a difficult time. Everyone is affected in some way; some are being crushed. My heart breaks for my fellow brick-and-mortar merchants (and restaurateurs)—some of whom were just getting-by as it was—whose livelihoods may succumb to the pandemic. And, of course, there are too many who will be physically harmed as well. It is against this fraught background that I express my gratitude to the customers who have continued to support us. In an abundance of caution, I have suspended adding any new merchandise to my collection. Everything that is now in-stock (to be shipped) has been "quarantined" under my protection since...
This morning, 1 April 2020, the First Lady's spokeswoman, Ann LeHay, announced that Melania Trump would be overseeing a major redecorating effort of the White House Library throughout the summer and early autumn months. The contractor overseeing the project, William Taylor, is promising a mid-October completion date—giving the First Family sufficient time to celebrate Ivanka Trump Kushner's 39th birthday, the day before Halloween, in the newly decorated space. What surprised many architectural design historians is that the administration will be converting the room into a Billiards Parlor. Says the spokeswoman, "The books will be transferred to the Library of Congress and stored there safely until further decisions are made about their future." When asked why the library is being converted into...
I have always loved artistic metalwork—and the brawnier, the better. While in New York, I made note of (and photographed) two different types of sculptural foundry work, both artistic, which I admire and like. First, there's the "high end, fine art" type, usually crafted as a precious, one-off piece and sometimes used to adorn architectural exteriors or interiors. The second type of casting—and potentially just as impressive—are those metal architectural elements which are beautifully modeled and then reproduced by the dozens, hundreds or thousands. The stainless steel bas relief sculpture, shown above, is to be found at 50 Rockefeller Plaza (near the site of the Center's Christmas tree). It is a great example of important, bespoke fine art metalwork. It was commissioned...
When I first moved to New York, I lived for four years in the West Fifties. This was before I opened LEO Design and, thus, still enjoyed days off on the weekend. Central Park became my backyard. Many hours were spent relaxing in Sheep's Meadow (photo below). On this trip, it was far too cold for sunbathing! But I did reminisce as I crossed the 15 acre "pasture"—enroute to visit an elderly friend on the Eastside. I tried a new route across Central Park, clutching a bag of Chinese food in one hand and my cameraphone in the other. I came upon the Carousel—which I had never seen before—entranced by its hauntingly jolly Wurlitzer tune. The merry-go-round itself was built in 1908 and...
A confluence of circumstances prompted a late winter's trip to Manhattan—where LEO Design began 25 years ago: a customer delivery (hurrah!), a dental check-up (meh) and our annual visit to the tax accountant (TBD). And it was thirty years ago, this month, that I first moved to New York City. Since then, in many ways, the city has changed substantially in color and character. In other ways, the pulse of the city is (more or less) just as it's always been. On this visit, I hit the sidewalk with the same rush of energy and sense of potential as I did when I was a 26 year old boy—invigorated by the bustle and purpose of the New Yorkers surrounding...
New Year's Day is often replete with resolutions—sincere resolve to work hard and make oneself better in the months to come. 2020 provides Americans the opportunity to make our country a better place, thereby making the World a better place, too. Click on the photo above to learn more about this cap, designed here at LEO Design. Most of all, we wish you a happy, productive and satisfying year ahead! Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com). We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co. Antiques (www.mahlaantiques.com) or in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique Center of...
Merry Christmas, one and all! Thank you to the many customers who have patronized LEO Design this Holiday Season—including those who have just discovered us and those who have been supporting us for years. Shown here, a painting of "The Virgin and The Child" painted by the Medieval Venetian master, Paolo Veneziano (who lived approximately 1324-1358). During his life, he was the premier painter of the Venetian Republic and, with his sons, painted the "Weekday Altarpiece" in Venice's Basilica of San Marco. He is considered the founder of the Venetian School of Painting and, though he is influenced by the earlier Byzantine style, he points the way toward the Gothic style, yet to be fully developed. This painting hangs in...
Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving
and blessed abundance in the year to come.
-Kimo & the Team at LEO Design
Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co. Antiques (www.mahlaantiques.com) or in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique Center of Strabane (www.antiquecenterofstrabane.com).
Or call to arrange to visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only). 917-446-4248
"Cathedral Square," within the Kremlin walls, is a cluster of several Russian Orthodox churches from the 14th, 15th and 16th Centuries. Though similarly whitewashed and topped with gold-leafed domes, each has a unique history and purpose. The Cathedral of the Assumption (1479) is the traditional site for royal coronations and the burial of church metropolitans and patriarchs. The Cathedral of the Archangel (1508) is the traditional burial place for Russia's princes and tsars, including Tsarevich Ivan Ivanovitch who was killed at 27 by his father, Tsar Ivan IV (the Terrible). The royal remains are enclosed in stone sarcophagi which are placed within bronze and glass receptacles—right on the main floor of the church. The Cathedral of the Annunciation (1489) includes a "porch...
Amongst the most elegant of Moscow buildings is the Great Kremlin Palace, built within the Kremlin's walls and completed in 1849. It was commissioned by Tsar Nicholas I in 1837 as the new Moscow residence for the royal family (when visiting from the capital, Saint Petersburg). His instructions to architect Konstantin Thon was "to emphasize the greatness of Russian autocracy." The handsome marigold and white building conjoins and expands-upon the earlier royal residences—the Terem Palace (1637) and the Faceted Palace (1491)—and is attached to some of the nine cathedrals in the Kremlin. It has five sumptuously-appointed ball rooms, two of which were conjoined to form a large council chamber for the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. In recent years, the two...
I am a sucker for Late Nineteenth Century "Gothic Revival" terra-cotta buildings like Saint Pancras Station in London or the Potter Building in downtown Manhattan. Their aesthetics please me, yes; but, what really excites me, is the idea of using mass production methods to crank-out tasteful, well-designed and beautifully made component parts which could be assembled to create a handsome whole. As long as one starts with a beautifully-crafted prototype (and insists upon quality manufacturing), mass production can be a wonderful way of bringing good taste to the public in an affordable manner. So it's not surprising that I spent more than a few minutes inspecting, photographing and appreciating this building in Revolution Square, which now houses the "Museum of the Patriotic...
Russia's love of classical music is well known, both the music they made and the music they played. Chopin was very popular—revered even—in Russia after the 1830's. Tchaikovsky, for one, was quite familiar with the Polish composer and Chopin may have influenced the Russian's work yet to come. It is no surprise, then, that the Polish maestro would be commemorated at the Muzeon Park of Arts, an attractive sculpture garden sited along the Moskva River's Southbank. Chopin, on the other hand, had a more complicated feeling about the Russians (or "Moskali" as they were known in Poland). The Invasion of Warsaw (sometimes called "The Uprising") ended the Polish-Russian War of 1830 - 1831. During the two day siege, Poland collapsed and evacuated...
My travels in Moscow have been confined to the central area—including long walking distances from The Hotel Metropol and Bolshoi Theatre area. Today I took an extended walk to Gorky Park which I couldn't resist visiting, so famous was the novel and film of that name in my teen years. There wasn't much to the park—at least in the winter, when many of the flower beds and decorative trees had already been wrapped-up in plastic sheeting. But I did see many interesting sights (modest and grand) along the way. And I purposely took different routes in both directions. Moscow, or the limited part that I saw, was a blend of handsome buildings from the 16th Century through the present. Nineteenth...
Reigning over the Moskva River, at the Northern foot of the Patriarshiy Bridge (and not far from the Kremlin), stands the regal white marble Cathedral of Christ the Savior. It looks like it's stood here for a century—but has it? Actually, no. The Cathedral was commissioned in 1812 by Tsar Alexander I to commemorate Napoleon's empty-handed retreat from Moscow. It was to be an expression of "our gratitude to Divine Providence for protecting Russia" and a memorial to those who died in the war. After a change of site, change of architect, change of design and a change of tsar (to Nicholas I), construction finally began in 1839. Interestingly, in 1882, Tchaikovsky premiered his brand new 1812 Overture at the...
My biggest reason for visiting Moscow was to attend the premiere of the Bolshoi Ballet's new Giselle which opened tonight. My partner, Robert Perdziola, designed the evening's sets and costumes, inspired by multiple earlier Giselle productions by the Russian designer-artist Alexandre Benois (1870 -1960). Choreographer Alexei Ratmansky re-created the steps of an earlier production by Marius Petipa (1818 - 1910)—embellishing the dance with long-lost gestures and other conventions that have been abandoned over the past century. The project aimed to revive and present (to a modern ballet audience) the look and sensibility of the ground-breaking ballet master, Petipa, 200 years after his birth. Giselle is based on a German folk tale about a young peasant girl who is pursued by...
Let's start with a bang: Saint Basil's Cathedral at the South end of Red Square. Standing like an illustrated children's fairytale—or any fanciful stage production of Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker—this Sixteenth Century cathedral is the undisputed star of Moscow's rectangular Red Square. It was commissioned by Tsar Ivan IV (known as "Ivan the Terrible") in 1552 to commemorate his capture of the city of Kazan, a Mongol territory 500 miles east of Moscow. Despite Ivan's deservedly ruthless reputation (he massacred much of the Kazan population, destroyed the mosques and forcibly Christianized the populace), 8,000 Russian slaves were freed after the invasion, bringing an end to slavery within Ivan's empire (70 years before African slavery began in America). The cathedral, finished in 1561,...
While checking-in to The Hotel Metropol in Moscow, I could not help but think of the protagonist, The Count, in Amor Towles's best-selling novel, A Gentleman in Moscow. I had locked-up my home door behind me some 26 hours earlier—and I was more than a little fried from the very long journey (on three cramped airplanes, through four bustling airports). Nevertheless, I was invigorated by the historic hotel's warm Art Nouveau interior—and fell in love with the original period brass chandeliers which hovered over the storied lobby. In my mind's eye, I could picture The Count, seated in the corner of that very lobby (partially hidden by a potted palm), silently observing the object of his desire, the film star Anna Urbanova, as...
After I closed the LEO Design shop in Greenwich Village, I moved to Pittsburgh, re-vamped the on-lline store (and website), opened a modest showroom (by private appointment only) and set-up small spaces in two local antique centers. One of these antique centers, in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District," is called Mahla & Company—and today is their once-a-year Open House Celebration. Not only is the antique center open on a Sunday (which it is otherwise not), but everything in-store is 20% off! The date was carefully chosen: there is no Steelers football game today (which, I'm told, is an important consideration in these parts). If you are in Western Pennsylvania, please come down to Mahla! You may put a dent in your Holiday shopping...
I remember 11 September like it was yesterday. I was heading to the gym before opening the shop. It was a beautiful, crisp Tuesday morning—an election day. New York days don't get better than this . . . (or so I thought). Since then, eighteen years have flown by. And what can happen in eighteen years? A child born on that fateful day would be an adult today. We'd see Americans pull together—only to sharply divide some time later. And we'd see the best and worst in American leadership. Perhaps eighteen years isn't so many years after all? I was born in the Sixties and, yet, World War Two (which always seemed like ages ago) ended only eighteen years before my...
Brad Soucy composes the perfect shot—through LEO Design's Greenwich Village door. Once or twice in a lifetime, an extra-special person will enter one's life. For me, Brad Soucy comes immediately to mind. A recent Chicago Art Institute graduate and new to New York City, Brad walked-into my shop on Bleecker Street, looking for a temporary job while he got his art career up-and-running. I hired him on the spot; Brad was smart, creative, friendly, handsome and—most importantly—kind. I knew that customers would come to like him. Little did I know, fourteen years later, I would still have a working connection with him. Brad was born on this day in 1981. It was a Thursday which means I was probably sitting...
Summer—at least in 2019—is chock-a-block with campaigning and candidates, all hoping to Make America Good Again. And tonight, we witness the start of Round Two of the Democratic Presidential Debates. Get into the Summer Blue spirit with this all cotton cap, embroidered with contrasting stitched lettering. Please click on the photo above to learn more about this cap. Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com). We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co. Antiques (www.mahlaantiques.com) or in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique Center of Strabane (www.antiquecenterofstrabane.com). Or call to arrange to visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private...
On this day in 1978, San Francisco artist Gilbert Baker debuted the rainbow flag which he had created for the city’s Gay Freedom Day parade. The original, manually-sewn flag consisted of eight colored stripes. But when the flag proved popular—and people wanted to purchase one for themselves—Baker reduced the number of colors to six. Removing […]
Join me on my summer holiday as I travel (mostly) through Italy—as always, in search of beautiful sites, sculpture and all things sculpture-ish. I see sculpture all around me: in carved-stone buildings, in carved-stone fountains and in carved-stone monuments. Let's end our Summer Roman Holiday with one of the oldest surviving buildings in Rome, with the fountain in its piazza, and with the ancient obelisk which punctuates that fountain. The Pantheon was built around 120 AD under the Roman Emperor Hadrian and it was used to honor the pantheon— that is, all of the many Roman gods. One enters through a classical "portico" (like a front porch) and into a large, circular room. It is topped with an enormous rounded...
Join me on my summer holiday as I travel (mostly) through Italy—as always, in search of beautiful sites, sculpture and all things sculpture-ish. Change is eternal—and in The Eternal City, that change has been happening for a long, long time. The building of the Basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva was begun by the Dominicans in 1280. They thought that they were building over the ruins of an earlier (50 BC) pagan temple to the Roman goddess Minerva, therefore the name "sopra (over) Minerva." In truth, they were building over an ancient temple to the Egyptian goddess Isis, a fact archaeologists did not discover until the name "Minerva" had become firmly-rooted in the minds of Romans. The original Gothic church had...
Join me on my summer holiday as I travel (mostly) through Italy—as always, in search of beautiful sites, sculpture and all things sculpture-ish. There are thirteen ancient obelisks decorating Rome—eight Egyptian, five Roman. Procuring them was quite a feat, no doubt. First they had to be taken (Looted? Purchased? Spoils of war?). Then they had to me moved up river on barges and sailed across the Mediterranean Sea in larger vessels (ever so carefully, lest they break or sink the vessel). Once in Italy, they had to be transported inland (even harder than sailing!) to the Roman capital. Imperial Rome had a great fascination with the symbolism of the earlier Egyptian Empire—and they spared no expense to acquire, transport and mount these...
Join me on my summer holiday as I travel (mostly) through Italy—as always, in search of beautiful sites, sculpture and all things sculpture-ish. Between the Piazza del Popolo and the Scalinata di Spagna stands an unassuming church with a very interesting history: Sant'Andrea della Fratte ("St. Andrew of the Woods"). The first church was built on this site in 1192 when this area was the wooded outskirts of Medieval Rome. The basilica minor which stands there today was built between 1604 and 1826. For a time, it was designated as Rome's church for Scotsmen as it was nearby the Scots College (a seminary for Scottish priests). Eventually the Scots embraced Protestantism and abandoned their formal relationship with Rome. On 20 January...
Join me on my summer holiday as I travel (mostly) through Italy—as always, in search of beautiful sites, sculpture and all things sculpture-ish. Rome is full of fountains—some grand, some quite plain—and it is important to remember that they were not strictly decorative. They carried fresh water into the city and were intended to be used by residents as their water source. Even today, they carry fresh water which (some people say) may be drunk. But, in true Italian style, even a pedestrian utility can be elevated to the beautiful. The Piazza dell Popolo literally means "The Plaza of the People" although the square was originally named for the poplar trees which lined a part of the piazza. The square...
Join me on my summer holiday as I travel (mostly) through Italy—as always, in search of beautiful sites, sculpture and all things sculpture-ish. Can one have a favorite basilica in Rome? Can one choose a favorite child? I suppose Saint Peter's will always be my favorite (how could it not be?)—though the Archbasilica of San Giovanni in Laterano would have to be in second place. It is the cathedral seat of the Pope (as "The Bishop of Rome") and is the oldest and highest-ranking of the four basilicas major. And just look at that massive, deeply-coffered ceiling! Consecrated in 324 AD, it has been renovated and redecorated numerous times through the centuries. Francesco Borromini (1599-1667) reworked the main central space (the...
Join me on my summer holiday as I travel (mostly) through Italy—as always, in search of beautiful sites, sculpture and all things sculpture-ish. I have had a difficult time finding information about this lovely Twentieth Century marble sculpture in Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome. It was commissioned to commemorate the end of World War I (in 1918) and bears the title AVE-MARIA-PACIS ("Hail, Queen of Peace). She holds her son in her right arm while her left hand is elevated—is it a blessing or is she saying "Stop!"? Her serene face and the drape of her garments are reminiscent of Pre-Raphaelite or Belle Epoch (Art Nouveau) sculpture from the 1880's to the 1920's, which is very modern in a basilica begun...
Join me on my summer holiday as I travel (mostly) through Italy—as always, in search of beautiful sites, sculpture and all things sculpture-ish. The great Baroque "Renaissance Man," Gian Lorenzo Bernini, was kept very, very busy by Pope Urban VIII, his great (and free-spending) patron. When that pope died in 1644, Bernini found his workshop strangely underemployed—for the new pope, Innocent X, did not favor him. Suddenly, mere cardinals could now jockey to engage the lauded artist (of course, for a princely sum). Venetian Cardinal Federico Cornaro jumped at the chance to hire Bernini to build his tomb (1647-1652) in the modest church of Santa Maria della Vittoria in Rome. What resulted is considered one of the great masterpieces of...
Join me on my summer holiday as I travel (mostly) through Italy—as always, in search of beautiful sites, sculpture and all things sculpture-ish. A handsome—though somewhat overwhelmed—token of relaxation stands at the center of the hectic Piazza Barberini in Rome. It is Gian Lorenzo Bernini's Fontana del Tritone (Triton Fountain) carved in travertine marble, a commission from Bernini's great patron, Pope Urban VIII (who was a member of the Barberini family). A kneeling "merman" kneels atop the uplifted tails of four dolphins—and he blows a stream of water through a conch shell. The pope's Papal Crest is centered beneath the muscular figure and the classic "Bernini Bees" alight upon the dolphins' tails. It was carved by Bernini in 1642-1643, and...
Join me on my summer holiday as I travel (mostly) through Italy—as always, in search of beautiful sites, sculpture and all things sculpture-ish. Not far from the tomb of Saint Peter—above which the Papal Altar, Bernini's baldacchino and Michelangelo's dome rise—sits this bronze sculpture of the first pope, Saint Peter, clutching the keys to the kingdom close to his breast and raising his right hand in blessing. For centuries, the faithful have venerated the sculpture; in the Middle Ages, pilgrims (on their months-long walk to Rome) would petition the saint to help them make it home from their journey. Christians have traditionally kissed or touched the sculpture's extended right foot—which is now worn-down to a nub. For years, it was...
Join me on my summer holiday as I travel (mostly) through Italy—as always, in search of beautiful sites, sculpture and all things sculpture-ish. This animated dragon decorates the monument of Pope Gregory XIII in Saint Peter's Basilica. He died in 1585 and the monument was completed over 100 years later (1715 - 1723) by late Baroque sculptor Camillo Rusconi. Despite this delay of honor, Pope Gregory XIII had an illustrious reign—for example, replacing the inaccurate Julian calendar with the better Gregorian calendar (which we still use today). Gregory was a church reformer. Under him the papacy grew in strength at the expense of (a sometimes corrupt) College of Cardinals. He put into effect the Council of Trent, covened (1545 - 1563) to address the Protestant Reformation....
Join me on my summer holiday as I travel (mostly) through Italy—as always, in search of beautiful sites, sculpture and all things sculpture-ish. Once the "new" Saint Peter's Basilica was constructed, it became time to design and install a fitting marker over the Papal Altar and tomb of Saint Peter, the Church's first pope. Enter architect and sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini, engaged by then Pope Urban VIII of the wealthy and influential Barberini family. The canopy over the altar is technically called a ciborium—although the broader decorative term baldacchino is more commonly used instead. Bernini designed and oversaw its production between 1623 and 1634. It is a massive form, assembled of individually cast bronze pieces, stands some 95 feet high, and...
Join me on my summer holiday as I travel (mostly) through Italy—as always, in search of beautiful sites, sculpture and all things sculpture-ish. At the age of 23, Michelangelo Buonarotti was hired to carve a funerary sculpture for the eventual tomb of French Cardinal Jean de Bilhères. What the young artist created—between 1498 and 1499—is amongst the most beautiful of all sculptures ever carved. In the 1700's, it was moved from the Cardinal's tomb and given pride-of-place in the first side chapel on the right as one enters Saint Peter's Basilica. Pietà means "The Pity," and this arrangement—of Jesus in his mother's lap—was previously unknown in Italian sculpture. The idealized yet naturalistic composition conveys the sensation of weight and substance. It...
Join me on my summer holiday as I travel (mostly) through Italy—as always, in search of beautiful sites, sculpture and all things sculpture-ish. While Michelangelo is my all time favorite artist, perhaps Gian Lorenzo Bernini is my second-favorite sculptor. He was born 34 years after Michelangelo's death and his work defines the motion (and emotion) of Italian Baroque marble sculpting. But Bernini was also an architect. He is responsible for creating the "welcoming arms" of the Piazza San Pietro—the two colonnades which line the sides (and define the shape of) the Basilica's massive front square. A church has been maintained on this site since the early 300's AD. From 1506 to 1626, Saint Peter's Basilica as we know it was...
Join me on my summer holiday as I travel (mostly) through Italy—as always, in search of beautiful sites, sculpture and all things sculpture-ish. The bridge crossing the Tevere (or Tiber River), shown above, is called Ponte Sisto. It connects the Jewish Quarter (where I stay) to Trastevere, the new "Williamsburg of Rome." It was commissioned by Pope Sixtus (hence the name), and was built from 1473 to 1479. What's most important about the photo, however, is the beautiful dome glimmering in the background. It was designed by Michelangelo Buonarroti—the world's greatest sculptor—in 1547 and work was begun under his supervision. At the time of Michelangelo's death (in 1564), the lower "drum" had been completed. Pope Sixtus assigned Giacomo della Porta to...
Join me on my summer holiday as I travel (mostly) through Italy—as always, in search of beautiful sites, sculpture and all things sculpture-ish. Rome is "The Eternal City," and I never get tired of visiting her. What more dramatic symbol to mark my arrival than the Roman Colosseum? But, as beautiful a work of sculpture as il Colosseo remains, it does have a sordid, disturbing history. The Colosseum was built between 72 and 80 AD, and underwent various modifications in the century after that. Constructed of travertine limestone, volcanic tuff, and brick-clad cement, the Colosseum is the largest amphitheater ever built. Unlike typical Greek or Roman amphitheaters which were usually built-into a hillside, the Colosseum is a completely free-standing, oval structure....
Join me on my summer holiday as I travel (mostly) through Italy—as always, in search of beautiful sites, sculpture and all things sculpture-ish. Lucca is a handsome, human-scaled Tuscan city, still encircled by its original Renaissance era brick wall. It is also the birthplace of composer Giaccomo Puccini (1858-1924) who wrote popular operas including La Bohème, Tosca, Madama Butterfly and Turandot. Puccini was one of nine children and he was raised in a family with music in its blood. His father (and grandfather, great grandfather and great-great grandfather) was the "Maestro di Capella" at Lucca's Cathedral of San Martino (since the Middle Ages, an important stop for pilgrims working their way to Rome). Little Giaccomo probably would have followed in his forefathers' footsteps...
Join me on my summer holiday as I travel (mostly) through Italy—as always, in search of beautiful sites, sculpture and all things sculpture-ish. My time is Genova was wonderful—a surprisingly interesting time in a city bustling with a rich, muscular energy. Although the city is not one of Italy's "top draws" for tourists, there is certainly plenty to see: a generous helping of "aesthetic evidence" of Genova's multiple centuries as a top player in the international world of shipping, finance and trade. Walking the streets of the city, one realizes that Genova did not develop itself through high-minded callings like academics, religion or artistic patronage. Genova built itself through hard work and industry. As a visitor, I felt like I...
Join me on my summer holiday as I travel (mostly) through Italy—as always, in search of beautiful sites, sculpture and all things sculpture-ish. If ever sculpture and architecture were to marry, an "Atlas" would be their progeny. An atlas is an architectural support structure—like a column, pier or pilaster—presented in the form of the male figure (usually his top half). In Greek mythology, Atlas is the character who was required to forever hold-up the sky on his shoulders. The plural form is "Atlantes" and Romans called them "Telemon." They were first utilized in Greek Sicily and Southern Italy. Later, during the late Renaissance, they were revived, this time with Mannerist (twisting) or Baroque attitudes. Atlantes were almost always at least...
Join me on my summer holiday as I travel (mostly) through Italy—as always, in search of beautiful sites, sculpture and all things sculpture-ish. Genova was amongst the World's richest and most powerful port cities during the 1400's - 1600's, resulting in no shortage of beautiful and impressive architecture dating to this period. Genova's cathedral, dedicated to San Lorenzo (Saint Lawrence), was a beneficiary of the communities wealth—specifically the largesse of wealthy trading and banking families. Although it was built in the 12th - 14th Centuries, wealthy patrons continued to "update" the interiors in later years. Shown above, a detail of stonework framing one of the front doors. A mix of colorful, exotic materials all work together to create a harmonious...
Join me on my summer holiday as I travel (mostly) through Italy—as always, in search of beautiful sites, sculpture and all things sculpture-ish. Genova—called "la Superba"—is a muscular and bustling port city along the Northern Mediterranean coast of Italy. From the Middle Ages, Genova profited from brisk International trade within the Mediterranean (and eventually beyond) and, as a result, became a World center of banking and finance from the early 1400's. Though the city saw continued industrial growth into the Twentieth Century, the city is replete with landmarks and shrines to its previous world-dominating wealth. Even today, the port of Genova is Italy's busiest and also the most important on the Mediterranean. Iconic seamen, Christopher Columbus and Andrea Doria, were...
Join me on my summer holiday as I travel (mostly) through Italy—as always, in search of beautiful sites, sculpture and all things sculpture-ish. Sorrento is a seaside town, built on the cliffs along the Amalfi Coast, on the Sorrentine Peninsula. Lemons are to be found everywhere and numerous small shops sell limoncello and all manner of soaps, potions and foodstuffs made from the tangy citrus fruit. While not quite as fancy as Taormina (in Sicily), Sorrento has nonetheless been popular with European visitors since the Nineteenth Century, hosting the likes of Lord Byron, John Keats, J.W. von Goethe, Charles Dickens, Richard Wagner, Henrik Ibsen, Friedrich Nietzsche, Enricco Caruso and Luciano Pavarotti. The beautifully carved stone lion head, shown above, anchors the...
Join me on my summer holiday as I travel (mostly) through Italy—as always, in search of beautiful sites, sculpture and all things sculpture-ish. We sailed from Athens to Sicily, an interesting route considering how important the island was to the Ancient Greek Empire. Due to its considerable size (it's the largest island in the Mediterranean) and strategic position, many conquering armies came and went over the centuries: the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Normans, Germans, French, Spanish, Neapolitans and, eventually, unified Italy. The city of Syracuse—enriched by trade under the Greeks—rivaled Athens in size and beauty. The doorway pictured above, on the side of the Duomo di Taormina, could certainly be called "sculpture." The cathedral, named after Saint Nicholas, was built around 1400, over...
Join me on my summer holiday as I travel (mostly) through Italy—as always, in search of beautiful sites, sculpture and all things sculpture-ish. We landed in Athens (which, yes, I know, is not in Italy) to spend a couple of days re-visiting some of our favorite sites. Athens (and the whole of Greece) had a tremendous impact on Roman culture and aesthetic sensibilities. Much of Ancient Rome's best architecture and sculpture was inspired by (if not a copy of) earlier Greek masterpieces. The photo above shows the Acropolis of Athens—truly a "Shining City on a Hill"— as seen from atop the Areopagus, (known as Mars Hill). The word "Acropolis" combines the root words for "highest point" + "city." Although this...
LEO Design will be on an Early Summer Holiday through 18 June. Any purchases made on-line will be filled on the 19th. Happy Summer!
Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co. Antiques (www.mahlaantiques.com) or in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique Center of Strabane (www.antiquecenterofstrabane.com).
Or call to arrange to visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only). 917-446-4248
Follow us on Instagram: "leodesignhandsomegifts"
Follow us on Facebook: "LEO Design - Handsome Gifts"
Wishing a Happy Easter and Happy Passover to my LEO Design customers. May the renewal of Spring remind you that, yes, things do get better!
Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co. Antiques (www.mahlaantiques.com) or in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique Center of Strabane (www.antiquecenterofstrabane.com).
Or call to arrange to visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only). 917-446-4248
Follow us on Instagram: "leodesignhandsomegifts"
Follow us on Facebook: "LEO Design - Handsome Gifts"
The number 413 will always be special to me. It was at 413 Bleecker Street—in the Summer of 1995—that LEO Design was born. We opened our doors in August (naturally, during the sun sign LEO) at a time when Bleecker Street still teemed with interesting, unusual and creative Mom & Pop shops. This storefront was our den for 15 years. During that time, we saw the street change—and we pined as the small and unique stores were replaced by large corporate-owned chainstores (many of which have since left when they realized that their sales did not justify the inflated rents). In 2010, it was our turn; we were booted-out and replaced by a large, corporate-owned, blue chip "brand." Needless to say, they...
The Pond—Moonlight (detail) by Edward Steichen (1904) On this day in 1879, Éduard Jean Stiechen was born in Luxembourg. Éduard would eventually become an American, changing his name to Edward and would make tremendous contributions to the field of art photography. His photo, “The Pond—Moonlight” (detail shown above), shot on a friend’s property in Mamaroneck, NY, would […]
Though William Morris designed and produced many different types of home furnishings, the public best remembers him for his wall paper. Morris & Co. made nearly 100 patterns, half of them designed by William Morris himself. Additionally, patterns were sometimes offered in several color ways. Funnily enough, Morris didn’t really like wall paper! He considered […]
William Morris, probably England’s most-influential Nineteenth Century designer, was born on this day in 1834. With two other members of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood—artist Edward Burne-Jones and painter Dante Gabriel Rossetti—William Morris started the design firm that would one day become “Morris & Co.”. Morris & Co. designed homes and churches, plus they designed and produced […]
I've dragged many a treasure through my shop doors at LEO Design—but none more precious to me than Benji, my "Shop Pup." Today is his sixth birthday! Benji spent many an hour monitoring the store from behind the cash wrap. Today he continues his duties: sleeping at my feet while I tend to the website, sitting in his basket as I work in my new Pittsburgh showroom. His favorite activity is overseeing the packing of shipments—with their mess of cardboard, bubblewrap and numerous balls of crumpled paper. Happy Birthday, Benji! I'm counting on many more years of your assistance! LEO Design's Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed. While we contemplate our next shop location, please visit our on-line...
A new year. A fresh start. And a resolution to be a patriot—to help my country more in 2019. Let's start with something that's been on my mind: it's time to Make America Good Again. You see, for me, it's more important to be Good than Great. And maybe this vintage-style baseball cap will be a little reminder. A hopeful, royal blue cap is embroidered with antique orange—an optimistic combination in anticipation of better days ahead. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it. LEO Design's Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed. While we contemplate our next shop location, please visit our on-line store which continues to operate (www.LEOdesignNYC.com). Follow us on Instagram: "leodesignhandsomegifts" Follow us on...
On this day in 1835, in Florida, Missouri, one of America’s great story tellers was born. Growing-up in Hannibal, MO, Samuel Langhorne Clemens—better known as Mark Twain—was immersed in the small town American life which would so richly inform his novels and stories. His books are American Classics; The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn are considered amongst America’s finest, some 13 decades after being published. His characters, their relationships, and the moral lessons they learn have kept Twain’s writings popular with each emerging generation of readers. But Twain had far from an easy-going life. He bounced amongst professions (like mining and piloting Mississippi river boats) before settling on writing and lecturing. He made good money in his lifetime...
Fifty-five years ago today, our country was changed forever. Today, let's recall and give thanks for America's true leaders—the presidents who brought out the best in our Nation and its people.
Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving.
It's easy to take one's democracy for granted. Many of us think it's "a permanent part of the scenery." But democracy hasn't always been a given—in fact, even today, many Americans struggle to cast their vote at the polls. In modern world history, democracy has been taken away from people who couldn't imagine it happening; citizens in Germany, Spain, Italy, Chile, Hungary, and many Eastern European nations lost their political voices (and many lost their lives). And lest one think that this only happened back in "the bad old days," the rise of anti-democratic factions is on the rise, worldwide. In America, though we are not immune from the Fascist manipulations of Nationalists, we do enjoy a history of embracing an...
The Ecstasy of St. Teresa by Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1647-52) Saint Teresa of Avila was born in Gottarrendura, Spain in 1515. After a rather normal girlhood, Teresa lost her mother, plunging the 14 year old girl into profound sadness. She developed a strengthened devotion to Mary but also took solace in “frivolous” books about knights, […]
“Narcissus” by Caravaggio, c. 1597-1599 (Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Antica, Rome) 29 September seems to be a day for painters. Venetian Baroque artist Jacopo Comin (aka: Tintoretto, 1518)), Milanese bad boy Michelangelo Merisi (aka: Caravaggio, 1571), and Parisian Rococo painter François Boucher (1703) were all born on this day. Sadly, artists have left us on this […]
Seventeen years on. It's remarkable to ponder how much has changed—and yet, where has the time gone? New York and the Nation largely have bounced-back. Yet, for those who escaped with their lives—and for the survivors of those who did not—life will never be the same.
LEO Design's Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed. While we contemplate our next shop location, please visit our on-line store which continues to operate (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
Follow us on Instagram: "leodesignhandsomegifts"
Follow us on Facebook: "LEO Design - Handsome Gifts"
Self-portrait of the artist at the age of 24 (Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York) On this day in 1780, Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres was born to Jean-Marie-Joseph Ingres, himself a bit of an artistic dabbler and would-be Renaissance Man. With his father’s encouragement, the son would develop his skill and eventually become one of France’s most […]
Today’s the final day of Leo. Tomorrow, the sun moves into Virgo, a sure sign that summer is running its final lap. Enjoy what remains of a beautiful summer and remember: It’s always Leo at LEO Design.
On this day in 1959, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a proclamation dissolving the Territory of Hawaii and declaring that Hawaii was now admitted into the Union. Congress had previously passed “An Act to Provide for the Admission of the State of Hawaii into the Union”—and the people of Hawaii voted (by 93%!) for statehood. […]
On this day in 1870, Congress declared Christmas a U.S. Federal Holiday. With five months to go before the start of this year’s Holiday Season, LEO Design is already writing orders, traveling to build-up inventory, and preparing for another busy December. Here’s a picture of a punched-tin Christmas sign which I just found in Western Pennsylvania and may […]
Lev Samoilovitch Rosenberg—later known as Léon Bakst—was born on this day in Grodno, Russia (which is in modern day Belarus). He grew-up in Saint Petersberg where his grandfather was a skilled tailor whose service to the Tsar was rewarded with a large house and generous wage. Though his middle-class parents didn’t encourage it, Léon was […]
If one artist is responsible for “inventing” the image of the American male in the early Twentieth Century, surely it was Joseph Christian Leyendecker, born on this day in 1874. Leyendecker was born in Montabaur, Germany and his family immigrated to Chicago when the boy was eight. In time, he got work in an engraving […]
Only one person can be “The Best Ever” and, in the world of art, that person is Michelangelo Buonarroti. Born on this day in 1475, Michelangelo was in the right place at the right time. Or, perhaps thanks to Michelangelo, his time became the right place and the right time. A sculptor, painter, architect, engineer and poet, […]
“The Skating Minister” by Henry Raeburn (1790’s) Nat’l Gallery of Scotland On this day in 1756, Henry Raeburn was born in a small Scottish village, now a part of greater Edinburgh. Orphaned very young, Henry was supported by his older brother for a while until being placed in Heriot’s Hospital, an orphanage founded by goldsmith George […]
Madame X (detail) by John Singer Sargent (1884) In 1870, a group of American businessmen, artists, and society types joined forces to establish a grand, new American art museum—its goal to bring art and culture to the American people. Perhaps they also wished to show Europe that “the new country” had the taste, money, and wherewithal […]
On this day in 1848, Louis Comfort Tiffany was born in New York City. His father, Charles Lewis Tiffany, was a jeweler and the founder of Tiffany & Co. After military schooling, Louis studied art in New York City with a concentration on painting. Soon, however, his interest was diverted by art glass and the […]
Valentinus was a third century Roman priest living during the reign of Claudius II. He aided other persecuted Christians—at a time when this was illegal—and was known especially for marrying Christian couples. Eventually, he was captured and dragged before the emperor where it seems he made a good impression, for the ruler took a liking […]
While we’re talking about Tragic Monarchs, let’s turn to England’s Charles I. On this day in 1649, King Charles I was beheaded after being convicted of High Treason. Born the second son of James I (who was already King of the Scots), Charles moved to England when his father acquired the English crown. When he […]
On this day in 1891, in Honolulu, bells tolled and cannon fired as Lili’uokalani ascended the throne, succeeding her brother who had died days before. She became the first queen to hold the Hawaiian throne by her own right, not as a “queen consort.” But getting to the throne—and staying there—was not easy. She was […]
Today it becomes official: LEO Design has a new and permanent “World Headquarters!” On a tree-lined street near the University of Pittsburgh, we have secured the house of our dreams—with space for an office and plenty of room for merchandise. In the basement, the wood-paneled Servant’s Hall will become my workshop and showroom for cleaning, […]
Standing on the sidewalk before my (soon-to-be) new home in Pittsburgh, I marvel at this wonderful 1930’s Gothic Revival (and Art Deco-ish) architectural masterpiece, the University of Pittsburgh’s “Cathedral of Learning.” Like the Empire State Building, it was opened in 1931—when it hosted its first class in one of its 2,000 rooms. It stands 535 […]
For the past 23 years—which is just a touch longer than LEO Design has resided in Greenwich Village—this has been the magnificent view which greeted me out my living room window. It never got old. Today I gazed wistfully at the scene one last time. Just an hour before, we had closed the sale of […]
Twenty-two years ago, I opened a little shop on Bleecker Street. I had no idea what I was doing. I had little idea of what I liked. And I had no idea how long this gambol would continue. What I did know was what I wanted to do: I wanted to sell “Handsome Gifts.” I […]
Time and Tide wait for no man. And the economic laws which lay-heavy on small shops (like mine) never lighten for a minute. Like with gravity, one can fight the inevitable (for a while) but, sooner or later, Adam Smith’s “invisible hand” will knock you off the table. Tomorrow is our day. It’s been a […]
The Epiphany is a Christian holiday commemorating the revelation of Christ to the Gentiles, traditionally told through the story of The Three Magi. The holiday is also called “Three Kings Day” and some Christian denominations exchange gifts on this day. In England, the evening before Epiphany (5 January) is called “Twelfth Night” and Epiphany is […]
To everything there is a season. And a time to every purpose under heaven. A time to build-up, a time to knock-down. A time to dance, a time to mourn. A time to cast away stones, a time to gather stones together. The season has passed—twenty-two of them, in fact. And so, […]
“Boy, am I glad that’s over!” Today LEO Design will be open from Noon ’til 6:00 pm. See new merchandise first! Follow us on Instagram: “leodesignhandsomegifts”
Norman Rockwell: “Freedom from Want” (1941-1943) Based on President FDR’s speech. While this image does not look like most American families—it doesn’t look like mine—I believe all Americans can aspire to (and hope for) a Freedom from Want. Wishing our LEO Design customers and staff a Happy and Relaxing Thanksgiving. We look forward to […]
Fifteen years on. It was a day on which everything changed. And, yet, some things have not changed at all. Is it possible that our worst day brought-out our best? On that day—and perhaps for a few days that followed—Americans were united as one people. But oh, what a price to pay for that unity.
On this day in 1893, a secret meeting was convened at 121 Regent Street, London. In attendance were some of Britain’s leading Arts & Crafts designers, artists and influencers: William Morris, John Ruskin, Christopher Dresser, Edward Burne-Jones, John Pearson, Archibald Knox and Charles Rennie Mackintosh. They had not been informed of the purpose of the […]
Plenty of shoveling—and one intrepid customer (so far). As it gets colder, darker and deeper, we may close early. Please call before coming (212-929-8466). And, by all means, stay safe. We’ll be open at Noon tomorrow.
Today Benji turns three! For the past two-and-a-half years, little Benji has been making occasional appearances at LEO Design—greeting customers, inspecting new arrivals, and, basically, enhancing the Handsome ambience and color scheme of the shop. When he’s not in-store, he remains at home at his other job: supervising my partner’s work as a stage scenic […]
Shanah Tovah to all and a good Rosh Hashanah! May the year 5776 be a sweet one! The name, Rosh Hashanah, roughly translated, means “head of the year,” and marks the start of the Hebrew calendar. It is the first of the High Holy Days and the date which commemorates the creation of Adam and […]
Today Queen Elizabeth II becomes the longest-reigning monarch in English history, surpassing the prior title-holder, Queen Victoria. She is now also the longest-reigning female monarch in world history. Born Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor, she succeeded her father, King George VI, upon his death on 6 February 1952. She was 26. She came to the throne […]
