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This inverted cross was likely carved on the inn's hearth stone in hopes of discouraging witches from flying down the chimney

Cool Finds

Archaeologists Find Shot Glass Shards, Anti-Witch Carving at Centuries-Old Scottish Pub

At the time of its construction, the Wilkhouse Inn was considered a “statement of modernity and affluence”

Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed wins the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali Wins the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize

Abiy has been praised for his efforts to end a violent, decades-long conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea

An illustration of Chapter. 20 – 朝顔 Asagao ("The Bluebell"), by Tosa Mitsuoki (1617–1691)

Found: Long-Lost Chapter of the ‘Tale of Genji,’ an Early Japanese Novel

The original 11th-century manuscript does not survive, but experts say they have identified part of the earliest-known version of the story

Olga Tokarczuk won the 2018 Nobel Prize in Literature, while Peter Handke was awarded this year's prize

Nobel Prizes in Literature Awarded to Olga Tokarczuk and Peter Handke

Last year’s Nobel Prize in Literature was postponed following a sexual assault scandal involving members of the Swedish Academy

The portrait depicts Spanish princess Isabella Clara Eugenia

Cool Finds

Digital Art Detectives Identify Original van Dyck Portrait

The 17th-century painting was previously attributed to the Dutch artist’s workshop

Pope Francis attends the unveiling of "Angels Unaware" by Canadian sculptor Timothy P. Schmalz.

New Monument in the Vatican Encourages Compassion for Refugees

‘We have all come from another place,’ says artist Timothy P. Schmalz

Congo at work.

Trending Today

Art by Congo, the Famous Painting Ape, to Go on Sale

Picasso, Miro and others bought the abstract paintings of Congo, who starred in the 1950s show ‘Zoo Time’

A panoramic view of Jerusalem with the Dome of the Rock at the center

The World’s First Travel Guide Is Set to Go on View in London

The 1486 text features panoramic illustrations of Jerusalem, Venice and other sites across the Mediterranean region

Trending Today

Queens Museum Brings Rube Goldberg Machine to Life

To celebrate an exhibition of the cartoonist and hometown hero, curators commissioned one of Rube’s overly complicated gadgets

The sculpture “Rumors of War” is unveiled in Times Square on September 27, 2019 in New York City.

A New Statue in Times Square Challenges the Symbolism of Confederate Monuments

The work by artist Kehinde Wiley will soon be moved to Richmond, Virginia, not far from a street lined with controversial Civil War memorials

Picture taken at the unveiling of the Totem Pole in May 2017.

Thieves Return Hand Stolen From Montreal Totem Pole, With an Apology Note

‘After we realized what [the artwork] stood for and represented for so many people, we immediately felt sick to our stomach,’ the letter reads

American assault troops move up the beachhead from their landing craft in northern France.

Cool Finds

Man Discovers Original D-Day Dispatch Audiotape in Basement

The tape and several other recordings have since been donated to the National D-Day Memorial

Jessye Norman at L'Olympia on June 26, 2012.

World-Renowned Soprano Jessye Norman Dies at 74

The opera star, who championed diversity in the arts, was known for her singular voice and versatile range

Anna Birnie, Van Gogh's governess and likely first art teacher.

Cool Finds

Research Reveals Vincent van Gogh’s Artistic Governess

Anna Birnie, daughter of an artist, taught Vincent and his siblings for three years, including lesson on drawing

The wrestler's cap alludes to Hercules' defeat of the Nemean lion

Cool Finds

Jar Depicting Thracian Athlete Found in Grave of Sports Fan of Antiquity

Your move, fanatics of the 21st century

A Fremont Correctional Facility inmate reading a book on the top bunk of his cell.

Prison Book Bans Are ‘Arbitrary and Irrational,’ Report Finds

PEN America’s report coincided with the annual Banned Books Week

The tool is set to go offline this Friday, but it will remain accessible as a physical art installation at Milan’s Fondazione Prada Osservertario

Art Meets Science

Art Project Shows Racial Biases in Artificial Intelligence System

ImageNet Roulette reveals how little-explored classification methods are yielding ‘racist, misogynistic and cruel results’

After a 30 Year Absence, the Controversial ‘Porgy and Bess’ Is Returning to the Met Opera

From its debut, the show has been accused of cultural appropriation and stereotyping

The museum will be housed in a former brothel known as the Shasta Room

Deadwood Is Getting a Brothel Museum

A non-profit is telling the local history of prostitution in the Wild West town, popularized by the HBO show of the same name

Kurt Vonnegut in 1988

A New Kurt Vonnegut Museum Is Opening in His Hometown

The Indianapolis museum will feature a re-creation of the author’s writing studio and a “freedom of expression exhibition,” among other attractions

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