Journal 145 — The Duchess of Marlborough, beauty and evolution, the decline of the baobab tree, a narrow escape from a conman, and Salvator Mundi
A Baobab tree in the Makgadikgadi Pan National Park, Botswana
This week — The Duchess of Marlborough, beauty’s link with evolution, the decline of the baobab tree, and a narrow escape from a conman.
If you only read one thing — Narativ on the story that may lie behind blockbuster sale of Da Vinci’s Salvator Mundi is worth the time.
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Salvator Mundi | Narativ | Politics
A mixture of auction house intrigue and sharp practices in the arts world meets the geo-politics of Trump, Russia and the Saudi royal family.
Why the richest woman in Britain changed her will 26 times | The London Review of Books | History
The story of Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough, currently being portrayed on screen by Rachel Weisz in the awards season contender The Favourite.
How Beauty Is Making Scientists Rethink Evolution | The New York Times | Science
Complete with extraordinary photography, a look at the evolutionary factors leading animals to have “conspicuous, metabolically costly and physically burdensome sexual ornaments”, such as the beautiful plumage of exotic birds.
The Mysterious Life (and Death) of Africa’s Oldest Trees | Topic | Science
New research suggests that baobabs are dying in unprecedented number. This is the story of the ancient trees (the oldest amongst them shared the planet with Julius Caesar) and their multi-purpose usage by the people and animals who live by them (sparring partner, burial ground, gallows, super-food and more).
I Almost Married a Con Man | Marie Claire | Life
The story of an experienced journalist’s doomed relationship with the man she called “The Commander”. She asks herself why she, someone trained to ask questions, didn’t see the warning signs.
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