Free Republic

When researchers set out to study the canvas preparation practices of the Danish masters, they were searching for traces of proteins that indicated the use of animal-based glue—and in eight of the ten paintings they studied, that's what they found...Seven of the paintings also contained the byproducts of brewing beer, according to a recent study published in the journal Science Advances. Researchers examined works made by Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg (sometimes called the "father of Danish painting") and Christen Schiellerup Kobke during the Danish Golden Age, a time of cultural revitalization in the early 19th century when painters were known for...

We wish you a merry gesso BY DAVE BARRY (This classic DAVE BARRY column was originally published on Dec. 13, 1998.) Ho ho ho! ''Tis the Christmas season, a time of festivity and fun and credit-card statements the length of ``The Brothers Karamazov.'' It's also a time when the publications at supermarket-checkout counters are chock-full of articles featuring creative holiday craft ideas, with headlines like: 'CHER TELLS OPRAH: `CAST OF `FRIENDS' ATE MY BABY!'' No, sorry, wrong type of supermarket-checkout publication. The ones with the holiday craft ideas are the homemaker magazines, which are filled with articles like ''50 Fun...