What 630,000 paintings say about the world economy
Two figures share a table, but not much companionship, in a Parisian café. The man looks distracted, a pipe gripped in his mouth. The woman, eyes down, shoulders slumped, nurses a glass of moss-green absinthe. The painting, unveiled by Edgar Degas in 1876, boasts several titles ('L'Absinthe', 'In a Café' and others). It also divides opinion. One viewer, appalled by the woman's loose morning shoes and the thought of her soiled petticoats, saw the painting as a cautionary tale against idleness and 'low vice'. He then changed his mind. 'The picture is merely a work of art', he later said, 'and has nothing to do with drink or sociology.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Economist
3 days ago
- Economist
What 630,000 paintings say about the world economy
|5 min read Two figures share a table, but not much companionship, in a Parisian café. The man looks distracted, a pipe gripped in his mouth. The woman, eyes down, shoulders slumped, nurses a glass of moss-green absinthe. The painting, unveiled by Edgar Degas in 1876, boasts several titles ('L'Absinthe', 'In a Café' and others). It also divides opinion. One viewer, appalled by the woman's loose morning shoes and the thought of her soiled petticoats, saw the painting as a cautionary tale against idleness and 'low vice'. He then changed his mind. 'The picture is merely a work of art', he later said, 'and has nothing to do with drink or sociology.'
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Lily Allen moving out of swanky New York pad after sad David Harbour split
Smile star, Lily Allen, used to share a New York townhouse with her ex, Stranger Things star, David Harbour, but now they've split up, she's made a huge change Lily Allen has confirmed she's moving out of her home in New York following her split with David Harbour. The Smile star, 40, and Stranger Things actor, 50, got hitched in 2020, but called it quits last year amid reports of David's infidelity. Mum-of-two, Lily, bought the art deco home in Brooklyn with David shortly after their nuptials in Vegas and it even featured in posh magazine, Architectural Digest, thanks to its impressive features and stylish decor. However, Lily, has now left the property and bought an ex-council flat in London, where she's been busy throwing herself into decorating, which she says has 'helped' her through her 'hard time'. It comes as the star was spotted in the capital, wearing a diamond band on her wedding finger. READ MORE: Princess Andre eyes up Kylie Jenner empire as Katie Price says she's been 'shut out' Lily told The Mirror that she's been taking inspiration from interior design magazines for her new pad, which is believed to be in Notting Hill, sharing: "I'm really enjoying those at the moment. I've obviously had quite a hard time and that's really helped me." She also spoke about her new purchase, which she'll live in with her two daughters, on her Miss Me? podcast back in March, as she chatted to co-host Miquita Oliver. She shared: "This flat that I've bought, is in a social housing building, I have kind of given myself a 'get out' clause because it is slap bang in the area which I grew up in, so I don't feel like I am coming from outside and coming into the area and gentrifying it." Lily added: "I have wanted to live in this building since I was a baby, it's been a dream of mine forever and finally a flat became available in here and I was in a position to buy it and I did. But I know people have got judgement around it." With Parisian-inspired rooms and an enormous walk-in wardrobe, Lily's former townhouse was a sight to behold. However, the singer admitted she felt 'incredibly low' and lonely in New York as she opened up about her break-up. The Londoner, who confirmed her split from David in January, revealed that she felt 'extremely heavy' as she 'doesn't have that much to do here' in the city. She moved to Brooklyn in 2020 to be closer to David, enrolling her daughters in local schools. However, it's now all over for the couple, with Lily now back in Blighty and reportedly signed up to exclusive dating app Raya in an effort to move on from her marriage. She has already been romantically linked to actor James Norton. However, it was recently reported that he had been getting cosy with someone else. Speaking to the Mirror, a source said: "James and his female pal certainly didn't care who was looking. They were happy sitting outside the bar getting very cosy with one another despite the scorching temperatures across London." They added: "At one point, the woman was seen resting her hand on James' bare knees as they engaged in a deep conversation. It's a stark contrast from his recent date with Lily Allen, but it's clear that he's not short of female attention."
Time Out
5 days ago
- Time Out
French boutique hotel chain Mama Shelter opens its first Asian outpost in Singapore
Here's yet another new hotel at Orchard Road, but Mama Shelter isn't quite like your typical sleek city hotel in the heart of the shopping district. Bursting onto the scene with a flurry of colour and quirky design, this unfussy Parisian boutique hotel is meant to make guests feel right at home, with dining at the centre of the experience. Currently, there are 19 other Mama Shelter hotels worldwide, with Singapore's outpost marking the brand's debut in Asia. The 115 guest rooms at Mama Shelter are compact, with Small Mama bunk rooms at 15 square metres and Medium Mama rooms with double beds at 17 square metres. Almost half the rooms come with private terraces, and the decor is maximalist with a hodgepodge of bold patterns all around, and Bugs Bunny masks fitted over the bedside lamps for playful effect. In-house dining options are similarly vibrant. There's a restaurant and bar with a stage for live music; Mama's Kiss with bakes and coffee; and a chill rooftop area with cocktails, Mediterranean-inspired bites, and live DJ sets. The rooftop is also where you'll find two swimming pools – one for adults and a shallower one for the kiddos. Other highlights include arcade games and board games, as well as pet-friendly spaces. Mama Shelter officially opens in September at 110 Killiney Road, near Somerset MRT station. As part of its opening promotions, room rates start from $190 per night, inclusive of breakfast for two, for stays between September 23, 2025 to February 28, 2026. Find out more and make your booking via the hotel's website.
