Atlas Obscura - Places Newsletter

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06-11-2024

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	June 11, 2024

Welcome to our Daily Newsletter!

Hello, and thank you for signing up for Atlas Obscura’s Daily Newsletter! We’re so excited to welcome you and talk to you about the hidden wonders around the world.

Here’s what you can expect in your inbox every Monday to Friday. Every morning, you’ll get a newsletter rounding up our most important stories, covering everything from unique spots for chocolate lovers to forgotten Viking towns. Also highlighted: Some of the best Atlas Obscura Adventures and Courses we have available!

That’s it! Ready to start exploring? Scroll down to see the kinds of hidden wonders that await you. See you tomorrow, and stay curious.

Unusual Stories

A Hidden, Mysterious Portrait

Last spring, the Cincinnati Art Museum held a special exhibition showcasing works by five 19th-century French artists who used the still life genre to experiment with new painting techniques. One of those artists was famed Post-Impressionist Paul Cézanne, and the exhibition included Still Life With Bread and Eggs, one of his earliest masterpieces. A conservator decided to bring it down to the lab for some cleaning, which itself isn’t unusual. Finding a hidden painting underneath the paint, however, is extremely unusual.

The Recumbent Effigy of Victor Noir

19th-century political journalist Victor Noir was shot in a duel by Prince Pierre Bonaparte in 1870, making him a symbol of imperial injustice and a martyr for the Republic. After the downfall of the Second Empire, a bronze effigy was commissioned to the sculptor Jules Dalou in praise of his memory. The effigy is very realistic. Perhaps too realistic, given that a certain detail of Noir’s anatomy would soon get more attention than the sober realism of the memorial bronze.

FASCINATING LISTS

8 Gargoyles and Grotesques

“Gargoyles” have been used as far back as ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, as decorative water spouts designed to shift rainfall away from buildings and fancifully down to ground. It was in medieval Europe that they picked up the name (from the French gargouille, or “waterspout”) and began to resemble the ones we’re familiar with today, many of which are actually cosmetic “grotesques.” From the dark lord Vader to a bat-like vampiric rabbit, here are eight unusual gargoyles and grotesques around the world.

The Atlas Obscura Podcast

The San Juan Island Pig War

Have you heard our podcast yet? In case the answer is no, here’s a great one to start with. In this episode, we visit an island off the coast of Northwestern Washington where the killing of a British pig almost started a war between two of the world’s greatest military powers.

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Become a Member Today

Want to take the next step? By joining our membership program, you’ll not only become a champion of discovery—you’ll also meet other like-minded explorers along the way. Our members enjoy insider access to our members-only experiences and events, which includes special behind-the-scenes tours, curious seminars and lectures, and more. You’ll also get $100 credit towards your next Atlas Obscura Trip, alongside other perks. Sign up today!

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