Tuesday 10 May 2016 at 18:36
A set of amusing turn-of-the-century hypnotism posters showing hypnotised people up to various strange shenanigans.
Source: http://publicdomainreview.org/collections/hypnotism-posters-ca-1900/
Wednesday 4 May 2016 at 18:38
Defecating ducks, talking busts, and mechanised Christs — Jessica Riskin on the wonderful history of automata, machines built to mimic the processes of intelligent life.
Source: http://publicdomainreview.org/2016/05/04/frolicsome-engines-the-long-prehistory-of-artificial-intelligence/
Tuesday 3 May 2016 at 17:47
Based on the eponymous legend recounted in the Sanskrit epics, this is the very first full-length Indian feature — the beginning of Bollywood.
Source: http://publicdomainreview.org/collections/raja-harishchandra-1913/
Wednesday 27 April 2016 at 18:17
Skeletons up to all sorts in this light-hearted satire of James Thomson's poem Spring, from the pen of humorist Henry James Pidding.
Source: http://publicdomainreview.org/collections/new-elucidations-of-thomsons-seasons-1822/
Tuesday 26 April 2016 at 19:10
A book concerned with comparing animals with human faces, in particular those belonging to various nations and ethnic groups.
Source: http://publicdomainreview.org/collections/comparative-physiognomy-or-resemblances-between-men-and-animals-1852/
Thursday 21 April 2016 at 20:50
Keen to appear outward-looking and open to Western culture, in 1838 the Second King of Siam bestowed upon his son a most unusual name. Ross Bullen explores the curious case of Prince George Washington, a 19th-century Siamese prince.
Source: http://publicdomainreview.org/2016/04/21/george-washington-at-the-siamese-court/
Wednesday 20 April 2016 at 19:43
To celebrate the 400th anniversary since the passing of "The Bard", we've put together some of our favourite images to which his plays have given rise: including William Blake, Henry Fuseli, George Cruikshank, Robert Smirke, and Franz Marc.
Source: http://publicdomainreview.org/collections/shakespeare-in-art/
Tuesday 19 April 2016 at 17:54
1886 catalogue from the New York based company of stained glass artist Henry Belcher.
Source: http://publicdomainreview.org/collections/catalogue-from-belcher-mosaic-glass-co-1886/
Thursday 14 April 2016 at 15:43
A woodcut and description of strange UFOs seen in the skies of 16th-century Bavaria.
Source: http://publicdomainreview.org/collections/celestial-phenomenon-over-nuremberg-april-14th-1561/
Tuesday 12 April 2016 at 17:11
Depicting what was probably the most decisive moment of the Battle of Gibraltar, this remarkable painting by Dutch artist Cornelius Claesz van Wieringen, is also an extraordinary attempt to capture the gruesome realities of an explosion.
Source: http://publicdomainreview.org/collections/the-explosion-of-the-spanish-flagship-during-the-battle-of-gibraltar-ca-1621/