The Public Domain Review

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.

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.

1886 catalogue from the New York based company of stained glass artist Henry Belcher.

A woodcut and description of strange UFOs seen in the skies of 16th-century Bavaria.

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.

Photographs demonstrating the process of embalming, from The Champion Text Book on Embalming, published in 1897.

This year marks the 400th anniversary of the death of Miguel de Cervantes, author of one of the best-loved and most frequently illustrated books in the history of literature — Don Quixote. Rachel Schmidt explores how the varying approaches to illustrating the tale have reflected and impacted its reading through the centuries.

Translating as Smile of April, this is a waltz composed by the French composer Maurice Depret performed by The Columbia Symphony Orchestra.

A woodblock print, by the late Edo period artist Utagawa Kuniyoshi, illustrating the story of an encounter with the Sea Monk or Umibozu, a spirit in Japanese folklore.

A wonderfully eclectic treatise on all things sundials and roses — jam-packed with photographs, illustrations, and diagrams.