Big Cats Come Alive on the Canvases of These Large-Scale Hyperrealistic Paintings

While you may rarely come across a big cat in real life, lions, tigers, and leopards appear to emerge from the canvases of Nick Sider. The New York City-based artist creates large-scale depictions of big felines that resemble close-up photographs. Through many hours of work, he renders all of his subjects with hyperrealistic detail.

Originally from Canada, Sider did not pursue painting until he was 25 years old. After he relocated to NYC, he started gaining recognition for his spectacular acrylic pieces celebrating wildlife. Although he paints a variety of different animals, big cats have been his muse since childhood, which he returns to time and time again.

Sider wants his paintings to “extend beyond what a photograph could ever capture.” So, in addition to utilizing realism, he enhances each portrait with an intimate view of the animal. These cat paintings are treated like portraits of human beings with an emphasis on their eyes and expression. “My favorite moment while painting is when a subject on my canvas begins to come alive,” Sider says.

Scroll down to see more big cat paintings by Sider and keep up to date with his latest work by following the artist on Instagram.

New York City-based artist Nick Sider creates hyperrealistic paintings of big cats.

He renders tigers, lions, leopards, and more in exquisite detail.

The large creatures come alive on the canvases.

England Queen Elizabeth Celebrates Turning 96 With a Portrait Honoring Her Loves in Life

 

Queen Elizabeth II of England recently turned 96 years young. To celebrate this momentous occasion, she shared a new official photo with the public via her social media accounts. The image features the queen standing between two of her white fell ponies named Bybeck Katie and Bybeck Nightingale on the grounds of Windsor Castle. She’s dressed in a dark green coat, which has poignant meaning as being her late husband Prince Phillip’s livery color. (The prince died a little over a year ago on April 9, 2021.)

There's more significance to be had from this photo. The horses aren’t just stately creatures chosen to pose with the monarch. Their inclusion is a nod to Queen Elizabeth's lifelong love of the animal. She and her sister, Margaret, received their first pony at age 4, and the queen rode horses around the grounds of Windsor Castle until just last year.

As noted in the Instagram caption, Queen Elizabeth is also a supporter and enthusiastic spectator of the annual Royal Windsor Horse Show; in fact, she’s attended every single show since it first began in 1943. This particular photo was shot by Henry Dallal, a photographer known for his images of equine beauty.

Queen Elizabeth recently celebrated her 96th birthday and shared a stately photo of her posing with two of her horses.

The Royal Family also wished her well through online tributes.

Wisteria Trees Make Spring the Most Magical Time to Be in Japan

 

Photo: Torsakarin/Depositphotos

The time between the middle of April and the middle of May is a magical time to be in Japan. It’s when the wisteria trees are in full bloom, and their beautiful vine flowers—some more than 30 feet long—transform otherwise ordinary places into fairytale locales.

It’s impossible to mention wisteria trees without celebrating the country’s most famous—and breathtaking—of the bunch. Located in the Tochigi prefecture's Ashikaga Flower Park, there is a massive wisteria tree that is over 150 years old. When in bloom, its long vertical flower clusters (also known as racemes) form a canopy to immerse you in a delicate purple world. That's not all the park has to offer, though. It has more than 350 different wisteria trees and a wisteria tunnel that you can walk underneath.

The flowers of this beautiful tree vary in hue. Although purple is perhaps the most well-known color, the species can have white, pale pink, or even yellow blooms. It’s all the better reason to visit as many parks as possible during this short window in spring. But if that’s not in the cards for you now, you can get a lot of enjoyment from photos, too. Scroll down to see the wisteria’s beauty captured in images.

Wisteria trees are some of the most beautiful flowering trees in the world.

Every spring, Japan comes alive when these trees bloom.

One of the country's most famous wisteria trees is located in the Tochigi prefecture's Ashikaga Flower Park. It's 150 years old.

The flowers of this beautiful tree vary in hue. It’s all the better reason to visit as many parks as possible during this short window in spring.

Notre-Dame Cathedral Found

Photo: Denis Gliksman, Inrap

Three years ago, the world was shocked when Paris' iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral went up in flames. As the church's vaults crashed to the ground, they opened up a hole in the 19th-century floor. Shortly after, the French National Archeological Institute (INRAP) was called in to excavate part of the floor in order to prepare for the scaffolding that would be needed to restore Notre-Dame to its former glory. Now, they are revealing some of their findings, including a human-shaped lead sarcophagus.

The incredible discovery is just one of many found in the complex, dense archeology located under the floor. Archeologists also dug up pieces of a lost rood screen that dates to about 1230. This type of ornately carved fence was used to separate the choir from the congregation and was common in late medieval churches. In the case of Notre-Dame, a large portion of the rood screen was demolished at the beginning of the 18th century, during the reign of Louis XIV. A few remaining pieces can be found in the Louvre.

Now, thanks to the excavation, large chunks of the rood screen have been discovered. This includes sculpted polychrome figures, as well as architectural elements. The presence of color distinguishes them from the remains in the Louvre. In many instances, it's even possible to see gold leaf.

Fragment of rood screen. (Photo: Denis Gliksman, Inrap)

One of the most exciting discoveries during the excavation are the tombs. Burial in Notre-Dame would have been reserved for the elite and locations close to the choir were the most sought after. Lead coffins discovered close to the choir in the past belonged to Queen Isabella—the wife of King Phillip II—and important archbishops. This time, around 10 plaster sarcophagi were unearthed, one of which included fabric embroidered with gold thread. But it's a human-shaped lead sarcophagus that is the most intriguing.

While research on the sarcophagus is ongoing, archeologists have already sent a camera inside. Using this technology, they identified plant remains, textiles, and dry organic matter. The artifact still needs to be dated and the person inside identified, but it's believed to be a 14th-century sarcophagus containing an important dignitary.

Now that the excavation is complete, researchers will pour through the finds and start DNA testing and analysis in order to fully understand what was unearthed. These discoveries are a silver lining in the tragic fire of Notre-Dame and the excavation's completion just means that we are one step closer to the cathedral's grand re-opening in 2024.

For the past three years, the French National Archeological Institute has been excavating part of Notre-Dame.

Excavation of rood screen (Photo: Denis Gliksman, Inrap)

One of the most interesting finds is a lead sarcophagus believed to be from the 14th century.

Lead sarcophagus surrounded by 19th-century heating flues. (Photo: Denis Gliksman, Inrap)

The human-shaped sarcophagus likely contains the remains of an important dignitary, given its location in the cathedral.

Lead sarcophagus in a masonry tank. (Photo: Denis Gliksman, Inrap)

Artist Food Transforms Ordinary Pieces of Toast Into Delicious Works of Art

Whether you prefer avocado, butter, or eggs, we all have our own way of dressing toast. However, even the fanciest homemade slices of bread can't compare to the delectable dishes prepared by Manami Sasaki. The Japanese designer specializes in transforming ordinary toast into edible works of art.

Scrolling through her Instagram, you will discover a range of unique designs inspired by art history, Japanese painting, and geometric patterns. “The reason I started doing toast art was lockdown. I was spending an hour and a half commuting to work, but working from home led me to wake up late and get lazy,” Sasaki says. “I wanted to get up early in the morning and create a morning routine that would excite me. That's when I started the toast art for breakfast.”

She creates each slice with an array of colourful toppings and spreads. Vegetables, fruits, herbs, and other ingredients are arranged on the bread to produce mesmerizing designs. Amazingly, Sasaki can also render human faces with edible ingredients; typically, resorting to different spreads to create shading and texture in the portrait.

Scroll down to see more toast art by Sasaki and follow the artist on Instagram to make sure you never miss an update.

Japanese designer Manami Sasaki transforms ordinary pieces of toast into delectable works of art.

She tops each slice of bread with a variety of colorful toppings to make geometric patterns, portraits, landscapes, and more.

First Known Female Pharaoh of Ancient Egypt

1914 photograph of the bust of Queen Sobekneferu that was lost in WWII (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

The title of pharaoh is synonymous with the grandeur of the ancient Egyptian civilization. This name—which means “great house” in hieroglyphics—was given to the rulers who led this large empire. And while the majority of these figures were men like King Tut and Ramesses II, there were a few influential women who earned the title. The first recorded female pharaoh was Sobekneferu.

After the death of Amenemhat IV, who may or may not have been her brother and husband, Sobekneferu assumed the throne. Although her reign only lasted about four years, she was the first known female ruler to adopt the full royal titulary and to be recorded in the Turin King List—a recording of ancient Egyptian kings written on papyrus. Her end as ruler marks the end of the Twelfth Dynasty of the Middle Kingdom of Egypt.

Here we will learn more about Sobekneferu and her significance.

 

Who was Sobekneferu?

Right: Bust of Amenemhat III, father of Sobekneferu (Photo: ArchaiOptix via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)
Left: 1914 photograph of the bust of Queen Sobekneferu that was lost in WWII (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Sobekneferu was the first recorded female pharaoh to rule ancient Egypt and the last ruler of the Twelfth Dynasty of the Middle Kingdom (c. 2055 BCE – 1650 BCE).  She was one of the daughters of the pharaoh Amenemhat III, although it is unknown which of his wives was her mother.

Her ascension to the throne is also unclear, but it is postulated that after Amenemhat IV died—the heir of Sobekneferu's father who may or may not have been her brother—she was put forth as the next pharaoh in absence of another male heir. Her relationship to Amenenhat III helped her assert legitimacy as a ruler.

Right: Bust of Sobekneferu in the Louvre (Photo: Neithsabes via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Left: Photo of the Karnak List of Kings in the Louvre (Photo: Mbzt Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0)

 

REIGN AS PHARAOH

When she became pharaoh, Sobekneferu adopted the full royal titulary, which was the customary naming convention consisting of five names used by pharaohs. She based her first name on the crocodile-headed god Sobek associated with pharaonic power, fertility, and military prowess.

Jean-François Champollion, Illustration of Egyptian god Sobek, 1823–1825 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

According to the Turin King List, Sobekneferu ruled for a total of 3 years, 10 months, and 24 days. Not much is known about her time as ruler, but it is believed that the Northern Mazghuna pyramid—an incompleted structure—may have been intended for her.

 

Other Female Rulers in Ancient Egypt

 

HATSHEPSUT (C. 1507 – 1458 BCE)

Temple of Hatshepsut, Luxor, Egypt (Photo: Siempreverde/DepositPhotos)

Hatshepsut (c. 1507 – 1458 BCE) was the second confirmed female pharaoh after Sobekneferu. She began as co-regent for her husband's son and heir, and after some time, adopted the full royal titularly. With a reign lasting 21 years, she had unprecedented power for a female ruler, maintaining peace in Egypt and constructing an extension to the Valley of the Kings so that her final resting place would be closer to her father, Thutmose I.

 

NEFERTITI (C. 1370 – 1330 BCE)

Bust of Nefertiti (Photo: wrangel/DepositPhotos)

Although not pharaoh herself, Nefertiti‘s (c. 1370 – 1330 BCE) name has persisted because she held a uniquely influential role as wife and queen, which we see in surviving depictions of her. Historians have gleaned that Nefertiti was a major proponent of Akhenaten's religious and cultural movement. She represented the female aspect of Aten while her husband represented the male—and both acted as a bridge between Aten and the Egyptian people.

 

Nature Photographer of the Year - 2022

 

“The florist” by Thomas Hempelmann. Overall Winner.
“This male kestrel could hardly have chosen a more beautiful perch. The picture was taken in Greifswald, northern Germany.”

Ayoung wildlife photographer rose to the top of the competition and took home the title of Nature Photographer of the Year in the German Society for Nature Photographer's annual contest. Thomas Hempelmann is just 23 years old, but he's proved to be a force in the photography world. His image of a male kestrel perched on a branch filled with blooms beat out 6,400 other photos for the win.

The GDT Nature Photographer of the Year is an annual celebration for the society's 400 members. Across several categories that celebrate all aspects of nature, the photographs demonstrate their exceptional talent. From exotic locations in Kenya to the forests of Germany, the images show how award-winning photography can be captured anywhere. In fact, the story behind Hempelmann's winning photo is a perfect example.

Hempelmann was on his way home from an unremarkable photo tour when he stopped to photograph a bird of prey on a lamppost. Those photos may not have been remarkable, but what happened next certainly was. “When the kestrel rose up and then settled between the white blossoms that I had already spotted from the corner of my eye, my heart began to beat faster as I had imagined such a situation many times before,” the German photographer shares. “While I was still pondering whether to take off my 2x extender to include more of the tree in the picture, he was already gone again. In the end, it was only a few seconds that made my day and I whistled loudly with joy all the way home.”

The other category winners are equally impressive. Felix Wesch's photo of foxgloves and ferns looks like an oil painting and Radomir Jakubowski's image of a wave frozen in time is a sculptural masterpiece. Other notable images include Stefan Imig's portrait of a beech tree. The photographer took home this year's special award celebrating the beech, which is one of the most ecologically important tree species in Germany.

Take a look at more of the winners and runners up below.

The GDT Nature Photographer of the Year is an annual celebration for Germany's Nature Photography Society.

“Hippo Spout” by Jose Fragozo. Winner, Mammals.
“At sunrise in the Masai Mara National Park (Kenya) a hippo emerges emitting a cloud of water droplets.”

“Foxglove and fern” by Felix Wesch. Winner, Plants and Fungi.
“Foxglove and fern in a birch forest near Wahner Heath, western Germany.”

“Barn Owl” by Karsten Mosebach. Runner Up, Birds.
“A barn owl passes over an LED light. A flash lights up at the end of the exposure time, and a dark cloth dims the background.”

“Take off” by Heinz Buls. Winner, Other Animals.
“Ritualized fight between stag beetles at sunset on the Swabian Albs.”

“The Wave” by Radomir Jakubowski. Winner, Nature's Studio.
“A wave, illuminated by the rising sun. Black lava rocks provide a dark background.”

400 members from 11 countries submitted their best work for consideration.

“Springtime dream” by Stefan Wagner. Runner-up, Plants and Fungi.
“Every year in March, the wood anemones (Anemone nemorosa) adorn the forest floor and invite our dreams to flourish after a usually grey winter.”

“Wasgau Illumination” by Steffen Jung. Winner, Landscapes.
“Wintery sunrise at Wegelnburg, Palatinate.”

“Curved” by Frauke Fuck. 4th Place, Nature's Studio.
“Detail of a red fly agaric (Amanita muscaria) near Remscheid in the Bergisches Land region of Germany.”

“Seeweed toy” by Celia Kujala. 5th Place, Mammals.
“A young California sea lion plays with kelp off Islas Coronado (Mexico) while another juvenile watches.”

“Reflections in the March meadows” by Joachim Wimmer. 3rd Place, Landscapes.
“A foggy day at the floodplains of the March, a boundary river between Austria and Slovakia.”

“In motion” by Christian-Dietrich Morawitz. Runner-up, Other Animals.
“A tadpole of the green toad in a muddy puddle.”

“Common beech in a fog” by Stefan Imig. A special category in cooperation with the NABU-Foundation for National Natural Heritage: The Beech—Tree of the Year 2022.
“Old beech tree at Kellerwald-Eidersee National Park.”