Category: Culture

A scholar believes she’s figured out where the backdrop of the “Mona Lisa” comes from, after centuries of debate among art experts. Ann Pizzorusso, a geologist and Italian Renaissance specialist, thinks it’s in Lecco, northern Italy.

She points to the 14th-century Ponte Azzone Visconti in Lecco as the bridge in the painting, despite previous theories suggesting other locations like Arezzo and Bobbio.

Pizzorusso’s confidence comes from her geological knowledge, which she says supports her claim better than previous hypotheses.

Her research indicates that the limestone rock formations in Lecco match those seen behind the Mona Lisa. Pizzorusso’s findings highlight the intersection of art and science in Leonardo’s work, according to Michael Daley of ArtWatch UK, who praises her scientific understanding over traditional art history interpretations.

To help reduce anxiety and promote learning, several elementary schools in Michigan have enlisted service dogs, and students are already seeing improvements in their academics, according to WXMI-TV 17.

In September, Priority Health, a Michigan health insurance provider, launched the Priority Pups program, placing goldendoodles in two school districts with plans for further expansion. These dogs visit different classrooms daily, providing comfort and support.

Research shows that the presence of trained dogs reduces children’s stress, encourages a positive attitude toward learning, and improves interactions between classmates. This initiative is especially timely, as a 2023 report from Mental Health America revealed that many young people in Michigan with clinical depression did not receive mental health treatment.

Shelby, a student at North Godwin Elementary School, has directly benefited from the program. Diagnosed with Fragile X Syndrome, autism, and ADHD, Shelby struggles with her emotions at school. Her mother, Laurie Uhl, described the difference the goldendoodle Meeka has made.

“When Shelby has a meltdown, Meeka’s presence immediately calms her down,” Uhl explained.

The program’s success is due in part to Canines for Change, founded in 2005 by Dr. Nikki Brown, a school psychologist for the Lansing School District. Dr. Brown noticed significant improvements in skills and behavior when she brought her Corgi to work with special education students. She then partnered with another trainer to offer service dogs for children with special needs.

J.K. Rowling’s novel “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone,” published in 1997, marked the genesis of a global phenomenon. Now, the original illustration for the first edition of the book is set to be auctioned.

Expected to fetch up to $600,000 at Sotheby’s auction next month, it holds the highest presale valuation ever for a Harry Potter-related item, as reported by the auction house.

The cover art, a watercolor creation by author and illustrator Thomas Taylor, depicts the iconic image of Harry Potter, complete with his distinctive features of dark, tousled hair, round glasses, and lightning bolt scar, preparing to embark on his journey to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry aboard the Hogwarts Express.

Originally auctioned at Sotheby’s in London in 2001, the illustration fetched a staggering £85,750 (approximately $106,000), surpassing its estimated value by four times, according to a Sotheby’s press release.

Now, over two decades later, it returns to auction with the potential to not only surpass its previous sale value but also set a new record for any Harry Potter-related item, the auction house notes.

The current record for an item related to the book series stands at $421,000, held by an unsigned first edition of “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone,” sold at Heritage Auctions in Dallas, Texas, in 2021, according to Sotheby’s.

The illustration will be up for auction on June 26 at Sotheby’s in New York, alongside other works of English and American Literature.