Contemporary art in all forms - modern fashion trends

Mom's joy Anette and Charlotte: how twins with Down syndrome fascinated the whole world
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Mom's joy Anette and Charlotte: how twins with Down syndrome fascinated the whole world

When Rachel, 39, and Cody, 32, were told they would have twins, they were just happy. True, the second news, which was reported to them at the ultrasound, greatly alarmed the spouses: the girls have a heart defect, which means that they will need an operation. But the fact that the babies most likely have Down syndrome did not bother their parents at all. Ever since the girls were born, Rachel Prescott of Oregon has never stopped thanking God for sending her such adorable daughters, and her blog on

From Ancient Egypt to Pagan Rus: The History of Dolls That Were To Protect People from Adversity
Art

From Ancient Egypt to Pagan Rus: The History of Dolls That Were To Protect People from Adversity

In prehistoric times, dolls were not considered children's toys at all, but served as one of the attributes for ritual purposes, played the role of talismans and amulets. Representatives of different peoples, with the aim of self-preservation, were forced to protect themselves and their family from diseases and misfortunes, and their dwellings from evil spirits, to attract good luck, prosperity, health. Each country had its own secrets for this, but for many peoples a doll called Bereginya served as such a talisman

How an uncomplicated picture almost destroyed the artist's career and the heroine's reputation: "Portrait of Madame X"
Art

How an uncomplicated picture almost destroyed the artist's career and the heroine's reputation: "Portrait of Madame X"

When John Singer Sargent unveiled his portrait of a woman in black in 1884, Parisian society literally flared with indignation. The artist was forced to leave the country, and the heroine of the portrait went into the shadows for a long time. What so outraged the public in the 19th century?

The mystery of the death of the nuclear submarine USS Tresher has not yet been revealed
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The mystery of the death of the nuclear submarine USS Tresher has not yet been revealed

In the entire history of the fleet, eight nuclear submarines are known that sank as a result of the accident. First on this mournful list was the American boat Thresher, which still rests at the bottom of the ocean

Scientists have uncovered the secrets of the shipwreck of the Roman galleon of the time of Jesus
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Scientists have uncovered the secrets of the shipwreck of the Roman galleon of the time of Jesus

The Mediterranean Sea holds many secrets in its depths. In ancient times, if there was a shipwreck, then everything was lost. There was no chance to save at least some of the transported goods. The seabed is simply littered with the remains of ancient ships and their cargo. And no one knows what countless treasures are hidden by the thickness of sea sand at the bottom

"Triple Portrait of Charles I" by van Dyck: Riddle and Symbol of the Royal Order
Art

"Triple Portrait of Charles I" by van Dyck: Riddle and Symbol of the Royal Order

Anthony Van Dyck was one of the most influential artists of the 17th century. He created a new style for Flemish art and founded the English school of painting. The portrait of the English king Charles I is one of the most significant paintings by the master. What is the mystery of the triple portrait?

For which the mayor of the French province was sent to the guillotine in 1946: "Parisian butcher" Marcel Petiot
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For which the mayor of the French province was sent to the guillotine in 1946: "Parisian butcher" Marcel Petiot

It is extremely profitable and very safe to commit crimes during the war. This is the conclusion reached by the Frenchman Marcel Petiot in the early 40s of the last century. While his country was in the power of Germany, he, as they say, released his inner demons

Umbrella Bells and Flute Concert: How North American Indians Flirted with Girls
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Umbrella Bells and Flute Concert: How North American Indians Flirted with Girls

Indians in the mass representation of Europeans are, first of all, fierce and brave warriors. But the life of the indigenous North American peoples was not only war. They hunted, played, fell in love, and had families. True, the rules of Indian flirting will seem very harsh to us

Why the life of the creator of the TV series "Clone" was more dramatic than her scripts: Gloria Perez
Art

Why the life of the creator of the TV series "Clone" was more dramatic than her scripts: Gloria Perez

All over the world, people follow the fate of the characters that Gloria Perez invented, rejoice and grieve with them. The scripts she invented meet the resentment of some people and change the lives of others. The most influential woman in Brazilian cinema, she has shown that TV shows can influence society as much as religion and politics. However, her own life is many times more tragic than the stories she wrote

How a Soviet scout from the UN and became a world-famous sculptor: Elena Kosova
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How a Soviet scout from the UN and became a world-famous sculptor: Elena Kosova

The phrase “if a person is talented, then he is talented in everything” undoubtedly applies to Elena Aleksandrovna Kosova. The daughter of the commander, who became a scout with a perfect knowledge of the language, later turned into a sculptor of world renown. At the same time, being engaged in work and creativity, she lived almost her entire life in love with the only man with whom she started a family in her youth

The History of Hypnosis from Indian Yogis to Bruce Willis: The Oldest Healing Practice Recognized by Modern Science
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The History of Hypnosis from Indian Yogis to Bruce Willis: The Oldest Healing Practice Recognized by Modern Science

Surprisingly, hypnosis turned out to be almost the oldest medical practice - one that has not lost its relevance at the present time. Who was that first hypnotist who enjoyed the effect of his intervention in someone else's consciousness? This is unknown. But over the past centuries, there have been enough trance specialists, including doctors, to bring hypnotherapy to a deservedly high level

How to recognize sins and virtues in the paintings of the master of allegory Bruegel the Elder
Art

How to recognize sins and virtues in the paintings of the master of allegory Bruegel the Elder

The world knows Pieter Bruegel the Elder as an excellent painter, whose works, even after five centuries, have not lost their significance and relevance. They are both cognitive in terms of history and talented in terms of painting. However, in the 16th century, the brilliant artist was known not at all for his paintings, but for his graphic works. He began his creative career as a draftsman creating sketches for future engravings. And today two famous graphic cycles are presented in our virtual gallery

Dancing bronze girls created by a woman sculptor from France
Art

Dancing bronze girls created by a woman sculptor from France

Women sculptors in contemporary art are very rare. And you will be surprised to learn that there are still much more of them than women painters. Thus, the Frenchwoman Natalie Seguin, a world-renowned sculptor, created her amazing world of dynamic images, frozen in bronze. It is hard to believe that her fragile female hands are capable of creating surprisingly harmonious, at first glance weightless sculptures from solid material that captivate the viewer with grace and skill

How “sunny” woman Judith Scott found a twin sister after 35 years of separation and became a genius sculptor
Art

How “sunny” woman Judith Scott found a twin sister after 35 years of separation and became a genius sculptor

This amazing woman spent most of her life in an orphanage. Even in early childhood, those around her decided that she was not capable of communication, mental activity, feelings and emotions. Coming out of this "prison" after forty years, Judith Scott unexpectedly became an artist who today is called one of the geniuses of modern abstract art. Incapable of verbal communication, she was able to tell the whole world about her inner world with the help of unique, unlike anything else "sculptures"

The mystery of the Zakrevsky pyramid - the tomb of the Russian chief prosecutor, who was crazy about Egypt
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The mystery of the Zakrevsky pyramid - the tomb of the Russian chief prosecutor, who was crazy about Egypt

The mystery and hypnotic appeal of the Egyptian pyramids has always haunted fans of mysticism and the history of ancient civilizations. Fans of Egyptian culture in many parts of the world have tried and are trying to build something similar. On Ukrainian soil, for example, the so-called Zakrevsky pyramid, built over 120 years ago, became the most famous "copy" of the Egyptian wonder of the world. You can see this ancestral tomb even now

Secrets of the island, where pirates used to stay, and today - billionaires
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Secrets of the island, where pirates used to stay, and today - billionaires

Once upon a time, the island, which bears the name of Saint Barthélemy, served as a haven for those who want to profitably sell their loot and a place where countless treasures were kept. Evil tongues claim that the island is famous for this to this day. In any case, it has no equal in terms of the number of millionaires per square meter of land and expensive yachts per square kilometer of coastal waters

Cemetery Picnic: Why Food and Relaxation at Burial Grounds in the 19th Century Became Fashion in the United States
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Cemetery Picnic: Why Food and Relaxation at Burial Grounds in the 19th Century Became Fashion in the United States

For many people, the cemetery is associated exclusively with a place of sorrow and sorrow. But in the United States, only a century and a half ago, it was in the cemeteries that real picnics were held. And here young people met, relatives communicated with each other, and they just went to dinners arranged at family plots with the graves of the dead. This tradition was especially popular in the late 19th - early 20th centuries

In seventh heaven: 29 years of the artist Marc Chagall's declaration of love to his wife
Art

In seventh heaven: 29 years of the artist Marc Chagall's declaration of love to his wife

None of the famous artists conveyed so simply and accurately that airy, magical feeling of being detached from the earth that appears during falling in love, as one of the most famous representatives of the artistic avant-garde of the twentieth century. Mark Shagal. The artist met Bella Rosenfeld in Vitebsk in 1909, after 6 years they got married and spent 29 years together, until Bella's tragic death. All this time, he did not get tired of confessing his love and dedicating his paintings to her. Bella image embedded

Israel's Mysterious Treasures: A History of Ancient Gold Coins Tested for Purity
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Israel's Mysterious Treasures: A History of Ancient Gold Coins Tested for Purity

In an ancient harbor off the coast of Israel, members of an amateur scuba diving club have discovered a huge treasure of gold coins from thousands of years ago. It turned out to be the largest gold coin ever found in Israel. The find gave every reason to assume that the remains of an ancient shipwreck could be hidden in the depths of the sea. Probably, a ship carrying treasures sank here. And this is not Israel's only golden treasure

The cruel laws of the Middle Ages: for dissent - death
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The cruel laws of the Middle Ages: for dissent - death

At all times, people who at least somehow stood out from the crowd (physically or spiritually), became outcasts in society. In the Middle Ages, in general, all persons objectionable to the church were declared witches and sorcerers and were sent to the death penalty

The mystery of the famous "Chocolate Girl" Lyotard: the story of Cinderella or the predatory hunter for the princely title?
Art

The mystery of the famous "Chocolate Girl" Lyotard: the story of Cinderella or the predatory hunter for the princely title?

The Swiss artist Jean-Etienne Lyotard is considered one of the most mysterious painters of the 18th century. Legends about his travels and adventures have survived to this day no less than exciting stories about his paintings. Lyotard's most famous work is undoubtedly The Chocolate Girl. An interesting legend is connected with this picture: according to the testimony of the artist's contemporaries, here he portrayed a waitress who married a prince, to whom she once served chocolate in a cafe. But about character and moral

About Pastels
Art

About Pastels

The emergence of the pastel technique is attributed to the second half of the 15th century. Who owns the invention of this kind of painting is unknown, but one of the rarest early sheets using pastels belongs to Leonardo da Vinci. The Brockhaus-Efron dictionary mentions that the Louvre gallery contains a pastel portrait of an old nun, painted by the artist Dumoutier (father) in 1615

Arc de Triomphe from the Waste of a Civilization - impressive installation in Austria
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Arc de Triomphe from the Waste of a Civilization - impressive installation in Austria

Within the framework of the annual socio-cultural festival Lendwirbel, held in 2012 in Graz, Austria, renowned designer Markus Jeschaunig presented an unusual spatial composition Arc de Triomphe from the Waste of a Civilization

Unique collection: 25 color photographs of Moscow and Muscovites in 1931
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Unique collection: 25 color photographs of Moscow and Muscovites in 1931

We are used to getting an idea of the life of a century ago from black and white retro photographs. In this regard, it is especially interesting to look at old photos, where the life that was raging then is presented in bright colors. 25 unique color photographs of Moscow in 1931 make it possible to fully feel the rhythm of that time, which seems not so long ago in color

10 curious Hindu beliefs about what's going on "beyond"
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10 curious Hindu beliefs about what's going on "beyond"

Different countries and religions have a huge number of beliefs and rituals associated with death, and their own unique beliefs about what happens to souls in the world of the dead. The fear of death and the afterlife haunts almost every person, and everyone strives to hope that they will go to heaven, although in reality they do not know what awaits them "beyond the bounds." Some of Hinduism's Most Unusual Afterlife Perceptions

20 sensual photos from the first "nude" album officially published in the USSR, which became a world sensation
The photo

20 sensual photos from the first "nude" album officially published in the USSR, which became a world sensation

In 1987 - at the height of the era of totalitarianism - the presentation of the album "Flowers among flowers" took place at the international book fair in Moscow. This was the first nude edition officially published in the USSR. The album was a huge success and spread all over the world. Album author - Lithuanian photo artist Rimantas Dikhavicius

“I'm getting old. I begin to notice ": A poem in which everyone recognizes himself who is a little over
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“I'm getting old. I begin to notice ": A poem in which everyone recognizes himself who is a little over

Time flies, and sometimes we do not notice the course of his time. Is that because of the new wrinkles under the mother's eyes, and even according to the school diary of their children, when it suddenly turns out that they are far from the first grade, although they seem to have just recently gone to school. And we ourselves change, if we take a closer look at ourselves - just like the author of this poem

"Scary Marie": the incredible fate of the scandalous muse Renoir
Art

"Scary Marie": the incredible fate of the scandalous muse Renoir

No one knew when she was telling the truth and when she was lying. No one knew where she disappeared for several days. Nobody asked who the father of her child was. She was called "the terrible Marie" and was accused of prudence, eccentricity and heartlessness. Suzanne Valadon was one of the most popular models in Montmartre, she posed for Renoir and Toulouse-Lautrec. No one knew that she also paints and could become a successful artist

7 women who were the muses of great artists
Art

7 women who were the muses of great artists

The female portraits of great artists are literally breathtaking today. They are so different: gentle and strict, romantic, and sometimes very earthly. They witnessed the creative torments of the brilliant masters, consoled them and forced them to take up the brush again and again. Who were they really, amazing representatives of the fair sex, who inspired artists to create immortal paintings?

How three women influenced the life of the great Rembrandt: the Goddess, the mistress and the servant
Art

How three women influenced the life of the great Rembrandt: the Goddess, the mistress and the servant

Rembrandt Van Rijn is one of the most famous artists who literally turned the world of painting upside down. He was loved and admired, he was hated and believed that he was leading a riotous, blasphemous lifestyle. However, like the simplest man, he followed his heart, and in his life he loved three women, which brought him joy, sadness, troubles and, of course, inspiration

Moving to the USA and the return of Irina Rodnina: Why the legendary figure skater was called a traitor to the Motherland
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Moving to the USA and the return of Irina Rodnina: Why the legendary figure skater was called a traitor to the Motherland

September 12 marks the 69th anniversary of the legend of Soviet figure skating, three-time Olympic champion, the most successful figure skater in the history of pair skating, Irina Rodnina. During the Soviet era, she was one of the most famous athletes in the country, and in the 1990s. she had to leave for the USA. What prompted her to this decision, and why, even after her return to Russia, she hears accusations against her, - further in the review

11 women who achieved world fame by posing as men: Joan of Arc, J.K. Rowling, Charlotte Bronte, etc
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11 women who achieved world fame by posing as men: Joan of Arc, J.K. Rowling, Charlotte Bronte, etc

Women's lot is never easy, because many women had to hide, use various tricks and tricks just to do what they like and what they like. And today we will tell you about several famous and not so famous women who in their activities were forced to pretend to be men

Irina Rodnina - 70: How the queen of ice was tested for strength
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Irina Rodnina - 70: How the queen of ice was tested for strength

On September 12, the legendary athlete, Soviet figure skater, Olympic champion, public figure Irina Rodnina turns 70, 55 of which she gave to sports. She is called one of the best athletes of the twentieth century. and the most successful figure skater in pair skating history. However, her success came at a high price, her whole life was a series of tests that she overcame with athletic stamina and unfeminine endurance. Why the years spent in the USA became one of the most difficult periods for her

Age of love: a 40-year-old woman's reflections on life, relationships, and wardrobe
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Age of love: a 40-year-old woman's reflections on life, relationships, and wardrobe

I'm 40 soon. Not in a couple of years, not in a year, but just about. Good age, you will like it. I turned 39. And at the same time I was hit. Cabinet door! Along the crown. I felt like I was going through a disaster. Disaster your wardrobe

12 scandalous paintings by Diego Rivera, around which controversy continues to this day
Art

12 scandalous paintings by Diego Rivera, around which controversy continues to this day

Diego Rivera is one of the pioneers of Mexican muralism, famous for his realistic frescoes and vivid paintings. He was passionate about painting since childhood and began his art studies at the Mexican Academy of San Carlos when he was only ten years old. He migrated to Europe in 1907 and Theodore A. Dehesa Mendes, Governor of the Mexican state of Veracruz, sponsored his research there

Documentary photographs from besieged Leningrad and today chilling blood
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Documentary photographs from besieged Leningrad and today chilling blood

The troops of Nazi Germany took the Soviet city of Leningrad into a blockade for 872 days - from September 8, 1941 to January 27, 1944. Residents of the city and soldiers fought sparing no effort. The military losses during the defense and liberation of the city amounted to about half a million people, over 600 thousand Leningraders died of hunger. Today, it is simply impossible to look at photographs of that time without shuddering. It's hard to imagine how people were able to survive this terrible time

The Alchemist Scrolls, the Aztec Code, and Other Ancient Books That Are Cited as the Strangest in History
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The Alchemist Scrolls, the Aztec Code, and Other Ancient Books That Are Cited as the Strangest in History

Throughout the history of mankind, from the appearance of the first hieroglyphs and letters, and ending with modern philosophical treatises, people have used writing to express thoughts about life, about themselves, about the world around them and about their beliefs. But some books are large, complex treatises that cannot be deciphered today. Some have a completely incomprehensible origin, while others have content. Since the inception of literature, mankind has accumulated many such works that

Scarification is a bloody and painful way of "decorating" the body among African tribes
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Scarification is a bloody and painful way of "decorating" the body among African tribes

Talking about African tribes, one never ceases to wonder what traditions are still preserved among individual peoples. So for some Ethiopians, scarification is an integral part of their culture. Overcoming pain, residents "decorate" themselves with all kinds of dotted lines and reliefs, carving them on the skin

How was the life of a good sergeant from the famous photo
The photo

How was the life of a good sergeant from the famous photo

Military correspondents most often tell the world about the horrors of war, their goal is to create a documentary chronicle of sad and tragic events. However, in 1952, during the Korean War, a picture was taken that amazed everyone with nagging kindness. On it, an American sergeant feeds a still blind kitten with milk from a pipette. The photo instantly flew around the world, it was printed in almost two thousand newspapers and magazines, and the young American Frank Preighton suddenly became a celebrity

Hemp tea: original ceramic driftwood by Eric Serritella
Art

Hemp tea: original ceramic driftwood by Eric Serritella

If you had a chance to see the works of the artist Eric Serritella live, then you would hardly immediately understand what is extraordinary in them. At first glance, ordinary stumps and driftwood found in the forest, however, if you look at them more closely, it becomes clear that these are clay products. Moreover, very functional: the intricately curved tree trunks are nothing more than intricate ceramic teapots

Play of light and color in a new installation by the renowned French artist
Art

Play of light and color in a new installation by the renowned French artist

Daniel Buren, the greatest living artist in France, presented his new work Catch as Catch Can at the BALTIC Center in Gateshead (UK). You will be able to admire the color installation until October 12 of this year

Forbidden and Permissible in Islamic Painting: From Fine Miniatures of the Past to Modern Nudes
Art

Forbidden and Permissible in Islamic Painting: From Fine Miniatures of the Past to Modern Nudes

It has long been believed that in the countries of the Islamic world, the image of living beings, including people, is prohibited by religion. Is it really? On the one hand, artists are, as it were, allowed to depict living creatures, including their own kind, and on the other, there really is a kind of veto that prohibits not only the art of portraiture itself, but the very attitude towards it. Today I would like to shed light on these conflicting speculations

Winged dragons made of common driftwood: wonders of woodworking
Art

Winged dragons made of common driftwood: wonders of woodworking

Snag to snag, branch to branch - it's hard to believe that such a gorgeous dragon was created exactly like a puzzle, carefully picking up every part, every detail and finding the right place for it. The mythical wyvern, tumbling hares, horses racing in the coastal waves - all of them were created by a talented sculptor from the Philippine Islands

Plastic fantasies: eerie sculptures from former dolls
Art

Plastic fantasies: eerie sculptures from former dolls

The astonishing sculptures by Australian sculptor Freya Jobbins are made from plastic dolls that are no longer in use. Arms, legs, torso - all this is assembled anew, but in a completely different order and with an unexpected result. Freya's finished sculptures look at least strange and eerie, but in any case unusual

Original street art: a painting painted with a splash of paint
Art

Original street art: a painting painted with a splash of paint

The work of the Chinese artist Hua Tunan is easily recognizable among other street art works. He uses an unusual technique - paint splash painting. One of his last works was the image of a huge leopard. This is not just a portrait on the wall, but a whole art installation within the framework of an ordinary space

Kiev travel guide: addresses of 16 brightest and most patriotic street art masterpieces
Art

Kiev travel guide: addresses of 16 brightest and most patriotic street art masterpieces

Kiev is the heart of Ukraine, pulsating in time with the social changes taking place in the country. In recent years, a lot of high-quality graffiti has appeared on the streets of the capital, which can rightfully be called new city attractions. In our review - addresses of 16 best examples of Kiev street art

The philosophy of reflection: installation in the form of a mirror cube in Paris
Art

The philosophy of reflection: installation in the form of a mirror cube in Paris

The installation "The Ring" - a curious work by the French artist Arnaud Lapierre, was on display for three days on the Place Vendome (formerly Place Louis the Great) - one of the "five royal squares" in Paris

How a commoner mistress became a Portuguese mummy queen: Ines de Castro
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How a commoner mistress became a Portuguese mummy queen: Ines de Castro

The relationship between Ines de Castro and the Portuguese prince Pedro became the reason why a civil war broke out in the country and due to which the son turned against his own father. It ended with the fact that the local nobility and ordinary people were forced to kiss the hand of the new queen, however, already a dead woman. A secret marriage with the Infante Pedro infuriated his father, Afonso IV, a man interested in the death of a commoner whom her son fell in love with. However, after the hitmen finished off with

Creative woodcut. Exclusive handmade prints from the art studio Tugboat Printshop
Art

Creative woodcut. Exclusive handmade prints from the art studio Tugboat Printshop

Pittsburgh-based art studio Tugboat Printshop is known for amazing creative works created within its walls, created by such an unpopular method as wood engraving. Woodblock printing (a print on paper from a wooden printing plate) has long and been enthusiastically engaged in by the authors of the art studio, artists Paul Roden and Valerie Lueth. Moreover, they engrave each wooden shape by hand, and what is special about this is easy to guess, even if you glance at the illustrations

Last voyage: 25 sunken ships from around the world
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Last voyage: 25 sunken ships from around the world

The history professor from Argentina has a rather interesting hobby: he loves sunken ships. He has amassed a fairly large collection of photographs of old ships and encouraged other photographers to share their photographs on the topic. Cargo and passenger, small and huge, in the middle of the ocean and bogged down in the sand - in the resulting overview there are a wide variety of ships and boats, and it may so happen that some of them still hold treasures