Pleasure reading. Sister Carrie by Theodore Dreiser. (Chapters 7-10)

After taking money from Drouet, Carrie lost her head. She wanted to spend them on beautiful clothes and elegant things at once. But when she came back to earth she realized it was impossible, because she would have to explain her sister where she got this money.  That's why Carrie took a decision to return the money to Drouet.

Ultimately Drouet took Carrie under his wing. He persuaded her to leave her sister's house and rent a separate dwelling at his expense. He helped her to dress up in order to appear in society. Drouet wanted to care for Carrie. But Carrie understood: this cannot go on for ever. She must to find a job and support herself  on her own. But Drouet's courtings and beautiful Chicago's life she had so dreamed of made her forget about this problem.

Drouet introduced Carrie to his friend Hurtswood who also impressed the young girl very much.

Meanwhile, Carrie's sister Meeber was very anxious about sister's leaving. She didn't know where she went and it made Meeber suffer from nightsmares. 

Rendering 2. (Art)

The article "Local council hopes to block Banksy sale in America" by unknown reporter that was published on the Telegraph's website on Febraury 20, 2013 discusses the situation concerning the fate of a local mural. This is a piece of street art, which depicts a young boy hunched over a sewing machine making Union Jack bunting.

Speaking about this mural, it is necessary to explain that it was painted on the side of a Poundland shop, in the north of London, just before the Diamond Jubilee, and disappeared from there in order to be fetched up to £451,900 at Fine Art Auctions in Miami, Florida, on Saturday. But as it was revealed Haringey Council intends to bring back the artwork as it is a symbol of local pride. It is also neccessary to note that the Heringey councillors had to call on the Art Council to intervene in this affair. It is hard to predict the course of events, but there is every reason to believe that the Haringey council will keep its end up to return the Banksy mural into place where it belongs.

Giving appriasal of the situation, the author claimes that the Blanksy work possesses not only local but national significance of the art work. He notes that the Banksy created a huge amount of excitement when it first appeared, and residents were understandably shocked and angry that it has been removed for private sale. Moreover it was revealed that less than a year before this mural was painted, an area was rocked by riots, and for many in the community the painting has become a real symbol of local pride.

In the conclusion the reporter gives no assumptions concerning the mural's fate, but as for me, I can guess that it will be difficult for Haringey to gain a success in this affair. Unfortunatelly today art is also can be sold.

Pleasure Reading. Sister Carrie by Theodore Dreiser. (Chapters 1-6)

A 18-year-old Carrie Meeber went from her home Columbia City to Chicago where her older sister Meeber lived. The later agreed to take Carrie in for lodging payment. In a train, being full of contradictory anticipations, the girl met an attractive travelling salesman Charles Drouet who inspired her by his talks about wonderful city of Chicago. But on her arrival to point of destination the young girl faced an inimical city with indifferent and very busy people. Carrie's first trouble became a way of earnings to pay for her residence in her sister's apartment. Looking for a job Carrie spent all day long without result and nearly despaired of success, when finally managed to get a job in a shoe factory.

Meanwhile, Charles Drouet who wanted to visit Carrie but failed because of her refusal, had a rest in his usual way. He could afford expensive restaurants, but he usually gave preference to his friend Hurtswood's bar where all rich and successful people of Chicago rested. Drouet could be well-connected and Hurtswood's bar was a proper place for good acquaintances.

After several weeks of hard work at the machine, Carrie fell ill because she didn't have enough money to buy   warm clothes. As a result, she lost her job. Carrie realized that she has got no chance to stay here and was going to leave Chicago when she met Drouet again. Having knew about her poor situation, Drouet lended her money in order not to offend her. And Carrie felt that they became closer to each other.

Rendering 1. (Art)

   The article «Nearly 400-year-old secret painting in Rembrandt masterpiece revealed» by Megan Gannon was published on the website Foxnews.com on January 28, 2013. This article reports about a hidden portrait revealing in the masterpiece, "Old Man in Military Costume" by Dutch painter Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn.

   It was revealed that researchers had previously probed the painting with conventional methods, but could not see the behind the top coat, largely because Rembrandt used the same chemical composition for the underpainting and the final version. Speaking about studies of Rambrandt's masterpiece, it necessary to point out that today researchers use new and more sophisticated X-ray techniques named «macro X-ray fluorescence» to get to see who is depicted in the secret image. Giving appraisal of this process the author notices that compared to other techniques, the X-ray investigation is currently the best method to look underneath the original painting.

   Speaking of the hidden portrait, it's interesting to note that it was created by museum intern Andrea Sartorius, who used paints with the same chemical composition as those used by the Dutch master. Sartorius painted one portrait on the canvas and then an imitation of "Old Man in Military Costume" on top.  

   In conclusion the author assumes that the results of aforementioned studies will enable connoisseurs to determine the best possible approach to employ in upcoming study of the real Rembrandt painting. As for me I agree with the reporter but I believe that such an interesting case with the hidden portrait like this will become a new step in the investigation of artworks.