#anton chekov

My take on Chekov and Sulu's kids

Fashion Friday: Prince-Nez Glasses

Pictured Above:

Anton Chekov, Theodore Roosevelt, & FDR

Once upon a time, long before our specs went all mod & marvellously streamlined, there was the pince-nez: a decidedly dapper style of spectacles that perched, cool as you like, right on the bridge of the nose. No arms looping round the ears, no faffing about… simply a neat, springy pinch holding everything in place. The very name comes straight from the French ‘pincer’ (to pinch) & ‘nez’ (nose)… altogether rather continental, rather sophisticated, & just a touch “don’t mess with me” intellectual.

These little wonders really had their moment from the late nineteenth century into the early part of the twentieth, becoming terribly fashionable thanks to their compact size & pocket friendly design. Quite the scene, honestly. Often, they’d be teamed with a ribbon or a dainty chain so they could dangle stylishly when not in use… very “on the go,” very clever clogs chic. No surprise, then, that literary lions and brainy types, think Mark Twain, Anton Chekhov, and Theodore Roosevelt, were frequently pictured sporting them, giving off that unmistakable “I’ve read everything” air. Eventually, of course, fashions shifted, & the pince-nez picked up a reputation for being a bit old hat, perhaps even fussy, the preserve of eccentric professors & persnickety characters.

Although versions had been popping up around Europe since the fourteenth century, the modern incarnation really took shape in the 1840s & absolutely peaked between about 1880 & 1900. One slight snag, though: they didn’t always cling to the nose as faithfully as one might hope. Combine that with the lingering stigma about wearing spectacles all the time… terribly silly, but there we are, & you’ve got a recipe for many a misplaced pair. To keep disaster at bay, wearers often attached a chain, cord, or ribbon to their coat, lapel, or even an ear so the pince-nez could be whisked off in an instant without vanishing altogether.

In the 19th century, Russian culture reached its peak. In this "Russian Golden Age", arts, culture and especially literature became known worldwide. This is a list of small masterpieces written by the great Russian authors of this period.

1. Alexander Pushkin // "Little tragedies" (collection of short plays // 1830)

Pushkin is known as the first great poet of Russia. His realistic writing is combined with romantic, elegant elements. What not many people know is that he also wrote plays. "Little Tragedies" is a fascinating collection of 4 unique plays, later adapted for opera.

2. Mikhail Lermontov // "Masquerade" (theatre play // 1835)

Considered the greatest poet after Pushkin, Lermontov contributed to the enrichment of the Russian language and culture. A great romantic poet, he is also an important playwright. "Masquerade" is a play written in the specific, critical style of Lermontov, in which the idea of freedom and independence is debated.

3. Nikolai Gogol // "Petersburg Tales" (collection of short stories // 1843)

Known for his famous comedies such as "The Government Inspector" and "The Gamblers" and for the novel "Dead Souls", Gogol was an influential Russian writer. The small collection of stories "Petersburg Tales" includes a fascinating series of short stories from different genres.

4. Ivan Turgenev // "A nest of the gentry" ( short novel // 1859)

Turgenev is the Russian writer closest to the Western European literary tradition. Very critical of his fellow Russians, his novels and stories emphasize the decadence of the golden years, the war between generations and the misery of the contemporary spirit. "A nest of gentry" is a small novel easy to read, with a fascinating storyline and complex characters.

5. Fyodor Dostoyevsky // "Notes from the underground" (short novel // 1864)

I think there is no person who has not heard of Dostoevsky. One of the greatest writers of all time, his great novels have been translated into dozens of languages. Known as the faithful Orthodox writer, he develops the idea of the misery of the soul and human suffering. Many consider him the father of existentialism. "Notes from Underground" is a small novel that explores its big themes and is a fascinating read.

6. Lev Tolstoy // "The Death of Ivan Ilyich" (novella // 1886)

Tolstoy easily finds his place next to Dostoevsky. With a precious and analytical style, Tolstoy traverses the Russian bourgeois and aristocratic world and goes deep into both the mind and the soul of his characters. The novella "The Death of Ivan Ilyich" reflects on the serious theme of death in a tormented and poetic way at the same time.

7. Anton Chekhov // "Ward no.6" (novella // 1892)

The last of the great writers of the golden age, Chekhov is known as a great dramatist with an extremely refined and sometimes even dark sense of humor. He wrote most of his life comic stories that he published in satirical magazines. His least known works are the short stories, created in a much more philosophical and meditative style. "Ward no.6" is one of the most special of them, in which the doctor of a small town finds an escape from the monotony of his life in discussions with a patient from the mental ward.