Best Ever Albums

Re: Top 10+ Music, Movies, and Visual Art of the Week (2020 - 2026)

AfterHours — Wed, 3 Jun 2026 14:11:57 GMT

Author: AfterHours

Posted: 06/03/2026 18:11

Link

Obviously not at the level of his future masterpieces, but nevertheless prodigious for a child, of significance to his development, and alludes thematically and symbolically to his future art.

Re: Top 10+ Music, Movies, and Visual Art of the Week (2020 - 2026)

AfterHours — Fri, 29 May 2026 11:24:42 GMT

Author: AfterHours

Posted: 05/29/2026 15:24

Masaccio

Holy Trinity

Link

Re: Top 10+ Music, Movies, and Visual Art of the Week (2020 - 2026)

AfterHours — Sat, 23 May 2026 16:03:27 GMT

Author: AfterHours

Posted: 05/23/2026 20:03

A fun, efficient snapshot, informative of the fundamental, general tenets of each

Link

Re: Top 10+ Music, Movies, and Visual Art of the Week (2020 - 2026)

AfterHours — Fri, 22 May 2026 20:50:35 GMT

Author: AfterHours

Posted: 05/23/2026 00:50

Bernini

Ecstasy of St Teresa

Link

Re: Top 10+ Music, Movies, and Visual Art of the Week (2020 - 2026)

AfterHours — Fri, 22 May 2026 14:10:35 GMT

Author: AfterHours

Posted: 05/22/2026 18:10

Though incomplete imo, this is a satisfying analysis of Michelangelo’s impossible David. Especially recommended is the section that shows and gives one a good idea of just how impossible the achievement was. This is hard to “explain” without visual aid, so this video makes a good partner to my own roughly drafted analysis on my Michelangelo page from several months ago (still incomplete and needs improved explanations in its own right)

Link

Re: Top 10+ Music, Movies, and Visual Art of the Week (2020 - 2026)

AfterHours — Tue, 19 May 2026 10:23:37 GMT

Author: AfterHours

Posted: 05/19/2026 14:23

Link

Re: Top 10+ Music, Movies, and Visual Art of the Week (2020 - 2026)

AfterHours — Sun, 10 May 2026 13:04:47 GMT

Author: AfterHours

Posted: 05/10/2026 17:04

AfterHours wrote:

Link

Highly recommended analysis of Caravaggio’s St Matthew cycle that I (mostly) agree with

Unless you speak Italian, you will want to adjust the language to English (or whatever your choice). The English translation checks out without a hitch far as I can tell … can’t vouch for the other translations one way or the other…

Note that — if you must — there is an English dubbed version of this broken up into 3 parts, but it is not as good, not as articulate and exact in its descriptions. Still worth watching if you just can’t stand subtitles or something, though it won’t give you quite as exact an interpretation as this one…

Main points I would add is that I think the Martyrdom of St Matthew (3rd painting on right of the cycle) doubles as a fear or admission of Caravaggios own sinful inclinations and guilt (he had a short, violent temper and had already begun to get in trouble with the law, and eventually wanted for murder to which he would die from illness while on the run).

Caravaggios tenebrism, stark contrast of light and dark is not merely theatrical, dramatic, but also always features hidden secrets, truths, ambiguous reality and figures amidst its shadow and light.

It is furthermore a quandary into the truth of Catholic belief, into his own worthiness of it. Caravaggio stages regular people (even using the homeless, poor, even prostitutes…) and in stark reality in his religious scenes where the transcendent reality is not obvious and in question between shadow and light. He does not believe, or at least questions the supernatural transfigured visionary scenes of a Michelangelo, of Mannerism, of contemporary Rubens and others, and so on, who’s religious conviction is far more evident and evangelical or overt or demonstrative or resplendent.

One has to really investigate the picture to find the supernatural and even here it is only overtly displayed in floating angels and (usually vague) display of wings and vague halos. Otherwise the reality is stark and the scenes are stationed in hyper realistic where their divinity is never clear, rather hidden, and can’t be definitively claimed or asserted.

In the Martyrdom painting it is always presumed that the angry man with the sword is who has stabbed and on the verge of killing Matthew but my theory is that it is Caravaggio, hidden in guilt and shadows and being whisked away in the background who has just done so, while the guard with the sword has just charged in to protect Matthew and lift him up by the arm, after the capture of Caravaggio who is being taken away to trial or prison.

Looking closer one will find that the figure of Caravaggio may have a sword or very large knife at his belt. Another figure, feathered cap, to the left of the guard that is grabbing Matthew, surely does, but it is also increasingly blanketed by shadow the further back into the picture and seems to mysteriously point and lead the eye back to the figure of Caravaggio, and the extended sword happens to line up and give illusion or allusion to the fact of a sword or large knife at his waist or that was there before (during the attack perhaps, but since dropped, his hand also extended as if it has just dropped something). It is ambiguous and not entirely clear if it is casting a perfect shadow of it right at that placement exactly where one could be or if there happens to be one on his person too, that so happens to cast a perfect shadow fusing his with the other in the foreground.

Regardless, Caravaggio has clearly painted this in such a way to lead the eye and confuse the cause and effect of such and to lend mystery to what has occurred. And it can be read as an extension of guilt and a hidden reveal of the murderous task that has just occurred, shrouded in darkness, with some details emerging in the contrasting light and theatrically placed shadow.

Caravaggio surely knew and, if my interpretation is correct, intentionally painted this in an ambiguous hidden way that his sense of guilt would not be too obvious, and probably knew it could and would likely be misinterpreted, the central figure “taking the fall” for him, an added layer of guilt of his own sinful or criminal inclinations and temperament (and up until then, without severe consequences)

Thus the painting is Caravaggio’s fear or admission of sin and that he cannot live up to the life of Matthew and a fear that he will not be able to bear and to follow the word as Matthew did.

In each painting can be ambiguously read on the faces of Matthew, no matter what else, a sense of doubt or apprehension of belief in the self, and this is in my opinion the additional meaning and admission of the painter.

One may also notice that the Martyrdom further turns the point of view from the side ways of the Calling, to the closer-in perspective of the Inspiration, to now the first person of this, where the scene opens of to a view that is straight ahead and looking head on and directly into the back of it, where through the chaos of bodies, ambiguous action, of the states of shock and surprise (of who the real criminal is and what just happened), and through the stark darkness and light, there is a looking into and at oneself stricken with guilt, looking back at what he has just done, while Matthew lay (open armed and laid out to God, full acceptance at his martyrdom).

The perspective, back to front into confrontation, the space, into consideration with the viewer (also Caravaggio’s first person POV in painting and looking into it), is angled exactly in alignment from Caravaggio’s perspective, internal point of view, from inside the painting out.

Re: Top 10+ Music, Movies, and Visual Art of the Week (2020 - 2026)

AfterHours — Sat, 9 May 2026 21:53:24 GMT

Author: AfterHours

Posted: 05/10/2026 01:53

Link

Highly recommended analysis of Caravaggio’s St Matthew cycle that I (mostly) agree with

Unless you speak Italian, you will want to adjust the language to English (or whatever your choice). The English translation checks out without a hitch far as I can tell … can’t vouch for the other translations one way or the other…

Note that — if you must — there is an English dubbed version of this broken up into 3 parts, but it is not as good, not as articulate and exact in its descriptions. Still worth watching if you just can’t stand subtitles or something, though it won’t give you quite as exact an interpretation as this one…

Re: Top 10+ Music, Movies, and Visual Art of the Week (2020 - 2026)

AfterHours — Sat, 18 Apr 2026 13:53:10 GMT

Author: AfterHours

Posted: 04/18/2026 17:53

As you may have noticed, several images were no longer loading on my Greatest Paintings, Sculpture, Architecture list, “Images and Links” section just below the main listing (first page of the thread).

This requires some upkeep, clean-up from time to time.

I am systematically going through the whole damn thing and making the sets of images per work a bit more concise.

For architecture/scultpure, means less photos per, but still prominent, usually very HQ ones, and still enough to give one an immediate taste of the works’ content and even physical traversal.

So far I have completed 7.8-9.9/10 works — all of them load, and faster, more efficiently than before.

I’ll be getting all the rest, 7.3-7.7 done too, as rapidly as I can (much more time consuming than it ever seems at first!)

After this clean up, I intend to add all the newer entries with accompanying images and artist pages.

The page was getting too bogged down before by all the loading and failed loading, making new additions a chore. Now, getting much easier… another reason for this order of things…

There are most likely more ratings changes coming too.

You may have noticed I’ve been revisiting and basically culminating a survey of the main body of the greatest Gothic Architecture. This has been very intentional and now one can basically see what I’ve determined of these (thus far, ratings and rankings not final) between 7.3s all the way up to the newest 8.8/10. Still more to add including some obvious, classic ones (Rouen for instance), coming soon as well.

Re: Top 10+ Music, Movies, and Visual Art of the Week (2020 - 2026)

AfterHours — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 18:52:41 GMT

Author: AfterHours

Posted: 04/16/2026 22:52

EXPLANATION: WHAT IS THIS LOG??? Go here: https://www.besteveralbums.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=571094#571094

For my criteria page, go here: http://www.besteveralbums.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=15503

To visit my Main lists, go here:
Greatest Classical Music Works: https://www.besteveralbums.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=15098
Greatest Albums (Rock & Jazz): https://www.besteveralbums.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=15276
Greatest Songs/Tracks/Movements: https://www.besteveralbums.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=15246
Greatest Films: https://www.besteveralbums.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=15558
Greatest Paintings, Sculpture and Architecture: https://www.besteveralbums.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=15560
Greatest Works of Art: https://www.besteveralbums.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=16117

Various (in progress) genre lists, listed in order of how recently I've worked on them:
Best Action/Adventure Films: https://www.besteveralbums.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=749761#749761
Best Comedy Films: https://www.besteveralbums.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=748991#748991
Greatest Literature: https://www.besteveralbums.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=691617#691617
Best Teen and/or Coming of Age Films: https://www.besteveralbums.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=683219#683219
Best Gangster and/or Hood Films: https://www.besteveralbums.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=682513#682513
Best Editing/Structure in Film History: https://www.besteveralbums.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=667443#667443
Best Visuals (Color) / Best Visuals (Black and White): https://www.besteveralbums.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=666231#666231
Best Horror Films: https://www.besteveralbums.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=656102#656102
Best Hip Hop/R & B/Soul/Funk Albums: https://www.besteveralbums.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=650323#650323
Best Animated Films: https://www.besteveralbums.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=647884#647884
Best Comic Book/Superhero Films: https://www.besteveralbums.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=646189#646189

Bold = Newly added
Bold + Italics = Was already listed but recently upgraded/downgraded

Top 10+ Music, Movies, and Visual Art of the Week(s): 3-30-26 - 4-19-26

Notre-Dame de Paris - Main construction principally directed under Bishop Maurice de Sully (1163 - 1260, main construction; various additions, updates, restorations thereafter; reconstruction of fleche and roof from fire damages: 2019 - 2024) / Parvis Notre-Dame – Place Jean-Paul-II, Paris, France [Architecture, including Stained Glass and Structural Sculpture]

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque

Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (Washington DC)

Houses of Parliament, London

The Beethoven Frieze - Gustav Klimt (1902) / Secession Building, Vienna, Austria [Painting]

Down Colorful Hill - Red House Painters (1992)

Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey - William of Volpiano (1060; Romanesque Church of the Abbey, Transept); Abbot of Torigni (1100s; structural reinforcement, main facade of Church); various modifications, reinforcements, thereafter (especially 1215 - 1228; various additions through 1390s) / Manche, Normandy, France [Architecture, including Stained Glass and Structural Sculpture]

The Gates of Hell - Auguste Rodin (1889 "Expressionist" Version; Unfinished, revised between two main versions, 1880-1917; Bronze cast 1926-1928) [Sculpture]

Salisbury Cathedral

St. Peter's Basilica - Principal Architects: Donato Bramante (Original design and began construction of central Greek Cross plan: 1503 - 1514); Michelangelo Buonarroti (Revised plan and construction with updated Greek Cross design heavily informing the final result less the later addition of Maderno's Nave and Facade; revision and main design of the central Dome: 1546 - 1564); Carlo Maderno (Revised to Latin Cross plan with addition of central Nave; addition of Facade: 1603 - 1629); Gian Lorenzo Bernini (Revision of St. Peter's Square, addition of Colonnade: 1656 - 1667) (Building completed and opened by 1626; various revisions and additions thereafter) / Vatican City, Rome, Italy [Architecture, including Structural Sculpture]

Taj Mahal - Ustad Ahmad Lahauri (1631 - 1653) / Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India [Architecture, including Landscape Architecture]

Sacré-Cœur Basilica

The Starry Night - Vincent van Gogh (1889) [Painting]

Chartres Cathedral - Master of Chartres (Anonymous French Architect) (early phase of construction from 1120s - circa 1165, with only the crypt, towers and West Facade surviving a fire of 1194; thereafter the main Gothic structure as currently seen was largely established structurally from 1194 - 1221; further completion and details from circa 1221 - circa 1250 with consecration in 1260; various modifications and additions thereafter) / Chartres, France [Architecture, including Stained Glass and Structural Sculpture]

David - Michelangelo Buonarroti (1501 - 1504) / Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze, Florence, Italy [Sculpture]

Sainte-Cécile Cathedral

Süleymaniye Mosque

Strasbourg Cathedral

Westminster Abbey

Santiago de Compostela Cathedral (original construction, primarily Romanesque: 1075 - 1211, Pricipal Architect: Bernard the Elder (late 1000s - mid 1100s?); Master Esteban (completed Romanesque Facade: 1103); Pórtico da Gloria, an early work of Romanesque sculpture, Master Mateo (completed 1188); Gothic construction, modifications (especially in the Cloister and some Interior features), more prominently major Baroque construction and modifications, these mainly from 1400s - circa 1770; most notably Fernando de Casas Novoa, constructing the North Tower (aka, da Carraca) and Baroque Facade (circa 1738 - 1760); various other, additions, modifications during that period and thereafter) [Architecture, including Stained Glass and Structural Sculpture]

Cologne Cathedral - Master Gerhard of Ryle (1248 - 1560, construction led by various architects after 1271; construction halted in 1560; resumed and completed 1842 - 1880) / Cologne, Germany [Architecture, including Stained Glass and Structural Sculpture]

Hungarian Parliament Building

Lincoln Cathedral

Death and the Maiden - Egon Schiele (1915) [Painting]

Jeronimos Monastery

Canterbury Cathedral

Church of Notre Dame du Haut, Ronchamp

Amiens Cathedral - Robert of Luzarches (1220 - 1228; Building Plan and Principal Architect); Thomas and Regnault de Cormont (1228 - 1258); Renaud de Cormont (1258 - 1288; Mostly constructed 1220 - circa 1270; modifications thereafter) / Amiens, France [Architecture, including Stained Glass and Structural Sculpture]

Wells Cathedral

Church of Gesù Nuovo

The Sleeping Venus - Paul Delvaux (1944) [Painting]

Rondanini Pieta - Michelangelo Buonarroti (circa 1552 - 1564; possibly unfinished or "an endless beginning") / Sforza Castle, Milan, Italy [Sculpture]

The Deposition - Michelangelo Buonarroti (circa 1547 - 1555; unfinished, abandoned) [aka, "Bandini Pietà" or "The Lamentation over the Dead Christ"] / Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, Florence, Italy [Sculpture]

Seville Cathedral - Alonso Martinez (Lead Architect of Main Structure, peak building period of: 1401 - 1506; after main structure completion, there were several variations and additions across centuries, each main period as follows: Main Gothic structure: 1401 - 1528; Renaissance additions/revisions: 1528 - 1593; Baroque additions/revisions: 1618 - 1758; Academic additions/revisions: 1758 - 1823; Gothic Revival additions/revisions: 1825 - 1928) / Seville, Andalusia, Spain [Architecture, including Stained Glass and Structural Sculpture]

Apollo and Daphne - Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1625) [Sculpture]

Saint-Nicolas Church - Walter Maria Förderer (1971) / Heremence, Switzerland [Architecture]

Winchester Cathedral

Laon Cathedral

King’s College Chapel

St. Stephan’s Cathedral (Vienna)

The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa - Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1647 - 1652) / Santa Maria della Vittoria, Rome, Italy [Sculpture, Architecture and Painting]

Gloucester Cathedral - Abbot Serlo (Original Architect; Norman (Romanesque) foundations: 1089 - 1120); possibly William de Ramsey or Thomas of Canterbury on various Gothic transformations; Abbot Frouster on the Great Cloister and Fan Vaulting (Gothic transformations: 1242 - 1457; this Gothic period is what shaped the Cathedral the most as we see it today: Early English Gothic Phase: 1242 - 1311, and Perpendicular Gothic Phase: 1351 - 1457; Cloisters: 1351 - 1412; Construction of Cathedral completed 1482; various modifications thereafter) [Architecture, including Stained Glass and Structural Sculpture]

The Main Cathedral of the Russian Armed Forces - Mikhail Fayantsev (2018 - 2020) / Patriot Park, Kubinka, Odintsovsky District, Moscow Oblast, Russia [Architecture, Square, Mosaics, and Structural Sculpture]

Top 10+ SONGS/TRACKS for the Week(s)

FAMILIAR ROCK/JAZZ ALBUMS - RE-RATED:

NEWLY LISTENED - ROCK/JAZZ ALBUMS - RATED:

NEWLY LISTENED - CLASSICAL WORKS - RATED:

FAMILIAR CLASSICAL WORKS - RE-RATED:

FAMILIAR SONGS/TRACKS/MOVEMENTS - RE-RATED:

NEWLY LISTENED - SONGS/TRACKS/MOVEMENTS - RATED:

FAMILIAR FILMS - RE-RATED:
SEE HERE FOR RECENT “ACTION/ADVENTURE” UPDATES: https://www.besteveralbums.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=752087#752087

NEWLY WATCHED FILMS - RATED:

FAMILIAR PAINTINGS/VISUAL ART - RE-RATED:
SEE HERE FOR RECENT “PAINTINGS/VISUAL ART” UPDATES:
https://www.besteveralbums.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=753512#753512

NEWLY VIEWED PAINTINGS/VISUAL ART - RATED:

FAMILIAR LITERATURE - RE-RATED:

NEWLY READ LITERATURE - RATED:

Not Rated to /10
Not Rated to /10
Not Rated to /10
Not Rated to /10
Not Rated to /10
Not Rated to /10
Not Rated to /10

/10 to /10
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TOP 50 WORKS OF ART OF THE YEAR (2026)
A Love Supreme - John Coltrane (1964)
Spiderland - Slint (1991)
Suicide - Suicide (1977)
Geek the Girl - Lisa Germano (1994)
Down Colorful Hill - Red House Painters (1992)
Yerself is Steam - Mercury Rev (1991)
St. Peter's Basilica - Principal Architects: Donato Bramante (Original design and began construction of central Greek Cross plan: 1503 - 1514); Michelangelo Buonarroti (Revised plan and construction with updated Greek Cross design heavily informing the final result less the later addition of Maderno's Nave and Facade; revision and main design of the central Dome: 1546 - 1564); Carlo Maderno (Revised to Latin Cross plan with addition of central Nave; addition of Facade: 1603 - 1629); Gian Lorenzo Bernini (Revision of St. Peter's Square, addition of Colonnade: 1656 - 1667) (Building completed and opened by 1626; various revisions and additions thereafter) / Vatican City, Rome, Italy [Architecture, including Structural Sculpture]
Improvisie - Paul Bley (1971)
The Doors - The Doors (1966)
The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady - Charles Mingus (1963)
Piano Sonata No. 32 in C Minor - Ludwig van Beethoven (1822)
Ys - Joanna Newsom (2006)
Y - Pop Group (1979)
Piano Sonata No. 30 in E Major - Ludwig van Beethoven (1820)
Laughing Stock - Talk Talk (1991)
Chartres Cathedral - Master of Chartres (Anonymous French Architect) (early phase of construction from 1120s - circa 1165, with only the crypt, towers and West Facade surviving a fire of 1194; thereafter the main Gothic structure as currently seen was largely established structurally from 1194 - 1221; further completion and details from circa 1221 - circa 1250 with consecration in 1260; various modifications and additions thereafter) / Chartres, France [Architecture, including Stained Glass and Structural Sculpture]
The Velvet Underground and Nico - The Velvet Underground (1966)
Bullet in the Head - John Woo (1990)
The Sagrestia Nuova - Michelangelo Buonarroti (1520 - 1533; final composition completed later: 1559) / Medici Chapel, Basilica of San Lorenzo, Florence, Italy [Sculpture and Architecture]
Mission: Impossible III - J. J. Abrams (2006)
Good - Morphine (1992)
Highway 61 Revisited - Bob Dylan (1965)
Master of Puppets - Metallica (1986)
David - Michelangelo Buonarroti (1501 - 1504) / Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze, Florence, Italy [Sculpture]
Piano Sonata No. 23 in F Minor "Appassionata" - Ludwig van Beethoven (1805)
St Paul’s Cathedral
Laurentian Library - Michelangelo Buonarroti (1524 - 1534; completed posthumously: 1571; Tribune of Elci rotunda added by Pasquale Poccianti in 1841) / Basilica di San Lorenzo di Firenze, Florence, Italy [Architecture]
Reims Cathedral - Jean d'Orbais (Principal Architect: 1210 - 1228; additional architects, construction, modifications thereafter with the main phase of construction from 1211 - 1275; further modifications through 1345, High Gothic, Rayonnant Style) / Reims, France [Architecture, including Stained Glass and Structural Sculpture]
Notre-Dame de Paris - Main construction principally directed under Bishop Maurice de Sully (1163 - 1260, main construction; various additions, updates, restorations thereafter; reconstruction of fleche and roof from fire damages: 2019 - 2024) / Parvis Notre-Dame – Place Jean-Paul-II, Paris, France [Architecture, including Stained Glass and Structural Sculpture]
Milan Cathedral - Begun by Simone da Orsenigo; Several architects thereafter (Begun 1386; several stages of development through 1965) / Milan, Italy [Architecture and Sculpture]
Batalha Monastery - Afonso Domingues (1388 - 1402); Huguet (1402 - 1438 in which several Flamboyant Gothic elements were added; changed architects posthumously, continued construction, revisions, additions through completion circa 1517) / Batalha, Portugal [Architecture, including Stained Glass and Structural Sculpture]
Houses of Parliament, London
Santiago de Compostela Cathedral (original construction, primarily Romanesque: 1075 - 1211, Pricipal Architect: Bernard the Elder (late 1000s - mid 1100s?); Master Esteban (completed Romanesque Facade: 1103); Pórtico da Gloria, an early work of Romanesque sculpture, Master Mateo (completed 1188); Gothic construction, modifications (especially in the Cloister and some Interior features), more prominently major Baroque construction and modifications, these mainly from 1400s - circa 1770; most notably Fernando de Casas Novoa, constructing the North Tower (aka, da Carraca) and Baroque Facade (circa 1738 - 1760); various other, additions, modifications during that period and thereafter) [Architecture, including Stained Glass and Structural Sculpture]
Westminster Abbey
Piano Sonata No. 30 in E Major - Ludwig van Beethoven (1820)
Mission: Impossible — Fallout - Christopher McQuarrie (2018)
Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith - George Lucas (2005)
The Conversion of Saul and The Crucifixion of St. Peter - Michelangelo Buonarroti (circa 1542 - 1545; circa 1546 - 1550) / Pauline Chapel, Vatican City, Rome, Italy [Painting]
Repeater - Fugazi (1990)
Safe as Milk - Captain Beefheart (1967)
Il Paradiso - Jacopo Tintoretto (assisted by son Domenico Tintoretto) (1588 - 1594) / Doge's Palace, Sala del Maggior Consiglio, Venice, Italy [Painting]
Ulm Minster - Heinrich Parler (Main Design and Principal Architect, mainly 1387 - 1391; continued construction and modification thereafter over centuries; first major construction phase: 1377 - 1543; further construction, modifications thereafter until 1890) / Ulm, Germany [Architecture, including Stained Glass and Structural Sculpture]
Basilica of Saint-Denis - Abbot Suger (Principal Architect, Main Construction including the Gothic innovations: 1135 - 1144; key Nave and Transept additions thereafter, mainly 1230 - 1280 with modifications thereafter) / Saint-Denis, France [Architecture, including Stained Glass and Structural Sculpture]
On the Way Down From Moon Palace - Lisa Germano (1991)
Gremlins 2: The New Batch - Joe Dante (1990)
Pieta - Michelangelo Buonarroti (1498 - 1499) / St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, Rome, Italy [Sculpture]
The Marble Index - Nico (1968)
Hex - Bark Psychosis (1994)
Sackcloth 'n' Ashes - 16 Horsepower (1996)
Desertshore - Nico (1970)

Re: Top 10+ Music, Movies, and Visual Art of the Week (2020 - 2026)

AfterHours — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 17:30:52 GMT

Author: AfterHours

Posted: 04/13/2026 21:30

“They’re just impressive buildings … … right?”

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S209526352100008X
https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S209526352100008X-gr15c.jpg

https://chartres.geometrycode.com/topics/chartres-sacred-geometry-the-middle-ages/
https://geometriesofcreation.lib.uiowa....rspective/
https://gogeometry.com/wonder_world/cha...tangle.htm

Re: Top 10+ Music, Movies, and Visual Art of the Week (2020 - 2026)

AfterHours — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 14:36:12 GMT

Author: AfterHours

Posted: 04/11/2026 18:36

Working on this now. Recommendations, discussion welcome

I also have made the overall “Greatest” list more user friendly by adding a space between each listed entry so (with their oftentimes extended titles/artists) they can now be easily differentiated from along the whole list. List is here: https://www.besteveralbums.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=15560

Paintings, Sculpture, Architecture - Ratings Updates - Running Log

Notre-Dame de Paris - Main construction principally directed under Bishop Maurice de Sully (1163 - 1260, main construction; various additions, updates, restorations thereafter; reconstruction of fleche and roof from fire damages: 2019 - 2024) / Parvis Notre-Dame – Place Jean-Paul-II, Paris, France [Architecture, including Stained Glass and Structural Sculpture] 8.1/10 to 7.9/10; 7.9/10 to 8.1/10; 8.1/10 to 8.4/10; 8.4/10 to 8.8/10

Guernica - Pablo Picasso (1937) / Museo Reina Sofía, Madrid, Spain [Painting] 8.6/10 to 8.5/10; 8.5/10 to 8.4/10

The Last Supper - Leonardo da Vinci (circa 1495 - 1498) / Santa Maria delle Grazie, Milan, Italy [Painting] 8.6/10 to 8.5/10; 8.5/10 to 8.4/10

Kailasa Temple - King Krishna I (circa 773) / Ellora Caves (Cave 16), Aurangabad district, Maharashtra, India [Architecture and Sculpture] 8.5/10 to 8.4/10

Borobudur - Gunadharma (circa 842?) / Magelang Regency, Central Java, Indonesia [Architecture, including Sculpture] 8.4/10 to 8.3/10

Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey - William of Volpiano (1060; Romanesque Church of the Abbey, Transept); Abbot of Torigni (1100s; structural reinforcement, main facade of Church); various modifications, reinforcements, thereafter (especially 1215 - 1228; various additions through 1390s) / Manche, Normandy, France [Architecture, including Stained Glass and Structural Sculpture] 8.4/10 to 8.3/10

Sainte-Chapelle - Jean de Chelles or Thomas de Cormont (1242 - 1248) / Paris, France [Architecture, including Stained Glass and Structural Sculpture] 8.4/10 to 8.3/10

The Beethoven Frieze - Gustav Klimt (1902) / Secession Building, Vienna, Austria [Painting] 8.3/10 to 8.2/10

Metamorphose de Narcisse - Salvador Dali (1937) / Tate Modern, London, England [Painting] 8.3/10 to 8.2/10

The Conversion of Saul and The Crucifixion of St. Peter - Michelangelo Buonarroti (circa 1542 - 1545; circa 1546 - 1550) / Pauline Chapel, Vatican City, Rome, Italy [Painting] 8.4/10 to 8.3/10; 8.3/10 to 8.1/10

Europe After The Rain II - Max Ernst (1940 - 1942) / Wadsworth Athenaeum, Hartford, Connecticut, USA [Painting] 8.2/10 to 8.1/10

Piazza dei Miracoli: Pisa Cathedral - Buscheto (Architect, 1064 - 1092) and Rainaldo (Facade, circa 1100); Pisa Baptistery of St. John - Diotisalvi (1152 - 1353, Pulpit: Nicolas Pisano, 1255 - 1260); Campinile (aka, "Leaning Tower of Pisa", 1173 - 1372) - Diotisalvi, then Benenato (1233 - 1259), Guido Speziale (1260 - 1272), Giovanni di Simone (1272 - 1284), Tommaso di Andrea Pisano (Bell Chamber, 1372); Camposanto Monumentale di Pisa - Giovanni di Simone (1278 - 1284, completed posthumously, 1464) / Pisa, Tuscany, Italy [Architecture, including Stained Glass, Mosaics and Structural Sculpture] 8.4/10 to 8.3/10

David - Michelangelo Buonarroti (1501 - 1504) / Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze, Florence, Italy [Sculpture] 8.3/10 to 8.0/10

Pieta - Michelangelo Buonarroti (1498 - 1499) / St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, Rome, Italy [Sculpture] 8.1/10 to 7.9/10

Cologne Cathedral - Master Gerhard of Ryle (1248 - 1560, construction led by various architects after 1271; construction halted in 1560; resumed and completed 1842 - 1880) / Cologne, Germany [Architecture, including Stained Glass and Structural Sculpture] 8.0/10 to 7.9/10

Sydney Opera House - Jørn Utzon (1959 - 1973) / Bennelong Point, Sydney, Australia [Architecture]
8.0/10 to 7.9/10

Monreale Cathedral - Begun by William II of Sicily in 1174; various modifications thereafter (1267) / Monreale, Sicily, Italy [Architecture, including Mosaics and Structural Sculpture] 8.4/10 to 8.2/10; 8.2/10 to 7.9/10

The Pantheon - Apollodorus of Damascus (circa 113 - 125) / Rome, Italy [Architecture] 7.9/10 to 7.8/10

The Sagrestia Nuova - Michelangelo Buonarroti (1520 - 1533; final composition completed later: 1559) / Medici Chapel, Basilica of San Lorenzo, Florence, Italy [Sculpture and Architecture] 7.9/10 to 7.8/10

The Kiss - Gustav Klimt (1907 - 1908) / Österreichische Galerie Belvedere, Vienna, Austria [Painting] 7.9/10 to 7.8/10

St Paul’s Cathedral - Christopher Wren (1675 - 1710) / London, England [Architecture] Not Rated to 7.6/10; 7.6/10 to 7.7/10

The Triumph of Death - Pieter Bruegel the Elder (circa 1562) / Museo del Prado, Madrid, Spain [Painting] 7.8/10 to 7.7/10

Geghard Monastery - Gregory the Illuminator (Monastery: 4th Century; Main Church: 1215; various additional chapels, architecture/sculpture: 1200s) / Kotayk Province, Armenia [Architecture and Sculpture]
7.7/10 to 7.6/10

Houses of Parliament (London) Not Rated to 7.5/10; 7.5/10 to 7.6/10; 7.6/10 to 7.7/10; 7.7/10 to 7.6/10

Batalha Monastery - Afonso Domingues (1388 - 1402); Huguet (1402 - 1438 in which several Flamboyant Gothic elements were added; changed architects posthumously, continued construction, revisions, additions through completion circa 1517) / Batalha, Portugal [Architecture, including Stained Glass and Structural Sculpture] 8.0/10 to 7.7/10; 7.7/10 to 7.6/10

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque - Yusef Abdelki (1996 - 2007) [Architecture] Not Rated to 8.1/10; 8.1/10 to 7.7/10; 7.7/10 to 7.6/10

Golden Gate Bridge - Joseph Strauss (1937) / San Francisco, California, USA [Architecture] 7.9/10 to 7.7/10; 7.7/10 to 7.6/10

Salisbury Cathedral Not Rated to 7.5/10; 7.5/10 to 7.6/10

La Fabrica - Ricardo Bofill (1973 - 2022) / Sant Just Desvern, Catalonia, Spain [Architecture] 7.8/10 to 7.6/10

Philosophy, Medicine & Jurisprudence - Gustav Klimt (1899 - 1907) [University of Vienna Ceiling Paintings; Destroyed in 1945] [Painting] 7.7/10 to 7.6/10

Stanza della Segnatura - Raphael Sanzio (1511) [Painting] 7.7/10 to 7.6/10

The Night Watch - Rembrandt van Rijn (1638 - 1642) / Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, Netherlands [Painting] 7.9/10 to 7.6/10

The Virgin - Gustav Klimt (1913) [Painting] 7.8/10 to 7.6/10

Sainte-Cécile Cathedral Not Rated to 7.6/10
Note: 7.6 or above is a bit dependent on how much of the elaborate interior design/decoration/wall and ceiling paintings/sculpture should be counted towards a combined single rating. Currently I am counting much of it, but more study is still needed… On architecture mostly or alone it is still compelling and rather unique on the exterior, but not as high…

Süleymaniye Mosque Not Rated to 7.6/10

Strasbourg Cathedral Not Rated to 7.7/10; 7.7/10 to 7.6/10

The Starry Night - Vincent van Gogh (1889) [Painting] 7.8/10 to 7.6/10

Death and the Maiden - Egon Schiele (1915) [Painting] 7.6/10 to 7.5/10

Imam Mosque - Ali Akbar Isfahani (1611 - 1629) [aka, Shah Mosque] / Naqsh-e Jahan Square, Esfahan, Isfahan Province, Iran [Architecture] 8.1/10 to 7.5/10

Hungarian Parliament Building Not Rated to 7.5/10

Westminster Abbey (London) Not Rated to 7.5/10

Amiens Cathedral - Robert of Luzarches (1220 - 1228; Building Plan and Principal Architect); Thomas and Regnault de Cormont (1228 - 1258); Renaud de Cormont (1258 - 1288; Mostly constructed 1220 - circa 1270; modifications thereafter) / Amiens, France [Architecture, including Stained Glass and Structural Sculpture] 7.5/10 to 7.2/10; 7.2/10 to 7.4/10; 7.4/10 to 7.5/10

Sacré-Cœur Basilica - Paul Abadie (1875 - 1914) / Paris, France [Architecture, including Stained Glass and Structural Sculpture] Not Rated to 7.6/10; 7.6/10 to 7.5/10

Ulm Minster - Heinrich Parler (Main Design and Principal Architect, mainly 1387 - 1391; continued construction and modification thereafter over centuries; first major construction phase: 1377 - 1543; further construction, modifications thereafter until 1890) / Ulm, Germany [Architecture, including Stained Glass and Structural Sculpture] 7.6/10 to 7.5/10

Lincoln Cathedral Not Rated to 7.5/10

Basilica of Saint-Denis - Abbot Suger (Principal Architect, Main Construction including the Gothic innovations: 1135 - 1144; key Nave and Transept additions thereafter, mainly 1230 - 1280 with modifications thereafter) / Saint-Denis, France [Architecture, including Stained Glass and Structural Sculpture] 7.6/10 to 7.5/10

The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa - Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1647 - 1652) / Santa Maria della Vittoria, Rome, Italy [Sculpture, Architecture and Painting] 7.6/10 to 7.4/10

Apollo and Daphne - Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1625) [Sculpture] 7.6/10 to 7.4/10

Moses - Michelangelo Buonarroti (circa 1513 - 1515) / San Pietro in Vincoli, Rome, Italy [Sculpture] 7.5/10 to 7.4/10

Primavera - Sandro Botticelli (1482) [Painting] 7.5/10 to 7.4/10

Ghent Altarpiece - Jan van Eyck (1432) [Painting] 7.5/10 to 7.4/10

Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception - McGinnis & Walsh (Architects); Jan Henryk De Rosen (Interior Design) (1920 - 2017) / Washington, D.C., USA [Architecture, including Stained Glass, Mosaics and Structural Sculpture] Not Rated to 7.6/10; 7.6/10 to 7.4/10

The Worship of the Golden Calf and The Last Judgment - Jacopo Tintoretto (1560 - 1563) / Madonna dell'Orto, Venice, Italy [Painting] 7.5/10 to 7.4/10

Jeronimos Monastery Not Rated to 7.4/10

Winchester Cathedral Not Rated to 7.4/10

Canterbury Cathedral Not Rated to 7.4/10

Saint-Nicolas Church - Walter Maria Förderer (1971) / Heremence, Switzerland [Architecture] 7.6/10 to 7.4/10

Seville Cathedral - Alonso Martinez (Lead Architect of Main Structure, peak building period of: 1401 - 1506; after main structure completion, there were several variations and additions across centuries, each main period as follows: Main Gothic structure: 1401 - 1528; Renaissance additions/revisions: 1528 - 1593; Baroque additions/revisions: 1618 - 1758; Academic additions/revisions: 1758 - 1823; Gothic Revival additions/revisions: 1825 - 1928) / Seville, Andalusia, Spain [Architecture, including Stained Glass and Structural Sculpture] 7.3/10 to 7.4/10

Laon Cathedral Not Rated to 7.3/10; 7.3/10 to 7.4/10

Return of the Prodigal Son - Rembrandt van Rijn (circa 1667 - 1669) / Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg, Russia [Painting] 7.4/10 to 7.3/10

View of Toledo - El Greco (1599) [Painting] 7.4/10 to 7.3/10

Lucretia - Rembrandt van Rijn (1666) [Minneapolis Institute of Art Version] [Painting] 7.4/10 to 7.3/10

Netherlandish Proverbs - Pieter Bruegel the Elder (1559) / Gemäldegalerie, Berlin, Germany [Painting] 7.4/10 to 7.3/10

Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte - Georges Seurat (1886) [Painting] 7.4/10 to 7.3/10

Christ's Entry into Brussels in 1889 - James Ensor (1888) [Painting] 7.4/10 to 7.3/10

The Battle of Alexander at Issus - Albrecht Altdorfer (1529) / Alte Pinakothek, Munich, Germany [Painting] 7.4/10 to 7.3/10

Belshazzar's Feast - Rembrandt van Rijn (circa 1635 - 1638) / The National Gallery, London, England [Painting] 7.4/10 to 7.3/10

Cypresses - Vincent van Gogh (1889) 7.4/10 to 7.3/10

Witches Sabbath (The Great He-Goat) - Francisco Goya (circa 1823) [Painting] 7.4/10 to 7.3/10

Las Meninas - Diego Velazquez (1656) [Painting] 7.4/10 to 7.3/10

The Descent from the Cross - Rogier van der Weyden (1435) [Painting] 7.4/10 to 7.3/10

Wells Cathedral Not Rated to 7.3/10

Church of Notre Dame du Haut, Ronchamp Not Rated to 7.3/10

The Ambassadors - Hans Holbein the Younger (1533) [Painting] 7.4/10 to 7.3/10

Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque - Mohamed Makiya and Edgard Bali (1994 - 2001) [Architecture, Stained Glass and Structural Sculpture] Not Rated to 8.0/10; 8.0/10 to 7.3/10

Church of Gesù Nuovo Not Rated to 7.5/10; 7.5/10 to 7.3/10

St. Stephan’s Cathedral (Vienna) Not Rated to 7.3/10

King’s College Chapel Not Rated to 7.3/10

The Crucifixion - Jacopo Tintoretto (1565) / Scuola Grande di San Rocco, Venice, Italy [Painting] 7.4/10 to 7.3/10

MIT Stata Center - Frank Gehry (2001 - 2004) / Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA [Architecture]
7.7/10 to 7.1/10

Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health - Frank Gehry (2007 - 2010) / Las Vegas, Nevada, USA [Architecture] 7.7/10 to 7.1/10

Guggenheim Museum - Frank Gehry (1991 - 1997) / Abando, Bilbao, Spain [Architecture] 7.7/10 to 7.1/10

Chemosphere - John Lautner (1960) / Los Angeles, California, USA [Architecture] 7.1/10 to 7.0/10

Ennis House - Frank Lloyd Wright (1924) / Los Angeles, California, USA [Architecture] 7.1/10 to 7.0/10

Sheats-Goldstein Residence - John Lautner (1963; updated by Lautner between 1972-1994; additional modifications posthumously through 2004) [Architecture] 7.1/10 to 7.0/10

Sandham Memorial Chapel: The Resurrection of the Soldiers & War Murals - Stanley Spencer (1929) [Painting] 7.4/10 to 7.0/10

The Main Cathedral of the Russian Armed Forces - Mikhail Fayantsev (2018 - 2020) / Patriot Park, Kubinka, Odintsovsky District, Moscow Oblast, Russia [Architecture, Square, Mosaics, and Structural Sculpture] 7.4/10 to 6.9/10

Robie House - Frank Lloyd Wright (1910) / Chicago, Illinois, USA [Architecture] 7.0/10 to 6.8/10

Not Rated to /10

Not Rated to /10

Not Rated to /10

Not Rated to /10

Not Rated to /10

Not Rated to /10

/10 to /10

/10 to /10

/10 to /10

/10 to /10

/10 to /10

/10 to /10

/10 to /10

/10 to /10

Re: Top 10+ Music, Movies, and Visual Art of the Week (2020 - 2026)

AfterHours — Thu, 9 Apr 2026 10:27:25 GMT

Author: AfterHours

Posted: 04/09/2026 14:27

DommeDamian wrote:

A few months back, I evaluated how I view movies. And it's funny because my four favorite movies aka the four movies I have given a perfect score to, resembled each a purpose. And I made them into 4 category. I'll share them and wanna know what you think.

Category 1
Movies as cinema. The classic film, and what you would expect to be the typical great movie: in terms of writing, dialogue, acting, pacing etc. Most of moviewatchers, and the top movies of both Letterboxd, RYM and IMDB fall into this category. My favorite film in here is Fight Club, but others include Citizen Kane, all of Scorsese and Coppola and most of Nolan, Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind, American Beauty, Scarface etc.

https://letterboxd.com/dommedamian/list/category-1/

Category 2
The innocent movies. Aka kids-movies, nostalgia-movies, animated movies etc. Movies that make me feel like a kid (again) by watching, and remind me to be a kid-at-heart, movies with colors. Comfort films in a sense. My favorite film in here is How To Train Your Dragon, but others include all movies in Dreamworks/Pixar/Disney and Studio Ghibli, Garfield, The Straight Story, Popper's Penguins, Land Before Time etc.

https://letterboxd.com/dommedamian/list/category-2/

Category 3
Movies as entertainment. Just pure entertainment, fun etc. This heavily means all sorts of comedies and action flicks. When you don't need to take things seriously and just wanna be entertained or have a good laugh. Movies to watch at slumber parties, with your friends high, that kind of thing. My favorite film in here is Who Killed Captain Alex?, but others include all of Jackie Chan films, The Jason Bourne series, The John Wick series, In Time, The Protector, Spider-Man and of course The Room (oh hi mark).

https://letterboxd.com/dommedamian/list/category-3/

Category 4
Atypical/arthouse/experimental films. Movies that are supposed to make you think, play with you, not serve you. Kind of the exact opposite of C3, whether you are entertained or not, you should be challenged seeing these. These are Hollywood's enemy. I assume that if you like a newer film, there's a big chance it's in this category. My favorite film in here is Persona but others include all of most european cult-loved directors (like Von Trier, Bela Tarr (RIP), Michael Haneke, Gaspar Noe), Stalker, Fellini's 8 1/2, Memento, Jacob's Ladder, An Elephant Sitting Still and majority of David Lynch etc.

https://letterboxd.com/dommedamian/list/category-4/

And of course, there are movies that are abit of a combination of 2 categories like:
Wall-E, 2001 Space Odyssey and Groundhog Day are a mixture of 1 and 2
The Matrix, Pulp Fiction, Beau Is Afraid, De Grønne Slagtere, and American Psycho are a mixture of 1 and 3
The Forbidden Kingdom, The Karate Kid and Guardians of The Galaxy are a mixture of 2 and 3
Jagten, Oldboy, Melancholia, Whiplash and The Conversation are a mixture of 1 and 4
Love Exposure and When Black Birds Fly is a mixture of 3 and 4.

Thank you for the explanations, nicely done and interesting lists Domme! Lot of favorites abound... Good stuff

Re: Top 10+ Music, Movies, and Visual Art of the Week (2020 - 2026)

DommeDamian — Thu, 9 Apr 2026 10:01:13 GMT

Author: DommeDamian

Posted: 04/09/2026 14:01

A few months back, I evaluated how I view movies. And it's funny because my four favorite movies aka the four movies I have given a perfect score to, resembled each a purpose. And I made them into 4 category. I'll share them and wanna know what you think.

Category 1
Movies as cinema. The classic film, and what you would expect to be the typical great movie: in terms of writing, dialogue, acting, pacing etc. Most of moviewatchers, and the top movies of both Letterboxd, RYM and IMDB fall into this category. My favorite film in here is Fight Club, but others include Citizen Kane, all of Scorsese and Coppola and most of Nolan, Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind, American Beauty, Scarface etc.

https://letterboxd.com/dommedamian/list/category-1/

Category 2
The innocent movies. Aka kids-movies, nostalgia-movies, animated movies etc. Movies that make me feel like a kid (again) by watching, and remind me to be a kid-at-heart, movies with colors. Comfort films in a sense. My favorite film in here is How To Train Your Dragon, but others include all movies in Dreamworks/Pixar/Disney and Studio Ghibli, Garfield, The Straight Story, Popper's Penguins, Land Before Time etc.

https://letterboxd.com/dommedamian/list/category-2/

Category 3
Movies as entertainment. Just pure entertainment, fun etc. This heavily means all sorts of comedies and action flicks. When you don't need to take things seriously and just wanna be entertained or have a good laugh. Movies to watch at slumber parties, with your friends high, that kind of thing. My favorite film in here is Who Killed Captain Alex?, but others include all of Jackie Chan films, The Jason Bourne series, The John Wick series, In Time, The Protector, Spider-Man and of course The Room (oh hi mark).

https://letterboxd.com/dommedamian/list/category-3/

Category 4
Atypical/arthouse/experimental films. Movies that are supposed to make you think, play with you, not serve you. Kind of the exact opposite of C3, whether you are entertained or not, you should be challenged seeing these. These are Hollywood's enemy. I assume that if you like a newer film, there's a big chance it's in this category. My favorite film in here is Persona but others include all of most european cult-loved directors (like Von Trier, Bela Tarr (RIP), Michael Haneke, Gaspar Noe), Stalker, Fellini's 8 1/2, Memento, Jacob's Ladder, An Elephant Sitting Still and majority of David Lynch etc.

https://letterboxd.com/dommedamian/list/category-4/

And of course, there are movies that are abit of a combination of 2 categories like:
Wall-E, 2001 Space Odyssey and Groundhog Day are a mixture of 1 and 2
The Matrix, Pulp Fiction, Beau Is Afraid, De Grønne Slagtere, and American Psycho are a mixture of 1 and 3
The Forbidden Kingdom, The Karate Kid and Guardians of The Galaxy are a mixture of 2 and 3
Jagten, Oldboy, Melancholia, Whiplash and The Conversation are a mixture of 1 and 4
Love Exposure and When Black Birds Fly is a mixture of 3 and 4.

Re: Top 10+ Music, Movies, and Visual Art of the Week (2020 - 2026)

AfterHours — Sun, 5 Apr 2026 12:04:27 GMT

Author: AfterHours

Posted: 04/05/2026 16:04

EXPLANATION: WHAT IS THIS LOG??? Go here: https://www.besteveralbums.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=571094#571094

For my criteria page, go here: http://www.besteveralbums.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=15503

To visit my Main lists, go here:
Greatest Classical Music Works: https://www.besteveralbums.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=15098
Greatest Albums (Rock & Jazz): https://www.besteveralbums.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=15276
Greatest Songs/Tracks/Movements: https://www.besteveralbums.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=15246
Greatest Films: https://www.besteveralbums.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=15558
Greatest Paintings, Sculpture and Architecture: https://www.besteveralbums.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=15560
Greatest Works of Art: https://www.besteveralbums.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=16117

Various (in progress) genre lists, listed in order of how recently I've worked on them:
Best Action/Adventure Films: https://www.besteveralbums.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=749761#749761
Best Comedy Films: https://www.besteveralbums.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=748991#748991
Greatest Literature: https://www.besteveralbums.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=691617#691617
Best Teen and/or Coming of Age Films: https://www.besteveralbums.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=683219#683219
Best Gangster and/or Hood Films: https://www.besteveralbums.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=682513#682513
Best Editing/Structure in Film History: https://www.besteveralbums.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=667443#667443
Best Visuals (Color) / Best Visuals (Black and White): https://www.besteveralbums.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=666231#666231
Best Horror Films: https://www.besteveralbums.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=656102#656102
Best Hip Hop/R & B/Soul/Funk Albums: https://www.besteveralbums.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=650323#650323
Best Animated Films: https://www.besteveralbums.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=647884#647884
Best Comic Book/Superhero Films: https://www.besteveralbums.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=646189#646189

Bold = Newly added
Bold + Italics = Was already listed but recently upgraded/downgraded

Top 10+ Music, Movies, and Visual Art of the Week(s): 3-30-26 - 4-12-26

Strasbourg Cathedral

Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (Washington DC)

Houses of Parliament, London

The Beethoven Frieze - Gustav Klimt (1902) / Secession Building, Vienna, Austria [Painting]

Down Colorful Hill - Red House Painters (1992)

The Gates of Hell - Auguste Rodin (1889 "Expressionist" Version; Unfinished, revised between two main versions, 1880-1917; Bronze cast 1926-1928) [Sculpture]

Salisbury Cathedral

St. Peter's Basilica - Principal Architects: Donato Bramante (Original design and began construction of central Greek Cross plan: 1503 - 1514); Michelangelo Buonarroti (Revised plan and construction with updated Greek Cross design heavily informing the final result less the later addition of Maderno's Nave and Facade; revision and main design of the central Dome: 1546 - 1564); Carlo Maderno (Revised to Latin Cross plan with addition of central Nave; addition of Facade: 1603 - 1629); Gian Lorenzo Bernini (Revision of St. Peter's Square, addition of Colonnade: 1656 - 1667) (Building completed and opened by 1626; various revisions and additions thereafter) / Vatican City, Rome, Italy [Architecture, including Structural Sculpture]

Sacré-Cœur Basilica

The Starry Night - Vincent van Gogh (1889) [Painting]

Chartres Cathedral - Master of Chartres (Anonymous French Architect) (early phase of construction from 1120s - circa 1165, with only the crypt, towers and West Facade surviving a fire of 1194; thereafter the main Gothic structure as currently seen was largely established structurally from 1194 - 1221; further completion and details from circa 1221 - circa 1250 with consecration in 1260; various modifications and additions thereafter) / Chartres, France [Architecture, including Stained Glass and Structural Sculpture]

David - Michelangelo Buonarroti (1501 - 1504) / Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze, Florence, Italy [Sculpture]

Sainte-Cécile Cathedral

Süleymaniye Mosque

Westminster Abbey

Santiago de Compostela Cathedral (original construction, primarily Romanesque: 1075 - 1211, Pricipal Architect: Bernard the Elder (late 1000s - mid 1100s?); Master Esteban (completed Romanesque Facade: 1103); Pórtico da Gloria, an early work of Romanesque sculpture, Master Mateo (completed 1188); Gothic construction, modifications (especially in the Cloister and some Interior features), more prominently major Baroque construction and modifications, these mainly from 1400s - circa 1770; most notably Fernando de Casas Novoa, constructing the North Tower (aka, da Carraca) and Baroque Facade (circa 1738 - 1760); various other, additions, modifications during that period and thereafter) [Architecture, including Stained Glass and Structural Sculpture]

Notre-Dame de Paris - Main construction principally directed under Bishop Maurice de Sully (1163 - 1260, main construction; various additions, updates, restorations thereafter; reconstruction of fleche and roof from fire damages: 2019 - 2024) / Parvis Notre-Dame – Place Jean-Paul-II, Paris, France [Architecture, including Stained Glass and Structural Sculpture]

Death and the Maiden - Egon Schiele (1915) [Painting]

Church of Gesù Nuovo

The Sleeping Venus - Paul Delvaux (1944) [Painting]

Rondanini Pieta - Michelangelo Buonarroti (circa 1552 - 1564; possibly unfinished or "an endless beginning") / Sforza Castle, Milan, Italy [Sculpture]

The Deposition - Michelangelo Buonarroti (circa 1547 - 1555; unfinished, abandoned) [aka, "Bandini Pietà" or "The Lamentation over the Dead Christ"] / Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, Florence, Italy [Sculpture]

Seville Cathedral - Alonso Martinez (Lead Architect of Main Structure, peak building period of: 1401 - 1506; after main structure completion, there were several variations and additions across centuries, each main period as follows: Main Gothic structure: 1401 - 1528; Renaissance additions/revisions: 1528 - 1593; Baroque additions/revisions: 1618 - 1758; Academic additions/revisions: 1758 - 1823; Gothic Revival additions/revisions: 1825 - 1928) / Seville, Andalusia, Spain [Architecture, including Stained Glass and Structural Sculpture]

Apollo and Daphne - Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1625) [Sculpture]

Saint-Nicolas Church - Walter Maria Förderer (1971) / Heremence, Switzerland [Architecture]

Winchester Cathedral

Laon Cathedral

King’s College Chapel

The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa - Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1647 - 1652) / Santa Maria della Vittoria, Rome, Italy [Sculpture, Architecture and Painting]

Top 10+ SONGS/TRACKS for the Week(s)

FAMILIAR ROCK/JAZZ ALBUMS - RE-RATED:

NEWLY LISTENED - ROCK/JAZZ ALBUMS - RATED:

NEWLY LISTENED - CLASSICAL WORKS - RATED:

FAMILIAR CLASSICAL WORKS - RE-RATED:

FAMILIAR SONGS/TRACKS/MOVEMENTS - RE-RATED:

NEWLY LISTENED - SONGS/TRACKS/MOVEMENTS - RATED:

FAMILIAR FILMS - RE-RATED:
SEE HERE FOR RECENT “ACTION/ADVENTURE” UPDATES: https://www.besteveralbums.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=752087#752087

NEWLY WATCHED FILMS - RATED:

FAMILIAR PAINTINGS/VISUAL ART - RE-RATED:
SEE HERE FOR RECENT “PAINTINGS/VISUAL ART” UPDATES:
https://www.besteveralbums.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=753512#753512

NEWLY VIEWED PAINTINGS/VISUAL ART - RATED:

FAMILIAR LITERATURE - RE-RATED:

NEWLY READ LITERATURE - RATED:

Not Rated to /10
Not Rated to /10
Not Rated to /10
Not Rated to /10
Not Rated to /10
Not Rated to /10
Not Rated to /10

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TOP 50 WORKS OF ART OF THE YEAR (2026)
A Love Supreme - John Coltrane (1964)
Spiderland - Slint (1991)
Suicide - Suicide (1977)
Geek the Girl - Lisa Germano (1994)
Down Colorful Hill - Red House Painters (1992)
Yerself is Steam - Mercury Rev (1991)
St. Peter's Basilica - Principal Architects: Donato Bramante (Original design and began construction of central Greek Cross plan: 1503 - 1514); Michelangelo Buonarroti (Revised plan and construction with updated Greek Cross design heavily informing the final result less the later addition of Maderno's Nave and Facade; revision and main design of the central Dome: 1546 - 1564); Carlo Maderno (Revised to Latin Cross plan with addition of central Nave; addition of Facade: 1603 - 1629); Gian Lorenzo Bernini (Revision of St. Peter's Square, addition of Colonnade: 1656 - 1667) (Building completed and opened by 1626; various revisions and additions thereafter) / Vatican City, Rome, Italy [Architecture, including Structural Sculpture]
Improvisie - Paul Bley (1971)
The Doors - The Doors (1966)
The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady - Charles Mingus (1963)
Piano Sonata No. 32 in C Minor - Ludwig van Beethoven (1822)
Ys - Joanna Newsom (2006)
Y - Pop Group (1979)
Piano Sonata No. 30 in E Major - Ludwig van Beethoven (1820)
Laughing Stock - Talk Talk (1991)
Chartres Cathedral - Master of Chartres (Anonymous French Architect) (early phase of construction from 1120s - circa 1165, with only the crypt, towers and West Facade surviving a fire of 1194; thereafter the main Gothic structure as currently seen was largely established structurally from 1194 - 1221; further completion and details from circa 1221 - circa 1250 with consecration in 1260; various modifications and additions thereafter) / Chartres, France [Architecture, including Stained Glass and Structural Sculpture]
The Velvet Underground and Nico - The Velvet Underground (1966)
Bullet in the Head - John Woo (1990)
The Sagrestia Nuova - Michelangelo Buonarroti (1520 - 1533; final composition completed later: 1559) / Medici Chapel, Basilica of San Lorenzo, Florence, Italy [Sculpture and Architecture]
Mission: Impossible III - J. J. Abrams (2006)
Good - Morphine (1992)
Highway 61 Revisited - Bob Dylan (1965)
Master of Puppets - Metallica (1986)
David - Michelangelo Buonarroti (1501 - 1504) / Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze, Florence, Italy [Sculpture]
Piano Sonata No. 23 in F Minor "Appassionata" - Ludwig van Beethoven (1805)
St Paul’s Cathedral
Laurentian Library - Michelangelo Buonarroti (1524 - 1534; completed posthumously: 1571; Tribune of Elci rotunda added by Pasquale Poccianti in 1841) / Basilica di San Lorenzo di Firenze, Florence, Italy [Architecture]
Reims Cathedral - Jean d'Orbais (Principal Architect: 1210 - 1228; additional architects, construction, modifications thereafter with the main phase of construction from 1211 - 1275; further modifications through 1345, High Gothic, Rayonnant Style) / Reims, France [Architecture, including Stained Glass and Structural Sculpture]
Notre-Dame de Paris - Main construction principally directed under Bishop Maurice de Sully (1163 - 1260, main construction; various additions, updates, restorations thereafter; reconstruction of fleche and roof from fire damages: 2019 - 2024) / Parvis Notre-Dame – Place Jean-Paul-II, Paris, France [Architecture, including Stained Glass and Structural Sculpture]
Milan Cathedral - Begun by Simone da Orsenigo; Several architects thereafter (Begun 1386; several stages of development through 1965) / Milan, Italy [Architecture and Sculpture]
Batalha Monastery - Afonso Domingues (1388 - 1402); Huguet (1402 - 1438 in which several Flamboyant Gothic elements were added; changed architects posthumously, continued construction, revisions, additions through completion circa 1517) / Batalha, Portugal [Architecture, including Stained Glass and Structural Sculpture]
Houses of Parliament, London
Santiago de Compostela Cathedral (original construction, primarily Romanesque: 1075 - 1211, Pricipal Architect: Bernard the Elder (late 1000s - mid 1100s?); Master Esteban (completed Romanesque Facade: 1103); Pórtico da Gloria, an early work of Romanesque sculpture, Master Mateo (completed 1188); Gothic construction, modifications (especially in the Cloister and some Interior features), more prominently major Baroque construction and modifications, these mainly from 1400s - circa 1770; most notably Fernando de Casas Novoa, constructing the North Tower (aka, da Carraca) and Baroque Facade (circa 1738 - 1760); various other, additions, modifications during that period and thereafter) [Architecture, including Stained Glass and Structural Sculpture]
Westminster Abbey
Piano Sonata No. 30 in E Major - Ludwig van Beethoven (1820)
Mission: Impossible — Fallout - Christopher McQuarrie (2018)
Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith - George Lucas (2005)
The Conversion of Saul and The Crucifixion of St. Peter - Michelangelo Buonarroti (circa 1542 - 1545; circa 1546 - 1550) / Pauline Chapel, Vatican City, Rome, Italy [Painting]
Repeater - Fugazi (1990)
Safe as Milk - Captain Beefheart (1967)
Il Paradiso - Jacopo Tintoretto (assisted by son Domenico Tintoretto) (1588 - 1594) / Doge's Palace, Sala del Maggior Consiglio, Venice, Italy [Painting]
Ulm Minster - Heinrich Parler (Main Design and Principal Architect, mainly 1387 - 1391; continued construction and modification thereafter over centuries; first major construction phase: 1377 - 1543; further construction, modifications thereafter until 1890) / Ulm, Germany [Architecture, including Stained Glass and Structural Sculpture]
Basilica of Saint-Denis - Abbot Suger (Principal Architect, Main Construction including the Gothic innovations: 1135 - 1144; key Nave and Transept additions thereafter, mainly 1230 - 1280 with modifications thereafter) / Saint-Denis, France [Architecture, including Stained Glass and Structural Sculpture]
On the Way Down From Moon Palace - Lisa Germano (1991)
Gremlins 2: The New Batch - Joe Dante (1990)
Pieta - Michelangelo Buonarroti (1498 - 1499) / St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, Rome, Italy [Sculpture]
The Marble Index - Nico (1968)
Hex - Bark Psychosis (1994)
Sackcloth 'n' Ashes - 16 Horsepower (1996)
Desertshore - Nico (1970)

Re: Top 10+ Music, Movies, and Visual Art of the Week (2020 - 2026)

AfterHours — Sat, 4 Apr 2026 21:57:01 GMT

Author: AfterHours

Posted: 04/05/2026 01:57

Link

Re: Top 10+ Music, Movies, and Visual Art of the Week (2020 - 2026)

AfterHours — Sat, 4 Apr 2026 19:20:04 GMT

Author: AfterHours

Posted: 04/04/2026 23:20

lesbianwalrus wrote:

Nice blog!

Thanks ❗

You’re back!?!?!?

Re: Top 10+ Music, Movies, and Visual Art of the Week (2020 - 2026)

lesbianwalrus — Sat, 4 Apr 2026 17:26:30 GMT

Author: lesbianwalrus

Posted: 04/04/2026 21:26

Nice blog!

Re: Top 10+ Music, Movies, and Visual Art of the Week (2020 - 2026)

AfterHours — Sat, 4 Apr 2026 12:15:43 GMT

Author: AfterHours

Posted: 04/04/2026 16:15

AfterHours wrote:

Working on this now (still movies too…). Recommendations, discussion welcome

I also have made the overall “Greatest” list more user friendly by adding a space between each listed entry so (with their oftentimes extended titles/artists) they can now be easily differentiated from along the whole list. List is here: https://www.besteveralbums.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=15560

Paintings, Sculpture, Architecture - Ratings Updates - Running Log

Guernica - Pablo Picasso (1937) / Museo Reina Sofía, Madrid, Spain [Painting] 8.6/10 to 8.5/10

The Last Supper - Leonardo da Vinci (circa 1495 - 1498) / Santa Maria delle Grazie, Milan, Italy [Painting] 8.6/10 to 8.5/10

Sainte-Chapelle - Jean de Chelles or Thomas de Cormont (1242 - 1248) / Paris, France [Architecture, including Stained Glass and Structural Sculpture] 8.4/10 to 8.3/10

The Conversion of Saul and The Crucifixion of St. Peter - Michelangelo Buonarroti (circa 1542 - 1545; circa 1546 - 1550) / Pauline Chapel, Vatican City, Rome, Italy [Painting] 8.4/10 to 8.3/10

Monreale Cathedral - Begun by William II of Sicily in 1174; various modifications thereafter (1267) / Monreale, Sicily, Italy [Architecture, including Mosaics and Structural Sculpture] 8.4/10 to 8.2/10

Notre-Dame de Paris - Main construction principally directed under Bishop Maurice de Sully (1163 - 1260, main construction; various additions, updates, restorations thereafter; reconstruction of fleche and roof from fire damages: 2019 - 2024) / Parvis Notre-Dame – Place Jean-Paul-II, Paris, France [Architecture, including Stained Glass and Structural Sculpture] 8.1/10 to 7.9/10

Batalha Monastery - Afonso Domingues (1388 - 1402); Huguet (1402 - 1438 in which several Flamboyant Gothic elements were added; changed architects posthumously, continued construction, revisions, additions through completion circa 1517) / Batalha, Portugal [Architecture, including Stained Glass and Structural Sculpture] 8.0/10 to 7.7/10

Strasbourg Cathedral Not Rated to 7.7/10

Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (Washington DC) Not Rated to 7.6/10

Houses of Parliament (London) Not Rated to 7.5/10; 7.5/10 to 7.6/10

St Paul’s Cathedral (London) Not Rated to 7.6/10

Süleymaniye Mosque Not Rated to 7.6/10

Salisbury Cathedral Not Rated to 7.5/10

Westminster Abbey (London) Not Rated to 7.5/10

Ulm Minster - Heinrich Parler (Main Design and Principal Architect, mainly 1387 - 1391; continued construction and modification thereafter over centuries; first major construction phase: 1377 - 1543; further construction, modifications thereafter until 1890) / Ulm, Germany [Architecture, including Stained Glass and Structural Sculpture] 7.6/10 to 7.5/10

Imam Mosque - Ali Akbar Isfahani (1611 - 1629) [aka, Shah Mosque] / Naqsh-e Jahan Square, Esfahan, Isfahan Province, Iran [Architecture] 8.1/10 to 7.5/10

Basilica of Saint-Denis - Abbot Suger (Principal Architect, Main Construction including the Gothic innovations: 1135 - 1144; key Nave and Transept additions thereafter, mainly 1230 - 1280 with modifications thereafter) / Saint-Denis, France [Architecture, including Stained Glass and Structural Sculpture] 7.6/10 to 7.5/10

Winchester Cathedral Not Rated to 7.4/10

Amiens Cathedral - Robert of Luzarches (1220 - 1228; Building Plan and Principal Architect); Thomas and Regnault de Cormont (1228 - 1258); Renaud de Cormont (1258 - 1288; Mostly constructed 1220 - circa 1270; modifications thereafter) / Amiens, France [Architecture, including Stained Glass and Structural Sculpture] 7.5/10 to 7.2/10[/b]

FYI for those interested: I will be updating the “images and links” section, updating the entries with fuller listings (architect, dates, etc), and adding new pages (on the “Greatest” thread) for any and all new entries as soon as I have more time… for now I’ve just been in a rush and put some key links for each on their listed entry, in bold blue (on the main list, first page, “Greatest” thread)…

Re: Top 10+ Music, Movies, and Visual Art of the Week (2020 - 2026)

AfterHours — Fri, 3 Apr 2026 15:50:39 GMT

Author: AfterHours

Posted: 04/03/2026 19:50

Link