Liberal Arts Blog — Memories of Louise Anne Munthe Cappellen (1923–2022)

Liberal Arts Blog — Friday is the Joy of Art, Architecture, Design, Film, and All Things Visual Day

Today’s Topic: Memories of Louise Anne Munthe Cappellen (1923–2022)

In honor of my mother’s passing last Saturday, most of this week’s posts will be dedicated to her. Today visual memories. First, her basic look. Second, the only visual record of my parents ever being happy together. Third, a photo of mom as a US Marine. Unfortunately, I am not now able to reproduce the photographs themselves for this post, but I plan to make a photo album of memories which I will share at a later date.

THE HUGE SMILE, THE BRIGHT BLUE EYES, THE LUXURIOUS BLOND HAIR IN A BUN ON TOP OF HER HEAD, THE RED LIP STICK

1. I never saw her put on make-up (except the red lip stick).

2. She never spoke about her appearance.

3. She hated shopping and had a tiny wardrobe.

NB: But she was always impeccable. And her favorite color was navy blue.

THE SKIING HONEYMOON IN MEGEVE, HAUTE SAVOIE, FRANCE

1. The only photographs of my parents in which they were happy together were taken during their honeymoon in Megeve.

2. They are strolling down the street hand-in-hand.

3. Both are wearing dark sun glasses.

NB: They look dashing and chic and well aware of it.

THE US MARINE CORP PHOTOGRAPH — once hanging in the lobby of the Kennedy Warren Apartments next to the National Zoo on Connecticut Avenue in Washington DC.

1. She must have been very popular during the war (1941–5).

2. Makes me think of the Irving Berlin song: “Gee, I wish I was back in the army.”

3. With the line “a million handsome guys with longing in their eyes all you had to do was pick the age, the weight, the size.”

NB: She never talked about herself and the war years were no exception.

Quote of the Month: “The single biggest challenge in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” (William H. Whyte, author of The Organization Man” (1856)

THE LAST FOUR YEARS OF POSTS ORGANIZED THEMATICALLY ARE AVAILABLE HERE:

PDF with headlines — Google Drive

ATTACHMENTS BELOW:

#1 A graphic guide to justice (9 metaphors on one page).

#2 “39 Songs, Prayers, and Poems: the Keys to the Hearts of Seven Billion People” — Adams House Senior Common Room Presentation, 11/17/20

YOUR TURN

Please share the coolest thing you learned recently or ever related to art, sculpture, design, architecture, film, or anything visual.

This is your chance to make some one else’s day. And to cement in your own memory something cool or important you might otherwise forget. Or to think more deeply than you otherwise would about something that is close to your heart.