#Giuseppe De Nittis

[from-a-spiders-web]

Forum in Pompeii, 1875 Giuseppe De Nittis

[frostedmagnolias]

In The Wheat Fields (1873)

by Giuseppe De Nittis (Italian, 1846–1884)

[literaryvein-reblogs]

Writing Notes: Caffeine

Caffeine - A mild alkaloid stimulant made by some plants.

Found in coffee beans, tea leaves, and cocoa beans; added to soft drinks, energy drinks, and energy bars; and sold in capsules and tablets as a dietary supplement.

A mild stimulant. It is used to temporarily relieve fatigue and increase mental alertness. Caffeine is added to some antihistamine drugs to help counteract the sleepiness they may cause. It is also added to over-the-counter headache remedies (e.g., Excedrin) and migraine headache drugs to enhance their painkilling effects. Under medical supervision, citrated caffeine (a prescription drug) is used to treat breathing problems in premature infants.

From the Italian word cafée, meaning "coffee", is naturally made by about 60 plants. The most familiar of these are coffee leaves and beans, tea leaves, kola nuts, yerba mate, guarana berries, and cacao (the source of chocolate). In plants, caffeine is a pesticide. Insects eating plants that contain caffeine become disabled or die.

It has no nutritional value. But there seem to be some benefits to regular caffeine consumption, despite conflicting research.

Effects on the Body

Increases heart rate

Temporarily increases blood pressure

Relaxes smooth muscle cells in the airways

Releases fatty acids and glycerol in the body for energy use

Easily crosses the blood-brain barrier and changes the level of neurotransmitters in the brain

Passes into breast milk

Caffeine is absorbed in the stomach.

Its effects are noticeable in about 15 minutes and usually last several hours.

However, there is a huge variation among people both in their sensitivity to caffeine and in how long it stays in their bodies.

Although the average time it takes half a dose of caffeine to be eliminated from the body is 3-4 hours, this time may extend to 6 hours in women taking oral contraceptives; much longer in pregnant women and in people with liver damage.

Many well-designed, well-documented studies show that caffeine makes people more alert, improves short-term memory, enhances the ability to concentrate, increases the individual’s capacity for physical work, and speeds up reaction time.

In habitual caffeine drinkers, caffeine achieves this by preventing the detrimental effects of withdrawal.

It does not boost functioning to above normal levels.

All of these effects are temporary.

Caffeine does not replace the need for rest or sleep.

Caffeine Withdrawal

Discontinuing caffeine among regular users can cause withdrawal symptoms. These can include:

Headaches (very common)

Irritability

Nausea

Fatigue

Sleepiness

Inability to concentrate

Mild depression

Caffeine withdrawal symptoms begin 12–24 hours after caffeine is stopped.

Withdrawal symptoms peak at around 48 hours, and can last up to 5 days.

Tapering caffeine use, for example cutting down on caffeine by the equivalent of half a cup of coffee (about 50 mg) a day, minimizes or eliminates withdrawal symptoms.

Caffeinism

People who consume more than 500 mg of caffeine a day—equivalent to about five cups of coffee—may develop a condition called caffeinism, though the threshold varies among individuals.

Produces unpleasant sensations, some of which are similar to withdrawal symptoms. Symptoms of Caffeine Overuse include:

Restlessness

Irritability

Nervousness

Anxiety

Muscle twitching

Headaches

Inability to fall asleep

A racing heart

Related Disorders

Severe overuse of caffeine can cause a number of related disorders, including:

Caffeine Intoxication—usually the result of taking caffeine pills (e.g., NoDoz), this condition causes mental changes, rambling thoughts and speech, irregular heartbeat, and other symptoms associated with overuse. In severe cases death can result from ventricular fibrillation (unsynchronized contractions of the ventricle of the heart).

Caffeine-Induced Anxiety Disorder—severe anxiety that interferes with daily social interactions and occurs after caffeine intoxication or heavy long-term use of caffeine.

Caffeine-Induced Sleep Disorder—an inability to sleep that is so great it requires medical/psychiatric attention and occurs after prolonged caffeine consumption.

Non-Specific Caffeine-Induced Disorder—disorders not listed that are attributable to either acute or long-term caffeine consumption.

Source ⚜ More: Writing Notes & References ⚜ Describing Food ⚜ Cocktails

[venustapolis]

The Approach of the Storm (Giuseppe De Nittis, 1868)

[thunderstruck9]

Giuseppe De Nittis (Italian, 1846-1884), L'Amazone al Bois de Boulogne [The Amazon at the Bois de Boulogne]. Oil on canvas., 31.5 x 42.5 cm. Frugone Collections, Genoa

[byronthesecond]

Giuseppe De Nittis

Luce di abatjour

[walzerjahrhundert]

Giuseppe De Nittis

Elegant women in Hyde Park, London

1876

[tragediambulante]

Orange Kimono, Giuseppe de Nittis, about 1880

[ourstaturestouchtheskies]

The National Gallery and Saint Martin's Church in London - Giuseppe De Nittis // The Strand, London - Arthur Edmund Grimshaw // South London Forever - Florence + the Machine // Mermaids - Florence + the Machine

[fanning-the-flames]

Now for something different, the burning of Lotus Pier after Giuseppe de Nittis’ painting The Eruption of Vesuvius of 1872. Admittedly this one is closer to being just a repaint with very few details adjusted to recall the scene.

If you are not familiar, de Nittis was an Italian painter who was master of light and a contemporary of the famous Paris Impressionists. If you are lucky enough to have his work nearby (they rarely leave Europe) DEFINITELY seize the chance to see them in person!

I had actually a different Vesuvius painting of his in mind for a repaint for a different scene, but you know, I ignored the last chance I had to paint the burning of Lotus Pier so I had to do it this time.

Now for the closeup no one asked for:

[careful-disorder]

Giuseppe De Nittis, Veduta del Vesuvio

[from-a-spiders-web]

The Palace of Westminster, London, 1878 Giuseppe De Nittis

[unjouruntableau]

Giuseppe de Nittis, La place des Pyramides, 1875.

[literaryvein-reblogs]

Writing Guide: Metaphors & Similes

What are you trying to (re)describe?

What are you trying to imply about it? Is it positive, negative or neutral?

List some words that relate to this implication.

List some themes used in the rest of your piece.

List some ideas your audience is attuned to.

Choose random items from the lists you created and fill in the sentence below as many times as you can…

_____________ is like _____________ because _______________________________.

Once you've found a metaphor or simile that works, think of ways you can make it more specific…

Bring in a third concept to add more meaning to the comparison:

Qualify the original idea:

Qualify the thing being compared to:

Source ⚜ More: Writing Worksheets & Templates

[the-lost-lamb]

A field of wheat - Giuseppe de Nittis

[sesiondemadrugada]

Giuseppe de Nittis.