In 1811, Japanese artist Hokusai Katsushika (葛飾 北斎; c. 31 October 1760 – 10 May 1849) changed his name to Taito and began work on his Hokusai Manga (curious drawings) and various etehon, or art manuals. His first volume of Manga was published in 1814 and was an immediate success. He produced twelve volumes in his lifetime, with three more published posthumously. The volumes are block-printed in black, grey and pink, and contain depictions of multitude of things, including people, natural features, constructions, landscapes and work tools. Each page collects a set of different illustrations tied to a specific theme or a series of variations on the same figure, intended to explain different kinds of movements.     “From the age of six, I had a passion for copying the form of things and since the age of fifty I have published many drawings, yet of all I drew by my seventieth year there is nothing worth taking into account. At seventy-three years I partly understood the structure of animals, birds, insects and fishes, and the life of grasses and plants. And so, at eighty-six I shall progress further; at ninety I shall even further penetrate their secret meaning, and by one hundred I shall perhaps truly have reached the level of the marvellous and divine. When I am one hundred and ten, each dot, each line will possess a life of its own.” – Hokusai Katsushika         14 out of 15 Hokusai’s Manga are hosted under a Public Domain License on Archive.org The post Hokusai’s Manga, 1814-1878 – 15 Books of Everything appeared first on Flashbak.

Few artists in music history left a career and legacy as powerful as Aretha Franklin. Known as the “Queen of Soul,” the legendary singer built a career that stretched across decades, producing timeless hits while influencing generations of performers who followed behind her. But behind the unforgettable voice was a woman who endured enormous personal struggles. According to Vanity Fair, many of the most painful moments from Franklin’s early life remained hidden from the public for years. Those experiences later became deeply connected to the emotional power that defined her music. Aretha Franklin Turned Personal Heartbreak Into A Career Of Musical Greatness Instagram Much of the public image surrounding Franklin focused on her success, groundbreaking performances, and historic achievements in soul and gospel music. However, later biographies and film projects explored the difficult realities she faced long before superstardom arrived. Franklin experienced heartbreaking challenges early in life, including family struggles and traumatic personal experiences that shaped her emotionally and artistically. Those painful chapters also helped explain the extraordinary emotional intensity heard in her performances throughout the years. Everett Collection That emotional honesty became one of the defining qualities of Aretha Franklin’s career. Whether she performed gospel, soul, or pop classics, listeners connected to the raw feeling in her voice. Songs like “Respect” and “Natural Woman” became more than hits because they carried a depth that audiences instantly recognized. Her Influence Continued Across Generations Everett Collection Even decades after her rise to fame, Franklin remained one of the most respected voices in music history. Her influence reached artists across multiple generations, including Whitney Houston, Beyoncé, and countless modern performers inspired by her fearless vocal style and commanding stage presence. Film and television projects released after her death also introduced younger audiences to her story. Jennifer Hudson portrayed the singer in the biopic Respect, while Cynthia Erivo starred in the television series Genius: Aretha. Both productions explored not only her musical brilliance but also the resilience that carried her through personal hardships and industry pressures. BLUES BROTHERS 2000, Aretha Franklin, 1998, (c) Universal/courtesy Everett Collection Fans continue to revisit Franklin’s catalog because her music still feels timeless. Her songs captured heartbreak, strength, faith, and determination in a way few artists have ever matched. Decades later, her voice remains one of the most recognizable and emotionally powerful sounds in music history. And that illustrious, once-in-a-lifetime career was driven by—and hid— the traumas Aretha Franklin faced. The Queen of Soul / Everett Collection Next up: Valerie Bertinelli Recalls The Habit She Begged Eddie Van Halen To Quit From Day One The post Aretha Franklin’s Most Emotional Performances Came From Very Real Pain appeared first on DoYouRemember? - The Home of Nostalgia. Author, Ruth A

The movie came out 40 years ago!