(Encyclopedia) Bernadette, SaintBernadette, Saintbûrnədĕtˈ [key], 1844–79, French peasant girl who reported seeing the Virgin Mary in apparitions at a grotto near Lourdes, her home, in 1858. She was…
(Encyclopedia) Ferdinand I, 1751–1825, king of the Two Sicilies (1816–25). He had previously been king of Naples (1759–99, 1799–1805, 1815–16) as Ferdinand IV and king of Sicily (1759–1816) as…
actorBorn: 12/29/1949Birthplace: San Diego, California Emmy Award-winning television and film actor best known for his role as the womanizing bartender on Cheers (1982–93). He returned to…
(Encyclopedia) Lubbers, Ruud (Rudolphus Franciscus Marie Lubbers), 1939–2018, Dutch political leader. After the death of his father (1965), he became codirector of the family's engineering firm. A…
(Encyclopedia) Maine de BiranMaine de Biranmĕn də bēräNˈ [key], 1766–1824, French philosopher, member of the Council of Five Hundred (1797), and councilor of state (1816). His real name was Marie…
(Encyclopedia) régence stylerégence stylerāzhäNsˈ [key], transitional style in architecture and decoration originated in France during the regency (1715–23) of Philippe, duc d'Orléans. The most…
(Encyclopedia) Nattier, Jean-MarcNattier, Jean-MarczhäN-märk nätyāˈ [key], 1685–1766, French painter; son of the painter Marc Nattier and the miniaturist Marie Courtois. His early works include…
(Encyclopedia) history painting, the painting of scenes from classical and Christian history and mythology. It was taught in the academies of art, from the Renaissance to the 19th cent., as the…
(Encyclopedia) Peter II, 1648–1706, king of Portugal (1683–1706), younger son of John IV; brother and successor of Alfonso VI. In 1667, he seized power from his incompetent brother and ruled the…