A controversial story of a moneylender getting revenge when a borrower defaults, and demanding a pound of flesh.
history of painting
The heavily embroidered story of Cossack hetman Ivan Mazepa was turned into a narrative poem by Lord Byron, and inspired paintings by Géricault, Delacroix, Vernet, and others.
Weren’t Cossacks Russian? Well, some were, but they may also have founded Ukraine following the Great Revolt of 1648. Here’s the evidence in paintings.
From Venus covering herself with her hair, to combing through the hair for nits and lice. Artists include Botticelli, Rossetti and Degas.
The stories of Samson, whose prodigious strength depended on not having his hair cut, and Mary Magdalene, who dried Christ’s feet with her hair.
A painter of superbly composed and crafted religious and other narrative, a key figure in art education, who enjoyed the support of Queen Victoria.
With Claude Monet and others, one of the originators of Impressionist landscape painting. Successful portraitist and figurative painter too.
Popular comedy about a man who marries and shrew and sets about trying to tame her. Frequently painted.
As the fiery reds of falling leaves change to dull earth browns, and we get the odd flurry of snow, we know that winter is almost upon us.
After the death of his patron in 1716 he remained rich, successful, and for the next century his paintings were rated more highly than those of Rembrandt.
