From Venus covering herself with her hair, to combing through the hair for nits and lice. Artists include Botticelli, Rossetti and Degas.
narrative
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.
Popular comedy about a man who marries and shrew and sets about trying to tame her. Frequently painted.
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.
His fortunes changed in 1696 with a visit from the Elector Palatine, who became his patron, and six years later made him his court painter.
The popular story of the Judgement of Solomon is a great challenge for visual art. Here are some of the better attempts at solution, from Raphael to Blake.
A vast canvas with an apocalyptic vision of death and destruction? It must be one of John Martin’s, then. Another distinctive British narrative painter.
A comedy involving two couples, both tricked in different ways. One bride faints in church when accused of infidelity. The other couple didn’t know they loved one another until deceived.
Maternal love, Oedipus and the Sphinx, and a naked courtesan unveiled before a court of men, all demonstrate how important is gaze.
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