A poor couple entertained two men as well as they could in their humble cottage. Their guests turned out to be Jupiter and Mercury, who rewarded them for their hospitality.
Rijckaert
Myths of Perseus and Atlas, Philemon and Baucis, and the peasants of Lycia teach the ancient code of hospitality to strangers.
The origin of Helen, perhaps, ready to be served to Mercury and Jupiter, caged in Rome’s Capitol, or cared for young girls.
Seldom shown in lead roles, superb paintings by masters including Botticelli, Blake, Renoir, and Velázquez, and one strange myth to finish.
Three classical myths – Atlas turned to stone, Philemon and Baucis, and Leto and the Lycians turned into frogs. Why you should always show hospitality to strangers.
4500 years of paintings of geese, from Rubens’ flock seen at harvest time, to Gauguin’s complement to his landlady. And some superb paintings of wild geese on the wing.
It pays to welcome strangers, and to help them rest and recover, particularly when they turn out to be Jupiter and Mercury. A wonderful story, and 4 superb paintings.
Trying to elicit a specific taste seem over-ambitious, but why can’t great paintings at least make us feel peckish?
The Eclectic Light Company 