No less than 6 different stories, 4 transformations, 5 wonderful paintings, all from less than 150 lines of Latin verse.
Rubens
Rape, ejection from society, transformation into a bear, then into a constellation: poor Callisto, but some superb narrative paintings.
One of the most dramatic and vivid myths, causing a ‘Great Fire’ which matches the Flood. Superb paintings from Rubens, Poussin, Moreau.
A triple bill of myths, ingeniously interwoven into a story with four different metamorphoses – and some superb paintings.
To commemorate the centenary of his death, some of the best portraits of the 19th century, and more.
Not an easy story to paint, Ovid’s clear account has been largely ignored. Because it is now too absurd to show?
Greek painted pots, a pair of gold earrings, and a rude quiver: how they led a beer advertisement into danger.
Some stories sound plausible, but are problematic when you try to paint or photograph them. Here’s a good example, with attempted solutions by Reni, Rubens, Moreau, and others.
Two triple portraits of ladies of the nobility, which alluded to two quite racy paintings of drunken feasts, and a goddess with 8 breasts. What is going on?
A summary chronology of the major milestones in the history of oil painting, with copious illustrations from the masters.
The Eclectic Light Company 