Comedy is unusual in paintings, and where it occurs, it’s more usually a visual joke. But there are exceptions in a tale-within-a-tale from Homer.
Velázquez
From the Flemish artist Paul Bril, to Claude Lorrain, and then through the French ports of Claude-Joseph Vernet to the oil sketches of Valenciennes.
His last royal commission before the war with France, and his most important, a macabre scene of cannibalism, and two surprising majas.
Blurring for dramatic effect, and to mimic photographic depth of field effects, were used in the 19th century, but motion blur came later.
Four centuries of paintings of tables laid up ready for the consumption of food, with several variations. From Clara Peeters to the modern burger.
After a 4-year apprenticeship, Goya struggled to get further training. He spent two years in Rome, but on his return won his first major commission, for a huge fresco.
Paintings from Spain 1757-1775 which would have influenced the young Goya in his early career. Dominant among them was Anton Raphael Mengs, German painter in Rome!
An offshoot of still life paintings of food, it was never very popular, and most of these are decidedly odd. From Jan Brueghel the elder to
From Aesculapius to Zeus, key features of each of the major male deities in classical myths, and links to individual articles here.
Like eyes and the rest of the face, hands are most usually seen uncovered in figurative paintings. These paintings show gloved hands which have special purposes and meaning.
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