See how the abstract terms "winter" and "cold" are visualised in art. Baby, it's cold outside, but these works of art give a warm feeling. Ten pieces with short descriptions; enjoy and be well. The days are getting longer!
Tag: Rijksmuseum
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam
Clara the Rhino embarked in 1741 on a grand European tour. A Jurassic Park style celebrity, Clara would have become an Instagram hero these days. Some flashes from the Clara the Rhinoceros exhibition in Rijksmuseum Amsterdam.
The Four Church Fathers
How to recognise "Church Fathers" in art? They all have their fairytale legends and that helps! Read about beehives and honey, spooning the ocean empty, and how to befriend a lion!
Saint Christopher and Atlas
"The World On Your Shoulders" Today July 25 is the day of Saint Christopher, since the dark Middle Ages the patron saint of travellers and nowadays also the protector of motorists. He is a popular saint, but there is no certainty that he really existed. In 1969 his name was dropped from the official calendar of the Catholic … Continue reading Saint Christopher and Atlas
The Olympian Gods
This is a 101 crash course in Greek and Roman gods. In ancient Greek mythology, twelve Olympian gods and goddesses ruled over the affairs of mankind from their palace on Mount Olympus. Besides this canon of major deities, many other gods, half-gods, human offspring and heroes visited the Olympus, and these twelve Olympians descended frequently … Continue reading The Olympian Gods
Herring in Holland
The Herring Season 2020 starts tomorrow June 12th and from that day on, the “Hollandse Nieuwe” (New Dutch Herring) can be eaten everywhere, mostly as a street-food snack with finely sliced onion and pickles. A whole herring is consumed raw and often eaten by lifting the herring by its tail, tilt your head back, and then eat the herring by lowering it into your mouth. The painting above … Continue reading Herring in Holland
Thomas de Keyser (c.1596 – 1667)
Thomas de Keyser (c. 1596–1667) was a Dutch painter, stone merchant and architect. His father was the famous Amsterdam architect and sculptor, Hendrick de Keyser (1565 - 1621). Thomas was buried on this day June 7th, 1667, in the family vault in the Zuiderkerk (Southern Church) in Amsterdam. Thomas de Keyser excelled as a portrait painter and was the preeminent portraitist of … Continue reading Thomas de Keyser (c.1596 – 1667)
Hendrick Avercamp (1585 – 1634) and playing golf on ice
It’s winter. But the real winters are far behind us. When will we skate again on frozen rivers? Let’s have a look at the Dutch 17th century winter-wonderland paintings by Hendrick Avercamp. And let’s speak about those harsh winters and about the Dutch as the inventors of playing golf. Hendrick Avercamp (1585 - 1634), “A Scene … Continue reading Hendrick Avercamp (1585 – 1634) and playing golf on ice
Narcissus and Echo
Meet Narcissus and Echo! Although we know them already, as they are around us every day and everywhere. But originally they are two mythological characters from the “Metamorphoses”, an 1st century book in Latin, by the Roman poet Ovid. John William Waterhouse (1849 – 1917), “Echo and Narcissus” (1903), 109x189cm, Oil on Canvas, Walker Art Gallery, … Continue reading Narcissus and Echo
Mary Magdalene
July 22nd is the feast day of Mary Magdalene. But who is she, and how to recognize her in art? If there had been more gender equality in the days of Jesus, than Mary Magdalene certainly would have become one of the 12 Apostles. She was the number one female follower of Jesus and is … Continue reading Mary Magdalene
Jan Lievens (1607 – 1674)
Jan Lievens (1606 - 1674), "Samson and Delilah" (c. 1632), 131x111cm, Oil on Canvas, Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. On the 4th of June 1674, death of Jan Lievens, Dutch Golden Age painter and friend, colleague and rival of Rembrandt. Only a year younger than Rembrandt, they grew up together in Leiden and shared a studio in Amsterdam. … Continue reading Jan Lievens (1607 – 1674)
The Four Evangelists
The Four Evangelists are the ones who wrote the four gospels in the New Testament, which is the second volume of the Bible. These gospels describe the life of Christ and are therefore in essence four times the same story but written by four different authors. The word “evangelist” comes from the Greek word εὐ-αγγέλιον … Continue reading The Four Evangelists