Laurel Van Driest
@laurelvandriest.bsky.social
“An excellent curator of interesting random things”—Dana
“Too entertaining to be insufferable”—Sheila
“Too entertaining to be insufferable”—Sheila
Reposted by Laurel Van Driest
Stunning portrait of a woman in a plumed blue hat from 1740 by William Hogarth, who was born on this day in 1697. Totally love this one.
November 11, 2025 at 1:14 AM
Stunning portrait of a woman in a plumed blue hat from 1740 by William Hogarth, who was born on this day in 1697. Totally love this one.
Reposted by Laurel Van Driest
Francis Matthew Schutz, being sick in his bed. Commissioned by Schutz's wife as a warning to him against drunkenness! By William Hogarth, whose day has been today.
November 11, 2025 at 1:59 AM
Francis Matthew Schutz, being sick in his bed. Commissioned by Schutz's wife as a warning to him against drunkenness! By William Hogarth, whose day has been today.
Reposted by Laurel Van Driest
Cornelis and Michiel Pompe van Meerdervoort with their tutor and their Coachman (because of course) and DOGS. Painted by Aelbert Cuyp, whose day is today.
October 20, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Cornelis and Michiel Pompe van Meerdervoort with their tutor and their Coachman (because of course) and DOGS. Painted by Aelbert Cuyp, whose day is today.
Nothing. Crickets.
Interesting.
Interesting.
October 14, 2025 at 1:50 AM
Nothing. Crickets.
Interesting.
Interesting.
Reposted by Laurel Van Driest
Cold day! Woman warming her hands over a pot of coals, painted by Caesar van Everdingen, 1646.
October 14, 2025 at 1:05 AM
Cold day! Woman warming her hands over a pot of coals, painted by Caesar van Everdingen, 1646.
Reposted by Laurel Van Driest
3/3 The gorgeous renaissance geometry of Piero della Francesca in Arezzo.
October 12, 2025 at 5:20 PM
3/3 The gorgeous renaissance geometry of Piero della Francesca in Arezzo.
Miracles can be very helpful.
2/2 The True Cross is found, and Saint Helena recognizes it. Helpfully, a miracle also occurs, confirming her intuition. As painted by Piero della Francesca in Arezzo.
October 12, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Miracles can be very helpful.
Reposted by Laurel Van Driest
Gorgeous, spooky friend from my collection. No date/info.
October 12, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Gorgeous, spooky friend from my collection. No date/info.
Reposted by Laurel Van Driest
When does death begin?
In the 18th century, no one could agree—some said when the pulse stopped, others when the body began to rot. Out of that debate came a century of strange experiments on severed heads.
Learn more in our kids’ book DEAD ENDS (w/ @tealcartoons.bsky.social): shorturl.at/FS3nd
In the 18th century, no one could agree—some said when the pulse stopped, others when the body began to rot. Out of that debate came a century of strange experiments on severed heads.
Learn more in our kids’ book DEAD ENDS (w/ @tealcartoons.bsky.social): shorturl.at/FS3nd
October 9, 2025 at 2:32 PM
When does death begin?
In the 18th century, no one could agree—some said when the pulse stopped, others when the body began to rot. Out of that debate came a century of strange experiments on severed heads.
Learn more in our kids’ book DEAD ENDS (w/ @tealcartoons.bsky.social): shorturl.at/FS3nd
In the 18th century, no one could agree—some said when the pulse stopped, others when the body began to rot. Out of that debate came a century of strange experiments on severed heads.
Learn more in our kids’ book DEAD ENDS (w/ @tealcartoons.bsky.social): shorturl.at/FS3nd
Reposted by Laurel Van Driest
Federico da Montefeltro (of the famous nose) & his lovely wife Battista Sforza. Frozen in time in their perfect profiles, in 1470, by Piero della Francesca.
October 12, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Federico da Montefeltro (of the famous nose) & his lovely wife Battista Sforza. Frozen in time in their perfect profiles, in 1470, by Piero della Francesca.
Naomi Novik, The Summer War
“All right,” Celia said. “Yes, I’ll care if you’ll care,” and she stood up and put her hand out, and he put his out, and they shook on the bargain.
“All right,” Celia said. “Yes, I’ll care if you’ll care,” and she stood up and put her hand out, and he put his out, and they shook on the bargain.
October 7, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Naomi Novik, The Summer War
“All right,” Celia said. “Yes, I’ll care if you’ll care,” and she stood up and put her hand out, and he put his out, and they shook on the bargain.
“All right,” Celia said. “Yes, I’ll care if you’ll care,” and she stood up and put her hand out, and he put his out, and they shook on the bargain.
Reposted by Laurel Van Driest
2/2 Some glorious spare flowers hanging from a blue ribbon. By Carstian Luyckx of Antwerp, whose day is today.
September 28, 2025 at 5:55 PM
2/2 Some glorious spare flowers hanging from a blue ribbon. By Carstian Luyckx of Antwerp, whose day is today.
Reposted by Laurel Van Driest
Could that be my portrait that's been so nicely garlanded by Carstian Luyckx? I'm honored! And today is his day.
September 28, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Could that be my portrait that's been so nicely garlanded by Carstian Luyckx? I'm honored! And today is his day.
Reposted by Laurel Van Driest
2/2 Time for the skulls! Just can't get enough of them.
September 28, 2025 at 7:52 PM
2/2 Time for the skulls! Just can't get enough of them.
Reposted by Laurel Van Driest
Animated skeleton just hanging out with his similarly dead friends and their favorite stuff in this bizarre memento mori by Carstiaen Luycks. It's his day.
September 28, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Animated skeleton just hanging out with his similarly dead friends and their favorite stuff in this bizarre memento mori by Carstiaen Luycks. It's his day.
Reposted by Laurel Van Driest
2/2 Imitate Christ. And collect sea shells! Sure that's the lesson here from Carstiaen Luyckx, on his day.
September 28, 2025 at 10:14 PM
2/2 Imitate Christ. And collect sea shells! Sure that's the lesson here from Carstiaen Luyckx, on his day.
Reposted by Laurel Van Driest
The sea, the air, the earth, and death. Starring wonderful globe (take a look at where Canada is) from the 1660s, by Carstian Luyckx. Today is his day.
September 28, 2025 at 9:53 PM
The sea, the air, the earth, and death. Starring wonderful globe (take a look at where Canada is) from the 1660s, by Carstian Luyckx. Today is his day.
Reposted by Laurel Van Driest
2/2 Is that a pineapple? No, it's a very strange metal vessel tipped over amidst the real fruit. Plus a nautilus shell. All by Carstiaen Luyckx.
September 28, 2025 at 11:47 PM
2/2 Is that a pineapple? No, it's a very strange metal vessel tipped over amidst the real fruit. Plus a nautilus shell. All by Carstiaen Luyckx.
Reposted by Laurel Van Driest
Wildly opulent assemblage of materials, tastes, and reflections in this interrupted meal depicted by Carstian Luyckx in 1650. It's his day.
September 28, 2025 at 10:58 PM
Wildly opulent assemblage of materials, tastes, and reflections in this interrupted meal depicted by Carstian Luyckx in 1650. It's his day.
Reposted by Laurel Van Driest
2/2 Cat nabs dead bird from cruel still-life painter's arrangement. At least, I'd like to think that's what happened! By Carstiaen Luycks.
September 29, 2025 at 12:14 AM
2/2 Cat nabs dead bird from cruel still-life painter's arrangement. At least, I'd like to think that's what happened! By Carstiaen Luycks.
Reposted by Laurel Van Driest
Four springer spaniels, plus hawk, just hanging out with their booty from the hunt. By Carstian Luyckx of Antwerp, whose day is today.
September 28, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Four springer spaniels, plus hawk, just hanging out with their booty from the hunt. By Carstian Luyckx of Antwerp, whose day is today.
Reposted by Laurel Van Driest
2/2 Gorgeous flowers collected in a glass vase, plus what appear to be some glaceed cherries. And butterflies. By Carstiaen Luyckx.
September 29, 2025 at 12:44 AM
2/2 Gorgeous flowers collected in a glass vase, plus what appear to be some glaceed cherries. And butterflies. By Carstiaen Luyckx.
Reposted by Laurel Van Driest
Rosary garland of flowers (mostly roses) around Madonna & child. By Carstian Luyckx, whose day is today.
September 29, 2025 at 12:31 AM
Rosary garland of flowers (mostly roses) around Madonna & child. By Carstian Luyckx, whose day is today.
Reposted by Laurel Van Driest
Henrietta Maria and the late lamented Charles I star, appropriately, in a fab Vanitas painting by Carstian Luyckx of Antwerp. It's been his day.
September 29, 2025 at 1:37 AM
Henrietta Maria and the late lamented Charles I star, appropriately, in a fab Vanitas painting by Carstian Luyckx of Antwerp. It's been his day.
Reposted by Laurel Van Driest
2/2 Agostino Novello zooming in again to revive child who's been attacked by a mad dog. I feel sure this attack was not unprovoked! Poor dog! By Simone Martini of Siena, whose day is today.
September 26, 2025 at 3:59 PM
2/2 Agostino Novello zooming in again to revive child who's been attacked by a mad dog. I feel sure this attack was not unprovoked! Poor dog! By Simone Martini of Siena, whose day is today.