Dr. Peter Paul Rubens
@peterpaulrubens.bsky.social
All-around genius working for peace, beauty, and intelligent thought.
IRL: professor of art history. Occasionally write things about Rubens. Also Dutch art, the Bruegel family, and Elizabethan visual culture.
Reader of many novels. DC & Amsterdam.
IRL: professor of art history. Occasionally write things about Rubens. Also Dutch art, the Bruegel family, and Elizabethan visual culture.
Reader of many novels. DC & Amsterdam.
Pinned
Falling man: Ixion, 1580s, by Cornelis van Haarlem, artist with a pretty wild bodily imagination. Today is his day.
November 11, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Falling man: Ixion, 1580s, by Cornelis van Haarlem, artist with a pretty wild bodily imagination. Today is his day.
Died (alas!) on this day in 1638, in Haarlem, the eponymous Cornelis Cornelisz. van Haarlem. Here looking curious about himself, by himself, as a young man in 1588.
November 11, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Died (alas!) on this day in 1638, in Haarlem, the eponymous Cornelis Cornelisz. van Haarlem. Here looking curious about himself, by himself, as a young man in 1588.
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.
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.
The Graham children, with their toys and (of course) their pets. Portrayed in 1742 by William Hogarth, whose day has been today.
November 11, 2025 at 12:53 AM
The Graham children, with their toys and (of course) their pets. Portrayed in 1742 by William Hogarth, whose day has been today.
Cute baby pix of the past: Gerard Anne Edwards Hamilton in his cradle, 1733. Has A+ doll in its own kiddie walker! And nice dog. By William Hogarth, born OTD 1697.
November 11, 2025 at 12:16 AM
Cute baby pix of the past: Gerard Anne Edwards Hamilton in his cradle, 1733. Has A+ doll in its own kiddie walker! And nice dog. By William Hogarth, born OTD 1697.
Sarah Malcolm murdered three women in 1733 and was sketched in her prison cell, before being hanged, by William Hogarth. Anybody know another example of a prison portrait? I don't.
November 10, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Sarah Malcolm murdered three women in 1733 and was sketched in her prison cell, before being hanged, by William Hogarth. Anybody know another example of a prison portrait? I don't.
Southwark Fair apparently included the Trojan Horse as well as acrobats, a female drummer, and other A+ attractions. As described in 1733 by William Hogarth, whose birthday is today.
November 10, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Southwark Fair apparently included the Trojan Horse as well as acrobats, a female drummer, and other A+ attractions. As described in 1733 by William Hogarth, whose birthday is today.
Studies of his six servants in the 1750s: masterful oil sketch by William Hogarth, who was born on this day in 1697.
November 10, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Studies of his six servants in the 1750s: masterful oil sketch by William Hogarth, who was born on this day in 1697.
Singing and smoking with Captain Lord George Graham in his Cabin 1745. Wig's off -- but dog at the right is wearing it instead! Painted by William Hogarth, born OTD in 1697.
November 10, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Singing and smoking with Captain Lord George Graham in his Cabin 1745. Wig's off -- but dog at the right is wearing it instead! Painted by William Hogarth, born OTD in 1697.
Great house of cards, assembled by five children w/ cooperation of their v good dog, & painted by William Hogarth. He was born OTD 1697.
November 10, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Great house of cards, assembled by five children w/ cooperation of their v good dog, & painted by William Hogarth. He was born OTD 1697.
Marriage a-la-Mode, 1743: reception during Countess Squanderfield's morning toilette. Paintings on walls hint that she is not exactly respectable! By William Hogarth, born OTD 1697.
November 10, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Marriage a-la-Mode, 1743: reception during Countess Squanderfield's morning toilette. Paintings on walls hint that she is not exactly respectable! By William Hogarth, born OTD 1697.
Born on this day in 1697, in London, painter and satirist William Hogarth. Here by himself, with his pug (good man!), in 1745.
November 10, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Born on this day in 1697, in London, painter and satirist William Hogarth. Here by himself, with his pug (good man!), in 1745.
Windmill silhouetted against moonlight. By Aert van der Neer at the end of his day. Good night.
November 10, 2025 at 2:02 AM
Windmill silhouetted against moonlight. By Aert van der Neer at the end of his day. Good night.
Nighttime along the estuary. So quiet. But no, there is a family at right, with a dog yet! Get your child to bed, parents! So says Aert van der Neer, whose day was today.
November 10, 2025 at 1:44 AM
Nighttime along the estuary. So quiet. But no, there is a family at right, with a dog yet! Get your child to bed, parents! So says Aert van der Neer, whose day was today.
Skaters in winter, 1650s. I only see one person actually wearing iceskates. When did they become the norm? By Aert van der Neer, whose day is today.
November 9, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Skaters in winter, 1650s. I only see one person actually wearing iceskates. When did they become the norm? By Aert van der Neer, whose day is today.
City ablaze at dusk. Frightening prospect by Aert van der Neer, whose day is today.
November 9, 2025 at 7:33 PM
City ablaze at dusk. Frightening prospect by Aert van der Neer, whose day is today.
Good morning! River view at sunrise, by some very talented follower of Aert van der Neer, whose day is today.
November 9, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Good morning! River view at sunrise, by some very talented follower of Aert van der Neer, whose day is today.
An exceptionally busy day on the ice. Sledding, slipping, skating, and of course kolf! By Aert van der Neer, whose day is today.
November 9, 2025 at 2:32 PM
An exceptionally busy day on the ice. Sledding, slipping, skating, and of course kolf! By Aert van der Neer, whose day is today.
Died (alas!) on this day in 1677, in Amsterdam, Aert van der Neer. Painter of the cold cold days (& sometimes nights) of Dutch winters.
November 9, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Died (alas!) on this day in 1677, in Amsterdam, Aert van der Neer. Painter of the cold cold days (& sometimes nights) of Dutch winters.
Playing the viol for the angel band as assembled in 1477 by Melozzo da Forlì. Today has been his day.
November 9, 2025 at 2:53 AM
Playing the viol for the angel band as assembled in 1477 by Melozzo da Forlì. Today has been his day.
Angel with a lute, by Melozzo da Forli in 1480. It's his day.
November 8, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Angel with a lute, by Melozzo da Forli in 1480. It's his day.
Through A+ trompe l'oeil arch, Christ enters Jerusalem. With his v. heavily bearded friends, & watched by eager tree-climbers! By Melozzo da Forlì, c.1480.
November 8, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Through A+ trompe l'oeil arch, Christ enters Jerusalem. With his v. heavily bearded friends, & watched by eager tree-climbers! By Melozzo da Forlì, c.1480.
Focus on the beauty of a single angel in Melozzo's vault of the Sacristy of San Marco, Santa Casa di Loreto.
November 8, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Focus on the beauty of a single angel in Melozzo's vault of the Sacristy of San Marco, Santa Casa di Loreto.
There are angels hovering round: sacristy of S. Marco, Basilica of the Santa Casa, Loreto. Painted in 1477 by Melozzo da Forli, angel man, whose day is today.
November 8, 2025 at 4:16 PM
There are angels hovering round: sacristy of S. Marco, Basilica of the Santa Casa, Loreto. Painted in 1477 by Melozzo da Forli, angel man, whose day is today.