The right stamp to send something via airmail?

Part of the Art Motive Series: "The Story of Daedalus and Icarus"

Why do people paint such great images to ceilings - to break our necks. This image actually makes perfect sense up there - since it all happened in the sky above us.

This is a wonderful depiction of the whole event. Anyone knows the artist?

Part of the Art Motive Series: "The Story of Daedalus and Icarus"

The myth in comic style - anno 1500. The only thing that confuses me are the flies on the tower.

Part of the Art Motive Series: "The Story of Daedalus and Icarus"

A very modern, yet charming interpretation of Icarus.

Part of the Art Motive Series: "The Story of Daedalus and Icarus"

A more intimate portray of our two heroes testing their wings before trying to escape the King of Minos.

I find this image a bit odd. Icarus looks very feminine on this painting, almost like a female angel taking of his bra / wings. His face looks very soft and his hand gesture are so absolutely gay …

Part of the Art Motive Series: "The Story of Daedalus and Icarus"

This one looks more like flying lessons from one old angel to a younger one. All very Kitsch. There is no context to the original tale or anything Greek.

More? Charles-Pail Landon Wikipedia entry 

Part of the Art Motive Series: "The Story of Daedalus and Icarus"

Daedalus and Icarus are getting ready to escape the evil king Minos with their newly built wings. Imprisoned in a high tower of the royal palace they get ready to fly away. They are excited, they are nervous. Will they be discovered before they are ready? Will it work? Can they escape? Or will they plunge to death?

A final deep breath and they jump down …

This is one of the most iconic images of the series: the cranky and bend father preparing the young and beautiful son for the escape. Note the wind in the ropes - and especially the black rope behind Icarus as a bad omen of what’s to come.

I also like that Leighton has made some effort to present the Greek theme with the statue in the background as well as including a high place for a better takeoff.

Part of the Art Motive Series: "The Story of Daedalus and Icarus"

Click image for a bigger landscape.

Here Maestro Bruegel shows his great sense of drama as well as humor. Icarus and his death are a sidestory. A guy falling into the sea - so what? Bruegel condemns the young man to a tiny side story. Even the peasants in the image hardly take natice of what is happening.

Here is a excerpt from the wikipedia entry about this painting that explains the attitude behind this:

There is also a Flemish proverb (of the sort imaged in other works by Bruegel):"No plough stands still because a man dies". The painting may, as Auden’s poem suggests, depict humankind’s indifference to suffering by highlighting the ordinary events which continue to occur, despite the unobserved death of the mythic figure Icarus, who is seen drowning in the bottom right area of the sea. In Greek mythology, Icarus was the son of Daedalus, famous for his death by falling into the sea when he flew too close to the sun, melting the wax holding his artificial wings together. The sun, already half-set on the horizon, is a long way away; the flight did not reach anywhere near it.

Life is each human’s own tragedy!

Part of the Art Motive Series: "The Story of Daedalus and Icarus"

I love the colors in this painting. Also the concept of the flying head - like the idea of freedom is mostly in our heads and will always break free.

More? Redon entry @ Wikipedia 

Part of the Art Motive Series: "The Story of Daedalus and Icarus"

This is the newest interpretation of this over 2000 year old story. In Chagall’s paintings there always seems to be the same village present.

It somehow looks rather like the competition by the village idiots, who can imitate Icarus the best.

Part of the Art Motive Series: "The Story of Daedalus and Icarus"

Another depiction of Icarus terrible end. His mighty wings broken. Curious and delicate sea-nymphs lament the young heroes death.

This is one of the most iconic images of the series

For me this is the most dramatic painting in this series. It has a sleight Kitsch factor with the added sea nymphs, but they also contribute to the loss of vitality and sexuality of another brave soul lost to the gene pool.

I love Draper’s intricate painting of the wings - the biggest wings in all paintings in this collection.

Overall there is always the problem of confusing Icarus with an fallen angel. The idea of winged messengers from the gods is not an Christian invention, but we all associate the myth of fallen angels with such scenes. I have seen this painting (ab)used once in a Christian blog … ah, the pagan irony …

More? Herbert Draper’s entry @ Art Renewal and the tiny Wikipedia entry

Part of the Art Motive Series: "The Story of Daedalus and Icarus"

Click image for larger fairies.

A lovely scene from Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Oberon and Titania are the King and Queen of the Fairies.

The synopsis (here on Wikipedia) is the perfect inspiration for painters and movie makers alike. It has love, tragedy, pagan nastiness, comedy and some indecent sexual undertones.

Highly recommended.

Click image for a MUCH larger version for more details.

Botticelli tries here to tell the story of Lucretia in three parts - but I must admit I can’t follow him. On the left section Lucretia is threatened by her rapist Sextus Tarquinius. In the middle we see obviously her funeral and public outrage. The man standing over her casket if probably Lucius Junius Brutus (no, not that Brutus who killed Caesar). And at the very right her death and discovery by her family.

The setting is certainly Roman, but the ‘costumes’ reflect more  Botticelli’s own era. Nice perspective for the architecture.

Part of the Art Motive Series: "The Story of Lucretia"

Even the great Titian had a go at the drama. I guess it must have been one of these irresistible legends you simply had to paint as an established artists. And why not? It has sex, drama, aristocracy, a damsel in distress, a virgin brutally raped and killing herself - a public outcry and attack of a noble Roman family. Who can resist that story?

I applaud Titian’s honesty in the scene - that a rape is not a charming affair. He didn’t hide the event behind some symbolism or abstraction: the rapist forcing his knee between her legs and having his hard steely dagger ready to pierce her. His red pants are on fire (more or less).

But I must say that the Lady looks a bit fat and disproportionate. Also how he holds the dagger looks a bit odd - similar to Rembrandt who also had some problems including the dagger in a way you realize it’s one and painting it dangerously.

Part of the Art Motive Series: "The Story of Lucretia"

Certainly not Rembrandt’s finest hour. It looks a bit awkward - and the dress is certainly not very Romanesque. She looks more like a Victorian Lady admiring a dagger.

Sorry for the bad image quality - anyone got a better file?

Part of the Art Motive Series: "The Story of Lucretia"

I am still not very convinced by Rembrandt’s second attempt to paint the tragedy of Lucretia. The wound wound looks more like a soup stain, the dagger is hard to see and what’s with the rope?

Sorry for the bad image quality - anyone got a better file?

Part of the Art Motive Series: "The Story of Lucretia"

Maestro Cagnacci is a new discovery for me - one I made researching this series about Lucretia. This painting was sold this year (2007) for a staggering 1,4 Million Euros.

Lucretia in her final moments: rapped and dishonored - ready to end her life. Compared to Titian’s, Rembrandt’s and Botticelli’s attempts this one is reigns supreme. It really looks like a snapshot of her last few seconds on this earth. Despair and imminent doom are in her face, the firmly holds the dagger (yes, and this time the deadly iron looks menacing and real).

The whole painting has that timeless feeling: it’s setting isn’t tied to any period, since it’s minimalist and her ripped dress could be almost from any period.

Part of the Art Motive Series: "The Story of Lucretia"

Click image for more Bellucci.

I am a bit underwhelmed by this painting. It has all the right ingredients, but somehow the spark for greatness is missing.

Part of the Art Motive Series: "The Story of Lucretia"

Click image for a bigger final moment.

A young woman rapped - in her final seconds. She must be terrified, full of anger, fear, confusion - but also determination. The last few thoughts before your own death after you have been violated must be terrible.

Another rare catch of a unknow  Maestro - at least to me. I couldn’t find much about Mazzanti on the Intranets apart from this tidbit (taken from here):

Mazzanti Ludovico (1686-1775)

A painter who came from a noble family of Orvieto, he belonged to the Romano-Neapolitan school of artists and carried out his early work in Rome and Orvieto. In Rome he collaborated with Nicolò Pomarancio in the church of Santa Maria Apollinare, while at Orvieto he designed the upper mosaics for the Cathedral façade (1713-1714). He executed many works at Naples, where he was based during the years 1733 -1740, and in Campania (the Abbey of Montevergine).

In 1744 he became a member of the Academy of St. Luca. When he was invited to Città di Castello he was already famous. He painted the frescoes of the original cupola of the Cathedral, designed by the architect Nicola Barbioni, which collapsed in the earthquake of 1789. Documents relating to this work are conserved in the Museum archives. All that remains are the Evangelists at the base of the cupola arches and some models held in the Cathedral Museum: a work of "truly baroque magniloquence" (V. Casale). At Città di Castello he painted two altarpieces for the "Murate" monastery (enclosed order of nuns) and other works in private houses. He also received commissions from foreign countries notably France and Poland.

This painting looks like a sequel to Guido Cagnazzi’s Lucretia - just a few seconds later. I am amazed by the perfect painting of her cloths and her skin looks so silky it’s unbelievable.

Part of the Art Motive Series: "The Story of Lucretia"

Bouguereau painted many biblical, pagan and really trivial moments in his life. Most biblical paintings pick a well known or popular scene to play to the audience or the rich patron.

In this case Bouguereau has chosen a very unusual situation: Adam and Eve mourn the death of Abel - who was famously slain by his Brother Cain. Abel was the first human to die - and also the first one to by slain by his own kin and kind. And he is also considered the first Martyr.

What a great start for humanity after being exiled from Paradise.

Death scenes make great drama and many painters really go for christian kitsch and symbolism (especially in biblical scenes). Bouguereau keeps it very simple and very human.

The painting has also a very personal meaning: Bouguereau painted it after the death of his second son.

More? Adolphe-William Bouguereau @ ArtRenewal.org and Wikipedia

Dedicated to Lisa and lucecorner - who both asked for more paintings with music. Bitteschön!

He seems to be quite a charming young fellow, don’t you think Lord Archibald?

I really love his sensual paintings and lush surroundings. When you see more than three of his images you immediately spot his style and addiction to a certain type of woman.

But once you know that his wife Elizabeth Siddal in 1862 - who killed herself after the birth of their dead child - it all becomes all so understandable.

Heartbroken Rossetti drowned his sorrows with booze and drugs. His life was not a happy one. Apart from being a gifted painter he also wrote poetry and published works on Italian authors.

Elizabeth was also the model for many other artists of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood - so you might know her from other paintings as well.

He died sad, broken and mentally unstable 1882.

More? Rossetti @ ArtRenewal.org or @ Wikipedia and a List of his paintings. And an excellent online exhibition by the Walker Art Gallery.

Click image for a bigger apple and arrow …

The title derives from Latin literature and means ‘Venus, turner of hearts’. This is the Sonnet he wrote for this painting:

She hath the apple in her hand for thee,
Yet almost in her heart would hold it back;
She muses, with her eyes upon the track
Of that which in thy spirit they can see.
Haply, ‘Behold, he is at peace,’ saith she;
‘Alas! the apple for his lips, - the dart
That follows its brief sweetness to his heart,-
The wandering of his feet perpetually!’

A little space her glance is still and coy;
But if she give the fruit that works her spell,
Those eyes shall flame as for her Phrygian boy.
Then shall her bird’s strained throat the woe foretell,
And her far seas moan as a single shell,
And through her dark grove strike the light of Troy.

Poetry and image information taken from here.

More? Rossetti @ ArtRenewal.org or @ Wikipedia

Hey Stumblers … don’t forget to check out the other Rossetti paintings below.

Click image for more red hair …

Lilith is the first woman Adam met in paradise - not Eve. She was an tempting topic for many painters. And this motive is pre-christian and appears in the Gilgamesh epos.

More? Rossetti @ ArtRenewal.org or @ Wikipedia

Click image for more Rossetti music …

The model is Alexa Wilding and the paintings shares some creative DNA with another of his great images "Venus Verticordia".

More? Rossetti @ ArtRenewal.org or @ Wikipedia

Click image for more blue amazement.

Once again the classic Rossetti Lady (the famous Jane Burden aka Jane Morris) in perfect pose. Unusal are the blue and green tones - he usually prefers red hair and warm earth tones. This is his last painting before he died in the same year.

More? Rossetti @ ArtRenewal.org or @ Wikipedia