Tag: religion
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06 Orientalist Paintings, The Art of War, Francesco Hayez and Moretto da Brescia’s Odalisques, with footnotes, #119
An odalisque was a chambermaid or a female attendant in a Turkish seraglio, particularly the court ladies in the household of the Ottoman sultan. In western usage, the term came to mean the harem concubine, and refers to the eroticized artistic genre in which a woman is represented mostly or completely nude in a reclining…
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01 work, PORTRAIT OF A LADY, Henry Zaidan’s “I watched a knight brake through the Byzantine ranks like an arrow”, with Footnotes. #237
Khalid Ibn Al Walid (529-642AD), who was a companion of Prophet Mohammed, wrote: “In a battle that took place in Beit Lahia near Ajnadin, I watched a knight brake through the Byzantine ranks like an arrow.” Khalid and the others followed her and joined battle.” That black-clad knight was the Muslim Arab woman warrior Khawlah bint Al Azwar.…
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01 Work, Interpretation of the bible, Luca Giordano’s Tatiana of Rome, with Footnotes #200
Saint Tatiana was a Christian martyr in 3rd-century Rome during the reign of Emperor Severus Alexander. According to legend, she was the daughter of a Roman civil servant who was secretly Christian, and raised his daughter in the faith. This was dangerous, and one day the jurist Ulpian captured Tatiana and attempted to force her to…
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11 works, Today, August 22nd, is the Saint Eulalia’s day, her story illustrated #234
Saint Eulalia (Aulaire, Aulazia, Olalla, Eulària) (c. 290–February 12, 303), co-patron saint of Barcelona, was a 13-year-old Roman Christian virgin who suffered martyrdom in Barcelona during the persecution of Christians in the reign of emperor Diocletian, towards the end of the ban on Christianity. Eulalia’s name is of Greek origin and literally means “of good…
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01 Orientalist Painting, Jean-Léon Gérôme’s Cafe House, Cairo (Casting Bullets), with footnotes, #118
While two mercenaries cast bullets and a third, seated behind them, seems to be inspecting one, others engage in revelry and a man and woman converse. Despite these apparent incongruities, the meticulous painting technique renders the scene convincing. Gérôme traveled to Egypt many times from 1855 onward. His recollections of these journeys, together with objects…
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05 Works, The Art of War, Pharaonic reliefs of Alma at the battle of Kadesh, with footnotes
Alma, a skilled and courageous commander, played a vital role in the Egyptian army led by Ramses II during the invasion of Hittite territories in Palestine and the subsequent push into Syria, culminating in the Battle of Kadesh. As she rode atop her loyal and dependable steed, Alma served as an inspiring figure for her…
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04 Works, CONTEMPORARY Interpretation of the Bible! After Michelangelo, When Jesus arrived in Gaza, with footnotes #64
When Jesus arrived in Gaza he saw a sight that moved him deeply, for he saw the desperation and hopelessness in the people’s eyes. Without hesitation, he stepped forward, brimming with love and purpose… Please follow link for full post
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01 Work, CONTEMPORARY Interpretation of the Bible! After Leonardo da Vinci, Jesus Christ Helping His Mother, with footnotes #62
Leonardo da Vinci uses a wide canvas, allowing for a panoramic view that captures both the intimate setting of the workshop and the distant cityscape. There is tension and unease to the scene, highlighting the volatile times in which the Holy Family lived. Every element of the painting is rendered with meticulous attention to detail.…
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01 Work, The Art of War, Anselm Feuerbach’s The Battle of the Amazons, with footnotes
This dramatic historical painting, teeming with figures, depicts the devastating battle for the city of Troy. According to Homer, the Amazons with their queen Penthesilea came to the aid of the Trojan king Priamos, who had to defend himself against the Greeks under the leadership of king Menelaus. In the battle, Penthesilea is killed by…
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13 Works, Today, June 16th, is Saint Vitus’s day, his story in Paintings #167
Saint Vitus was the son of an illustrious Sicilian dignitary who tried to turn his son from Christianity, but failed. Paternal love then turned to hatred, and he decided to kill Vitus… Please follow link for full post
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01 Work, The Art of War, Henry Zaidan’s The Arab horsemen emerged, with footnotes
The wind whispered through the barren desert, carrying with it a sense of loss and despair. The Arab horsemen, clad in white garments, rode towards the battlefield where the fallen soldiers lay. Each of them bore the weight of sorrow in their eyes, the deep lines etching their faces with grief and weariness. In perfect…
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08 Works, Today, June 14th, is Saint Methodius I’s day, his story in Paintings #165
St. Methodius I, also spelled Methodios, (born 788/800, Syracuse, Sicily — died June 14, 847, Constantinople)was patriarch of Constantinople from 843 to 847… Please follow link for full post
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11 Works, Today, June 13th, is Anna of Larissa and her son John’s day, their story in Paintings #164
St Anna was from the country of Greece, from the city of Larissa; the daughter of poor parents. When they died and left her an orphan… Please follow link for full post
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13 Works, The Art of War, Henry Zaidan’s Night Raid, After Franz von Stuck, with footnotes
The enemy launched a surprise assault in the dead of the night. Alma deftly tightens her grip on her trusty sword, her mind becomes laser-focused… Please follow link for full post
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01 Work, CONTEMPORARY Interpretation of the Bible! Mylo Quam’s Knight slaying a dragon I Saint George!) – with footnotes #61
Sold for $325 USD in June 2022 Saint George (circa 275/281 – 23 April 303 AD) was a soldier in the Roman army who later became venerated as a Christian martyr. His parents were Christians of Greek background; his father Gerontius was a Roman army official from Cappadocia and his mother Polychronia was from Lydda, Syria…