Peter Paul Rubens (1609)
The dark counterpart to my other rec, beloved for the same fundamental reason— Ruben’s treatment of light in this painting has moved me to tears every time I’ve looked at it. Can’t go to London without a national gallery visit because of it. Chiaroscuro majesty!!!!
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I have so many paintings that I love and return to but this one is my deepest personal relationship. It is SO dark visually and thematically that each time you look at it, it feels like you finally see something new. It’s bizarre and haunting and there are these absolutely gargantuan naked male figures weeping in the middle ground.
In the research I’ve done, stunned scholars have theorized that it’s a reference to Michelangelo’s Ignudi’s or large naked male figures featured in a lot of his frescoes. But why are they at a Quaker meeting? Why are they so despairing? Quaker worship is characterized by a lot of internal prayer and silence followed by explosive fits of revelation and outcrying. It is a fascinating branch of Christianity and this painting depicts their private worship so well.
In all my research I have found no conclusive answer to the question of the giant nudes, but the question itself bring me back to this piece every time I visit this museum. Dark, haunting, a forever unraveling mystery to me.
Nov 2, 2024
An incredibly pretentious first share, I know. But when I saw this painting at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam (brag) I had an almost visceral reaction to it. Which is rare for me.
Jan 22, 2024
made in the late 1400s, giant triptych of ~7 ft x 12.5 ft
saw it at the museo del prado in madrid and was absolutely awed by its fantastical and chaotic nature, changed my life, i got one of the little guys tatted on my thigh
Feb 9, 2024
Top Recs from @scremes
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Kind of the best experience
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i use this incessantly and for many purposes and it feels amazing
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🎪 Cabana (amazing interiors + each issue comes covered in dead stock fabric from a luxury brand)
🏸 racquet mag (explores the niche of tennis and other racquet sports)
🪄 a magazine curated by (Dan thawley is my idol!!!)
🪆 the gentlewoman (Penny Martin is also my idol)
🌸 BLUMENHAUS (deserves its own rec tbh— the most gorgeous large-format mag all about flowers, florals, plants, and gardening)
Feb 15, 2024