Gyula Benczúr - Baptism of Vajk

Gyula Benczúr - Reoccupation of Buda Castle in 1686

Two of the finest horses ever painted. I also love the subtle but effective atmosphere he painted behind the horses and figures to help offset them and create depth. It is almost like a glow around the figures.





Vasily Dmitrievich Polenov - Woman taken in Adultery

Below is one of the studies he did for the figure of Christ. I think that out of the context of the painting, many western viewers, including myself, would not have identified who it was depicting. I love the strong, decisive brushwork. It reminds me of N.C. Wyeth.





Gustav Bauernfeind - Jaffa, Recruiting of Turkish Soldiers in Palestine

José Casado del Alisal - Bell of Huesca

The old guy on the left is Ramiro the Second of Aragon, a monk with an agenda. He inherited the kingdom of Aragon from his late brother and desired greater obedience from the nobles in his kingdom. He did what any rational mad monk would do, he cut the heads of 12 of them and used the last one's head as the clapper of a symbolic bell that when "rung" would be heard throughout his kingdom. If that didn't work, I am guessing that massive dog on the chain was going to bite some faces off.





Lionel Royer - Vercingétorix Throwing his Weapons at the Feet of Caesar

Lionel Royer - Madonna and Child

Charles Amable Lenoir - Odalisque

Charles Lenoir - A la Recherche du Temps Perdu



