RANDOM WEDNESDAY: Girl accidentally strips herself

 via BeKind

Louis Léopold Robert

Art Appreciation

Louis Léopold Robert was born on May 13, 1794, in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Neuchâtel, Switzerland. At sixteen, he moved to Paris to apprentice under engraver Jean Girardet. While training, Robert also attended Jacques-Louis David's studio, where he developed his painting skills. 

The political changes of 1815, which restored Neuchâtel to Prussia, prevented him from competing for the prestigious Grand Prix due to his altered nationality. This setback led him to return to Switzerland before eventually relocating to Rome to pursue painting. ​

In Rome, Robert immersed himself in depicting Italian peasant life, focusing on the customs and attire of southern Italy. His works are characterized by detailed representations of everyday scenes, capturing the essence of Italian culture. 

He aimed to create a series representing the four seasons through Italian life: "The Return from the Fête of the Madonna dell'Arco" (Spring), "The Arrival of the Reapers in the Pontine Marshes" (Summer), and "The Departure of Fishermen from the Adriatic" (Winter). The autumn piece remained incomplete. ​

Among Robert's notable works is "Brigand and His Wife in Prayer" (1824), portraying a brigand couple praying before a roadside cross in central Italy. This painting reflects Robert's fascination with the brigante subculture and their piety despite their criminality. 

Another significant piece, "The Arrival of the Reapers in the Pontine Marshes" (1830), depicts laborers arriving for the harvest, capturing the vibrancy of Italian rural life. These works exemplify Robert's commitment to illustrating the dignity and traditions of Italian peasants. ​

Tragically, personal struggles, including an unrequited love for Princess Charlotte Napoléon Bonaparte, led Robert to take his own life on March 20, 1835, in Venice. 

Brigand and his wife in prayer, 1824

The Arrival of the Reapers in the Pontine Marshes, 1831

Portrait of Charlotte Bonaparte, 1830

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/plan-your-visit/exhibitions/true-to-nature-open-air-painting-in-europe-1780-1870/artists/louis-leopold-robert

https://www.fondationcustodia.fr/92-Louis-Leopold-Robert-1532

https://arthive.com/artists/94288~Louis_Lopold_Robert/works/649423~Portrait_of_Charlotte_Bonaparte

Joachim von Sandrart

Art Appreciation

Joachim von Sandrart was born on May 12, 1606, in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, into a family of Protestant merchants. From a young age, he displayed artistic talent, prompting his early training under Dutch engraver Aegidius Sadeler in Prague. 

His formative years were shaped by travel and exposure to various artistic centers in Europe, including Italy, where he studied the works of Caravaggio and the Venetian masters. These experiences broadened his perspective and laid the foundation for a cosmopolitan artistic identity.

As a painter, Sandrart embraced the Baroque style, known for its drama, movement, and attention to detail. His technique demonstrated a blend of German precision and Italian influence, particularly in his use of light and composition. Sandrart favored historical, mythological, and religious subjects, often depicting grand scenes with multiple figures and elaborate settings. 

He was also deeply involved in the art theory of his time, publishing Teutsche Academie, one of the earliest art history texts in German, which reflected his scholarly interest in documenting artistic achievement.

Among Sandrart’s notable works is "Peace-Banquet" (1649), which commemorated the Peace of Westphalia. "Peace-Banquet" is particularly celebrated for its historical importance and intricate composition, capturing a defining moment in European politics.

Self-portrait, 1641

The Peace Banquet, 1649

Trinity, 1671

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://www.getty.edu/art/collection/person/103KQ9

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Joachim-von-Sandrart

https://research.rkd.nl/en/detail/https%3A%2F%2Fdata.rkd.nl%2Fartists%2F69604

https://www.nuremberg.museum/projects/show/1134-the-peace-banquet-the-great-hall-of-the-nuremberg-town-hall-on-25-9-1649

When a Delivery Becomes a Danger Zone

Pardon the Interruption

I recently watched a disturbing video on X (formerly Twitter): a man walked out of his house, gun in hand, and opened fire on a car parked in the road. According to the post, the driver was a DoorDash worker who had simply gotten lost. The man firing the gun? Chester Highway Superintendent John J. Reilly III.

A few hours later, the same video began circulating again—this time with a different spin. Commenters speculated about Reilly’s political beliefs, debating whether he was a MAGA supporter. Honestly, I couldn’t care less about his politics. What shook me was something more personal: my daughter is a DoorDash driver.

She delivers food while attending university, just trying to make ends meet. A few months ago, she was bitten by dogs during a delivery. They charged at her from the very house she was delivering to. She was terrified. Thankfully, her girlfriend was with her and rushed her to a clinic. She’s okay now, but it rattled us.

These delivery workers are not just strangers dropping off food. They’re someone’s child, partner, or parent. They’re trying to earn a living—often alone, often at odd hours. What happened to that 24-year-old driver could happen to any of them. My heart goes out to him and his family. 

DANCE: J.Fla - Let Me Down Slowly

Choreography: Vicki Venus

via Vicki Venus (Pole Dancer)

John Mayer - New Light

Music Appreciation

John Mayer’s song "New Light" was co-written by him and released on May 10, 2018 as the lead single from his eighth studio album Sob Rock.

Musically, "New Light" sports a breezy, rhythmic groove that pairs Mayer’s smooth vocals with light, playful guitar riffs. The song’s composition invites listeners into a relaxed, refreshing soundscape that hints at reinvention and self-reflection. Many interpret its lyrics as a gentle nudge to shed old perceptions and embrace a new perspective—an idea that resonates with the song’s upbeat vibe.

The music video, directed by Fatal Farm, mirrors the song’s light-hearted spirit with its quirky visuals and tongue-in-cheek humor. Mayer appears in a variety of amusing scenarios that poke fun at his public persona, all filmed with a creative, low-key approach. Behind the scenes, the video’s production was marked by spontaneity and a willingness to experiment, sparking playful chatter among fans and critics alike.

Sources:

Wikipedia

Fashion is DEFINITELY Art: The Making of Vogue’s Met Gala Issue

This year’s Met Gala isn’t just a star-studded fashion spectacle—it’s a cultural statement. Inspired by the Superfine: Tailoring Black Style exhibition at the Costume Institute, the event puts Black dandyism and self-expression at the center of fashion’s most visible stage. Curated in collaboration with scholars and artists like Monica Miller and Iké Udé, the exhibit highlights how Black men have used fashion as a form of resistance, identity, and artistry across generations.

But what began as a celebration of Black style now lands in a politically charged climate. With federal crackdowns on diversity programming and renewed attacks on race-centered initiatives, the Met Gala has become, intentionally or not, a symbol of cultural pushback. Under the leadership of Anna Wintour and co-chairs like A$AP Rocky and LeBron James, this year's event challenges the industry to go beyond aesthetics and embrace accountability.

From Harlem to high fashion, this moment is more than a red carpet—it's about reclaiming space, honoring legacy, and reshaping who gets seen in the halls of power and style.

Co-Director: Nina Ljeti, Bety Dereje via Vogue

Source:

https://archive.is/2025.05.05-091935/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/05/style/met-gala-2025-black-dandy-politics.html