Giampietrino’s depiction is set in the context of the mythological tale of Leda with the swan. The main figure is modelled on drawn sketches by Leonardo, the artist’s teacher.

The unusual, large-format portrait of a man is puzzling is several respects. Both the person and the function of his imposing outfit are the subject of lively discussions by researchers.

Many people will be quite familiar with the face of the young woman: From 1961 to 1992, it decorated the 20 deutschmark bill.

The Old Testament figure of Judith saves her people by gaining access to the enemy’s camp as an alleged defector and killing the general after a feast.

Hackert impressively depicts the eruption of Mount Vesuvius which was observed by various groups of visitors, thus suggesting an authentic account of the dramatic event in 1774.

In this painting, van Heemskerck portrayed the family of his patron Jan Foppeszoon, who can be identified by the signet ring on his left hand.

Steen’s rendition of the Epiphany tradition presents the dissolute cheerfulness and the drinking bout that go with it. The one who found the bean baked into the cake became the “bean king.”

The painting by Rubens and Brueghel shows the moment preceding the final scene of the story, shortly before the nymph is transformed into reed on the banks of the Ladon (Ovid, Metamorphoses I, 689-712

Rubens visualizes the victory of the glorious hero in an allegorical form here.

Peeckelhaering belongs to Frans Hals’ lively portraitures and genre scenes that through their unconstrained brushstrokes appear like direct snapshots.

The portrait of a man is from the later period of Frans Hals’ work and considered one of his principle paintings from that time.

The scene of the Satyr with the peasant painted by Jordaens around 1620 is perhaps the earliest version of the theme that the artist went on the repeated a number of times.

Rembrandt depicts the Old Testament scene of Jacob blessing the sons of Joseph (Gen 48) in a very intimate, familial atmosphere.