Artist Fritz Zuber Buhler ( 1822 - 1896 ) - The Master of Elegance and Romance

 Artist Fritz Zuber-Buhler's Paintings

Fritz Zuber-Buhler was a prominent 19th-century Swiss artist whose paintings captured the essence of elegance, beauty, and romance. Born on the 21st of June, 1822, in Le Locle, Switzerland, Zuber-Buhler's artistic talent blossomed at a young age. He received his early education at the Gymnase cantonal in Neuchâtel and then pursued his artistic studies in Paris, under the tutelage of renowned French painter François-Édouard Picot.

Zuber-Buhler's artistic style was deeply influenced by the prevailing Romanticism movement of his time. He excelled in portraying idyllic and sentimental scenes, often depicting beautiful women in luxurious surroundings. His works focused on capturing the delicate play of light, intricate details, and a keen sense of aesthetics, which brought his subjects to life with an enchanting allure.

Throughout his career, Zuber-Buhler gained recognition for his exceptional skills in rendering female figures. His portrayals of women were marked by their grace, refinement, and impeccable fashion. Often depicted in elegant gowns and surrounded by flowers or pastoral landscapes, these women exuded an air of sophistication and timeless beauty.

One of Zuber-Buhler's notable strengths was his ability to convey emotions through the subtle expressions and body language of his subjects. Whether it was the wistful look of a daydreaming lady or the joyous laughter of a playful child, Zuber-Buhler captured these fleeting moments with sensitivity and skill.

Zuber-Buhler's choice of themes ranged from historical and mythological scenes to portraits and genre paintings. His works often incorporated elements of fantasy, further adding to the romantic and dreamlike quality of his art. He skillfully infused his compositions with a sense of narrative, allowing viewers to imagine stories and emotions beyond the canvas.

In addition to his talent as a painter, Zuber-Buhler was also a skilled draftsman and printmaker. His etchings and engravings revealed the same level of attention to detail and artistic finesse seen in his paintings. These prints allowed a broader audience to appreciate his artistry, and many became highly sought after by collectors.

During his lifetime, Fritz Zuber-Buhler received numerous accolades and exhibited his works in prestigious art salons and galleries across Europe. His paintings were well-received, and he gained a considerable following among art enthusiasts and patrons.

Today, Zuber-Buhler's works are treasured as valuable representations of the Romantic era. They continue to inspire artists and art enthusiasts alike, serving as a reminder of the enduring appeal of beauty, emotion, and the power of artistic expression. His legacy as a master of elegance and romance lives on through the admiration of art connoisseurs and the continued influence of his paintings on contemporary artists.

In conclusion, Fritz Zuber-Buhler remains an artist whose impact transcends time. His ability to capture the subtleties of emotion and create mesmerizing compositions ensures his place in art history as a master of Romanticism. Through his depictions of beautiful women and enchanting scenes, he invites us to immerse ourselves in a world of grace and splendor, leaving a lasting impression on all who behold his art.

 

"Orpheus in Hell" by Pierre Amédé Marcel-Beronneau

 1897 Oil on canvas. 200 x 163 cm Museum of Fine Arts, Marseille, France

 In the late 19th century, through the efforts of Joseph Peladin, Catholic symbolism became extremely popular in France. At that time, many artists were deeply immersed in their fantasies. They turned to the legends of antiquity, and the ancient Greek myth of Orpheus, depicted in an enthusiastic combination of gold and blue and telling about the hero's attempts to save his beloved from death, became the icon of their movement.

 Prominent in this series is the painting by Pierre Amédée Marseille-Beronneau, Orpheus in Hell. It was presented at the last of six Salons de la Rose + Croix organized by Péladan, which took place in 1897. The painting, painted under the strong influence of Gustave Moreau, demonstrates how French symbolism freezes in the depths of death, sleep and the subconscious.

 The Salon Rose + Cross took place from 1892 to 1897 in various galleries throughout the French capital. Artists had to obey strict regulations: no still lifes or landscapes, only art in the service of the Divine.

 

"Psyche in Hell" by Eugene Ernest Hillemacher

 The painting Psyche aux enfers was donated to the Melbourne gallery by Esq. Gustave Coursier in 1872. Its author is the French academic artist, master of historical, portrait and genre painting Eugène-Ernest Hillemacher (1818 - 1887). The plot is based on an episode of the legend of the eternal love of Cupid and Psyche.

 Psyche was a mere mortal with a difficult fate: she was strikingly beautiful, her body was perfect. People worshiped her, evil sisters envied her, and men did not try to get the hand of a beauty - she was too good, like a goddess. Aphrodite was offended that the beautiful Psyche was compared with her, and asked her son Cupid to make the girl fall in love with a terrible monster. However, the god of love was fascinated by the beauty of Psyche and did not fulfill his mother's order: instead, he decided to fall in love with the beauty in himself.

 Then Cupid's mother orders Psyche to undergo a series of trials.

 First, Psyche had to sort out a huge pile of grain. The ant colony helped her complete the task.

 Then Aphrodite sent her for the golden fleece of a ferocious ram, which killed quite a few people. The river god helped the beauty: he told how to collect fleece wool that clung to thorny bushes.

  Finally, the goddess sent Psyche to the realm of the dead for a box of beauty from Persephone. The girl appeased Cerberus with pies, and Charon with coins. She completed the task and hurried to Aphrodite. Psyche should not open the box along the way, but after reaching her goal, curiosity gets the best of her, and she looks in, but there was not beauty, but an eternal dream that overcame the girl. But Cupid saved her! The God of love gave Psyche ambrosia to drink and made her immortal. Since then, the happy couple lived in peace and harmony.

 "Psyche in Hell" by Eugene Ernest Hillemacher

 1825 Oil on canvas. Size: 117 × 90 cm. National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne

" Queen Isabel I de Castilla " by Artist Luis de Madrazo (1825–1897)

 

"Portrait of Queen Isabella of Castile" by Luis Madrazo

 1848 Oil on canvas. Prado Museum. 

In world history, the first queen of Spain, Isabella of Castile, left her mark as an influential, far-sighted and tough ruler. She ruled the country in tandem with her husband Ferdinand of Aragon, so this era was called the reign of kings. This time is marked by a number of reforms and innovations of global significance.

First of all, the couple united Spain by making a dynastic marriage. Being a zealous Catholic, Isabella strengthened the Spanish Inquisition in order to strengthen the purity of the Catholic faith, expelling thousands of Gentiles from the country. The ambitious queen blessed Christopher Columbus to circumnavigate the world, and his discovery of the American continent was the beginning of the colonization of new lands and the transformation of Spain into a powerful empire until the middle of the 16th century.

In 1468, when Isabella was 17 years old, her brother proclaimed her heir to the throne of Castile, elevating her to the title of Princess of Asturias. Guardianship of the elder brother of the future queen also meant that she must coordinate her marriage with him. Isabella disobeyed and, rejecting the candidates proposed by Enrique, secretly married Prince Ferdinand of Aragon.


The secret marriage took place on October 19, 1469. Ferdinand's retinue had to travel incognito, disguised as merchants, while Isabella left the palace on the pretext of visiting her sick mother.
Isabella was known for her intelligence, energy, inflexible character, she was distinguished by perseverance, God-fearing and arrogance. She spent her time on campaigns, where, sitting on a horse, she herself often commanded detachments, then in the office, where, together with her secretaries, she read and compiled state papers.
In the appearance of the queen, the greenish-blue eyes, characteristic of the Trastamara dynasty, stood out. The complexion was delicate, the hair was golden, the stature was short, and the physique was not particularly graceful. Nevertheless, it was noted that in her appearance there was an innate nobility and dignity.

Since she spent her childhood away from the court and was not considered as an heiress, her education was rather weak. She was taught to read, write and have good manners. Embroidery remained her favorite pastime and a rest from public affairs. She subsequently had to make up for many gaps in her education herself.


Isabella was even taller than her husband. Ferdinand, being a year younger than his wife, was her complete opposite: jet-black hair, swarthy skin, brown eyes. A recognized handsome man, even before marriage, he acquired 2 illegitimate children, he had 2 more bastards in marriage with Isabella.


In an official union, Ferdinand and Isabella had 10 children. Of these, only 4 daughters and 1 son survived - Juan of Asturias, who also did not live to see the throne and died at the age of 19.


The daughters of Isabella of Castile left their mark on history. All four became queens. Isabella of Asturias and Mary of Aragon were married to the Portuguese king Manuel I (wedowed, he married his wife's younger sister). The younger Catherine of Aragon became the wife of the legendary English King Henry VIII Tudor. And, finally, Juana the Mad, who passed the Castilian throne, was the wife of the Spanish king Philip the Handsome.

Isabella ascended the throne and declared herself Queen of Castile and León on December 14, 1474, after the death of her brother Enrique. The king, before his death, forgave his sister's disobedience and recognized her marriage to Ferdinand. In fact, this union, having united Castile and Aragon, created the Spanish kingdom (complete political unification occurred with the annexation of Navarre in 1512).


Under Isabella, Saint Ermandada appeared - armed detachments for the protection of order, this greatly limited the arbitrariness of the Spanish grandees and Cortes. Royal power, on the contrary, rose more and more, gaining absolute authority.


Over the almost 30-year history of the reign of Queen Isabella, at least 3 major events occurred that influenced the course of world history. The first is the end of the Reconquista, the holy war declared by Christians against the Arab invasion and the planting of the Muslim religion throughout the occupied Iberian Peninsula. Until 1492, only Granada remained under Arab rule. The capture of this city by the troops of Isabella and Ferdinand meant the end of almost 7 centuries of confrontation.


Isabella also ordered the expulsion of all Arabs and Jews from Spain in order to fight for the purity of the Catholic faith. Gentiles should either leave the country or accept Catholicism. Those who, having acquired a new faith, secretly observed the old rites, were burned at the stake by the Inquisition. Subsequently, the unfortunate began to settle in separate quarters, called ghettos.


And, finally, the third initiative of Isabella, which went down in history, is the equipment for the sea expedition of Christopher Columbus, the result of which was the discovery of the New World for European countries in the period from 1492 to 1504.
Over the years, the queen's health has weakened: numerous births and protracted religious fasts have taken their toll. By the age of 50, she had become a gloomy recluse who yearned for her daughters who had been married off to other kingdoms.


The last blow for Isabella was the terrible truth: the woman found out that her beloved daughter Juana - the most beautiful and cheerful - suffers from a mental disorder, like her grandmother.
Nevertheless, the queen made her favorite the heir to the Spanish throne, but indicated in her will that in the event of her daughter's insanity, her father Ferdinand was appointed regent. In November 1504, Isabella died in Medina del Campo due to a long illness. The tomb of the monarch is located in the Royal Chapel in Granada.


In 1515, her husband Ferdinand was buried next to the queen. He survived his wife for 11 years, during which he actually ruled the state and left the crown to his grandson Charles of Habsburg - the son of Juana the Mad and Philip the Handsome.


The biography of such a great woman has attracted writers, directors and artists at all times. The personality of Isabella of Castile was sung by writers. Lawrence Schoonover's novels The Queen's Cross, C. W. Gortner's The Queen's Oath, Victoria Holt's The Queen of Castile and Spain for Kings are dedicated to her biography.


Many famous actresses embodied the image of Queen Isabella in the cinema: Sigourney Weaver in the film "1492: The Conquest of Paradise" (1992), Faye Dunaway in the series "Christopher Columbus" (1985), Rachel Ward in the film "Christopher Columbus: The Conquest of America" ​​(1992) , Florence Eldridge in Christopher Columbus (1949).



Isabella of Castile even appears in the popular Turkish TV series The Magnificent Age. The scriptwriters came up with a storyline according to which the young infanta is kidnapped by corsairs, and the future queen becomes a prisoner of Sultan Suleiman. However, the events described in the series have nothing to do with historical truth.

"Queen Isabel I de Castilla" by Artist Luis de Madrazo  (1825–1897)

Artist Joseph-Desire Court (1797-1865) | ArtLiveAndbeauty

 

Joseph-Desire Court's Paintings

Joseph-Desire Court was a French portrait painter and historical painter, director of the Museum of Art in Rouen. Joseph-Desire Court belongs to the romantic direction of painting in the form of sentimentalism, popular in Russia, Germany and England. In France, alas!, such romanticism was not in honor. Since French romanticism is violent colors and historical plots of Géricault and Delacroix. Joseph-Desire Court was born in Rouen. Even as a child, by copying the portrait of his mother by the artist Hyacinthe Rigaud, Joseph showed everyone his talent and interest in painting. Therefore, the boy was sent to the municipal drawing school of Jean-Baptiste-Marc-Antoine Descamps, where his first steps in creativity and the study of the basics took place under the guidance of Descamps' son, professor and curator of the Rouen Museum. Joseph has won first place in school competitions more than once. While still studying in Paris, 

42 Paintings By Artist Carl Timoleon von Neff 🇪🇪 | ArtLiveAndBeauty

 

Carl Timoleon von Neff's Paintings

Artist Carl Timoleon von Neff was a Famous 19th-century painter, exemplar of mature academicism, court artist to Nicholas I, gifted portraitist, creator of colossal temple paintings, and painter of works with historical subjects. As a portrait painter, Carl Timoleon von Neff made his mark on art history. His female portraits with heavenly features were very emotive. By highlighting the nobility and impeccable manners, the natural beauty of the features, and the porcelain whiteness of his models' skin, he expertly communicated the likeness of a painting. The artist paid close attention to the described details, clothing, and accessories. Carl Timoleon von Neff captured the beauty and wealth of the surroundings in ceremonial portraits.A chamber portrait by Carl Timoleon von Neff, a romantic artist who values the image of feminine elegance, holds a distinct position in his body of work. In this picture, he portrays images of his renowned "bathers," virgins of exquisite beauty. Such paintings were common in secular societies, graced the private areas of wealthy homes, and thrilled the eye with the piquancy of their subject matter. Despite the plot's seeming impersonality and the image's collectiveness, each heroine is actually hiding a distinct personality that the artist has disguised as a Nymph or another biblical figure.

Orpheus and Eurydice , By Artist Anselm Feuerbach (1829–1880)

 

Orpheus and Eurydice
by Anselm Feuerbach 
 1869

Orpheus, the singer, resided in Thrace in northern Greece. He had a tremendous ability for music, and his popularity spread across the Greek nation. Eurydice fell in love with him because of the music. She eventually married him. Their joy, however, was fleeting. She left her spouse and went into the wilderness. A snake curled around her leg and stung her. Eurydice screamed in agony and fright and collapsed on the grass. Orpheus rushed to his wife after hearing her pleading scream from afar. But when he saw the big black wings flashing through the trees, he knew it was Death carrying Eurydice to the underworld.

Orpheus and Eurydice , by Artist Anselm Feuerbach
source : https://sammlung.belvedere.at/objects/735/orpheus-und-eurydike

Orpheus was overcome with sadness. He abandoned everybody and spent days alone trekking through the woods, singing his heart out. And the force of these gloomy melodies was so strong that the trees abandoned their positions and surrounded the singer. Animals emerged from their burrows, birds fled their nests, and stones became closer. Everyone heard his longing for his lover, and Orpheus determined to visit the realm of the dead himself.

Orpheus sailed down the Styx, passing unknown people's spirits and souls. When he played his lyre, he melted Hades' heart. Orpheus was instructed by Hades that he might take Eurydice with him on one condition: she would accompany him out of the underworld's cave, but he should not look at her before she left the realm of the dead, or he would lose her forever.

Orpheus was overjoyed, thinking it would be a simple chore for someone as patient as himself; he thanked the gods and returned to the world. However, after failing to hear Eurydice's steps, he began to suspect that the gods had duped him. Eurydice was truly behind him, but like a shadow, she needed to return to the light in order to reclaim her complete femininity. Orpheus lost hope only a few feet from the exit and turned to see Eurydice behind him, but her shadow was hurled back into the realm of the dead, now forever.

Orpheus attempted to return to Hades, but a person cannot enter Hades twice while still alive. According to many versions of the tale, Orpheus started to sing a mournful song to his lyre, pleading for death so that he may eternally be with Eurydice. He is eventually slain by the animals that rip him apart. Another account has Zeus striking him with lightning because he was afraid Orpheus would divulge the mysteries of the underworld to the humans.

Artist Philip Hermogenes Calderon | ArtLiveAndBeauty

 

Philip Hermogenes Calderon's Paintings

Philippe Hermogenes Calderon, an English genre painter and graphic artist of the Pre-Raphaelite movement, was born on May 3, 1833 in France. A Royal Academy of Arts member. The master was particularly drawn to historical and genre topics.
A Catholic priest who immigrated to England as the son of a Frenchwoman and a Spaniard, where his father became a professor of Spanish literature at King's College London.
Philip trained with James Lee in London and improved under Pico's tutelage in Paris. He was not permitted to draw freely and daydream here, but was compelled to sketch the models meticulously so that the product was entirely correct from head to toe. These principles of practical sketching benefited him well throughout his career.
Calderon's painting "Waters of Babylon" was a hit when it was shown at the Academy in 1852. He painted largely portraits over the following five years.
He was the leader of the St John's Wood Clique, a group of painters who generally resided in the countryside and painted historical subjects.
He received a gold medal at the International Exhibition in Paris in 1867. His writing was viewed by London reviewers as an intelligent combination of English feeling with French flair. In the same year, he was promoted to full academician. 
Calderon had been primarily a portrait painter since 1870, and he became curator of the Royal Academy in 1887. The Guardian lived nearby the Academy and was the formal leader of the Academy's School. These responsibilities did not leave much time for the artist to paint. On April 30, 1898, Philip Hermogenes Calderon died.

"The Little Girl of Bonchamp in 1793" By The French Painter Jean Paul Laurent | ArtLiveAndBeauty

 

"The Little Girl of Bonchamp in 1793", 1893 - French painter, muralist, sculptor, graphic artist and illustrator Jean Paul Laurent.

In a major battle at Cholet in 1793, the Vendean rebel army was badly defeated, and their leader, Charles de Bonchamp, was mortally wounded.His wife fled with their daughter and son, who died on the way, but they were eventually captured. The wife escaped execution, as the dying Bonchamps pardoned 5,000 captured French republicans who were to be executed after the battle, since the defeated army could not take them with them.

Bonchamp's young daughter Zoe, who was sent to court for a pardon letter, was asked by the judges to sing the song. She spontaneously sang "Long Live, Long Live the King, Down with the Republic". The judges were touched by the resourcefulness of the little girl, and she left the court with a letter of pardon to her mother.

63 Paintings Of Artist Federico de Madrazo y Kuntz 🇪🇸 ( 1815 - 1894 ) | ArtLiveAndBeauty

 

Federico de Madrazo y Kuntz's Paintings

Federico de Madrazo Y Kunz (his full name; Kunz is the surname of his German mother) was born in Rome on February 9, 1815, into the family of the Spanish artist José de Madrazo I Agudo. Madrazo is a well-known creative dynasty in Spain: Federico Luis's brother and Federico Raimundo's son were also painters. Federico's daughter Cecilia married an artist, Mariano Fortuny, and their son went on to become a well-known fashion designer, founding his own fashion brand, Mariano Fortuny and Madrazo. As a result, the family is unquestionably creative.

" The Women of Amphisa " (1887) Lawrence Alma-Tadema (1836-1912)

" The Women of Amphisa " (1887) By Artist Lawrence Alma-Tadema (1836-1912)

Lawrence Alma-Tadema is a British artist of Dutch origin who painted mainly on historicalstories. One of the most famous and highly paid artists of the Victorian era .

" Amphisa " is a city in Greece that was founded in the 7th century BC and still exists today.

" The Women of Amphisa " (1887) By Artist Lawrence Alma-Tadema (1836-1912)

Poetess By Artist Fritz Zuber Buhler 1822 - 1896

 

" Poetess " , By Artist Fritz Zuber-Buhler

 A well-known painting by the Swiss artist, whose work is notable for its romantic subjects, detailed compositions and elegant painting style. The Poetess was painted at the end of the 19th century, when the movements of feminists and suffragettes fighting for equality between men and women were just beginning to develop in Europe. Perhaps the main character was one of those women.

 What should a respectable mother of a family think about? Probably about the fact that the children were healthy, well-fed and that the husband was happy and did not leave for another. But not in this case. The heroine of the painting by Fritz Zuber-Buhler became interested in poetry. The woman is so passionate about writing another masterpiece that she cannot pay attention to the household. Therefore, things in the family are not going as well as we would like.

 A coffee pot with a cup, saying that the poetess sat at work all night. However, the muse never came to the woman, which can be understood from the pile of drafts lying under the table. The troubles of life are of little concern to the main character, who is in her own creative world, where, judging by the slight smirk on her face, she feels good.

 Fritz Zuber-Bühler ( 1822 - 1896 ) was a Swiss genre painter. Born in Le Locle, Switzerland. At the age of 16 he moved to Paris, where he met his first teacher, Louis Groscloud (1784-1869). Then he studied at the School of Fine Arts, improved his skills with Francois-Edouard Picot. Then he went to Italy, after 5 years he returned to Paris and there, in 1850, he made his debut at the Salon.

" Poetess " , Fritz Zuber-Buhler, 1880 Canvas, oil. Size: 68x76 cm. Bern Art Museum 

" The Spirit of 76 " , 7 Versions By Artist Archibald Willard 🇺🇸 ( 1836 - 1918 )

" The Spirit of '76 ",  By Artist Archibald Willard

Representatives from the 13 original colonies signed the Declaration of Independence of the United States on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from British sovereignty. Willard created this patriotic landscape in remembrance of the momentous event over a century later. As he witnessed a joyous procession pass through the town square of his hometown in Ohio, he was inspired.

In the painting, three men of varied ages march over the battlefield, proclaiming their triumph. We can practically hear "Yankee Doodle" being played (the song was originally written in 1755 by British soldiers to poke fun at the disheveled American military, but by 1776 the Americans had adopted it and turned it into a source of patriotic pride). In the foreground, a wounded US soldier waves in what may be his dying act. Soldiers lift their bayonets in joy as the American flag appears through cannon smoke, alluding to the birth of a new nation.

"The Spirit of '76" (also known as "Yankee Doodle") became one of the most well-known paintings linked with the American Revolutionary War. It debuted in the 1876 World's Fair in Philadelphia. "The Spirit of 76" was a huge success, delighting everyone from regular spectators to President Ulysses Grant. The earliest version of the artwork, titled Yankee Doodle, debuted in 1876, on the 100th anniversary of the Revolutionary War. A. M. Willard then created numerous other variants. These are symbols of the energy that propelled the American Revolution to victory. The fabled 13-star banner flutters over the oncoming army's thirteen pitiful battalions. They continue on as local tales of liberation, images of inspirational courage, often imitated for the purpose of levity.

" The Spirit of 76 " 1875 , 7 Versions By Artist Archibald Willard 🇺🇸 ( 1836 - 1918 )

 

How a ruined portrait changed the fate of China's first beauty

 

 This whole story is very similar to a fairy tale, if not for historical facts and real historical characters. And although it is now difficult to separate the truth from the artistic exaggeration, nevertheless, the fate of Wang Chao-chun is striking in its incredible twists and turns.

 

 She was born into a noble family in one of the provinces of China, was the youngest and most beloved daughter of an elderly father. She possessed everything that a girl of those times needed: she was educated, played music, knew how to ride. Popular rumor says that she was so pretty that birds, blinded by her beauty, fell dead at her feet. In any case, one goose definitely fell off during her horse ride through the neighborhood, when she played some sad melody on the Chinese lute. In those days, becoming the emperor's concubines was a pretty good career. After all, lawful wives for the ruler were chosen from there. And Wang Chao-Chun all predicted just such a fate. And she really got into the harem. But there were so many concubines that the emperor was not able to see them all. Therefore, he ordered to present their portraits. All the girls tried to look their best and even paid bribes to artists to portray them more beautifully. And only Wang Chao-Chun did not do this. Either she was confident in her beauty, or she considered bribery dishonest, but the fact is that the artist disfigured her appearance.

And maybe she would have remained until the end of her life among the concubines, in fact, the maids of honor of the court, if a new abrupt twist of fate had not presented itself. The Xiongnu nomads, who had been at enmity with the powerful Chinese empire for centuries, concluded a truce and passed into the status of an external vassal. And as a strengthening of interstate ties, dynastic marriage was used. However, the emperor did not want to give the daughter of his concubine, in fact the princess, to marry wild nomads, but ordered to find the most unattractive maid of honor. According to the portraits, it turned out that this must be Wang Chao-chun.

And the beauty agreed to marry outside the homeland. However, when she was introduced to the emperor, it turned out that, contrary to the portrait, she was beautiful, and even well educated, educated and virtuous. The ruler bitterly regretted that such a girl would have to be given to savages, but the word of the emperor is precious, and it must not be violated. So the first beauty of China became the wife of the Hun ruler Huhanye. And the insidious artist who distorted the portrait of Wang Chao-chun was executed. The time of Wang Chao-chun's stay among the Huns became the heyday of culture, she, using her immense influence on the ruler, spread civilized traditions among the nomads. And when the ruler died, she wrote a letter to the emperor about returning to her homeland. However, according to custom, she was to become the wife of the next leader. In general, until the end of her life, Wang Chao-chun lived among nomads, she had two sons and two daughters, who became influential figures in Xiongnu politics.

 The amazing fate of Wang Chao-chun or Zhaojun in Chinese transcription formed the basis of many songs and legends. She is considered one of the four main beauties of China. Theatrical performances and operas, books and serials are dedicated to her.

" The Seventh Plague of Egypt " 1823 By Artist John Martin (1789 – 1854) | ArtLiveAndBeauty

" The Seventh Plague of Egypt " By Artist John Martin

The term "plague" refers to various large-scale epidemics with comparable symptoms that have occurred throughout history. The first of them was the so-called Justinian plague, which swept over Byzantium and the Mediterranean in the middle of the sixth century, killing over 100 million people. Another such incident was the medieval "Black Plague," which wiped off around one-third of Europe's population in the middle of the 14th century.

The 10 Plagues in order: 

Turning the Nile water into blood

The blood:

According to Jewish traditions, the first strike occurred when all the waters of the Nile River turned into blood, but according to the scientific interpretation, it was a phenomenon of red algae, which colored the Nile waters red, and amazed the Egyptians a lot at the time, and there are several known events in history in which this phenomenon appeared in sources Natural water.

Frogs:

According to scientific explanations, the emergence of the wave of frogs throughout Egypt was due to the previous phenomenon, which is red algae, as it changed the environmental balance in the Nile, killing the fish that swam in it, and the death of the fish allowed the rapid reproduction of frogs, which multiplied without limits.

Lice:

The spread of lice, which is a common phenomenon even today in all parts of the world and not only in Egypt, during the reign of Pharaoh Moses, according to scientific interpretations, came because of the "frogs" that brought behind an epidemic of lice, which fed on the corpses of frogs that floated on the Nile River, in addition to Lice were a rare phenomenon in Egypt at that time.

Flies:

The plague of "flies", which was the fourth plague of the ten plagues, consisted of many insects, which, according to scientific explanations, fed on the dead bodies of frogs, fish, and algae that filled the Nile River.
The plague:
The "plague" epidemic was also common at that time, according to scientific estimates, and it was spread by rats, especially in Europe, and it is possible that the many insects that came to Egypt at that stage were the ones that transmitted the "plague" disease that led to mass death. for farm animals.

Boils:

The sixth plague was "boils," a skin ailment linked to leprosy that was spread by "flies" and insects that carried the disease.

Bringing down the cold and the fire:

Scientists have proven that areas where a severe volcanic eruption occurred are susceptible to the formation of severe thunderstorms, and it appears that a volcanic eruption has resulted in severe weather conditions, which were reflected in the heavy hail that destroyed Egypt's grain fields, and as for the outbreak of fire, it is still a mystery because scientists have not found a scientific explanation for it.

Locust:

The phenomenon of "locusts" is natural and still occurs to this day, and the locust strike is still common in the world, and in the Middle East as well, and in March 2013, swarms of locusts launched attacks on Sudan, Egypt and Israel, and according to scientific explanations for the "locust" strike that occurred During the reign of Pharaoh Moses, it came as a result of severe climatic changes that occurred due to the volcanic eruption, or as a result of hail, as heavy rainfall could in turn lead to the growth of locust swarms.

The Darkness:

The scientific explanations for the “darkness” strike said that the complete decline of darkness on the face of the region for a continuous period is a phenomenon that is difficult to explain, but it linked it to the volcanic eruption, as it is known that the accumulation of volcanic ash in the air may cause darkness, as has already happened also in the past years, and there is an explanation Another said that a "long solar eclipse" that occurred in Egypt may be behind this phenomenon.
Death of premature infants:
This is the most difficult blow to interpret among all the strikes of Egypt. According to the story recounted by Jewish beliefs, all the firstborn sons of the families of Egypt died in one night, while the sons of the Jews survived, and the “Torah” tells that God Himself moved from door to door, and slaughtered the children of The Egyptians, and the Jews were spared because they kept God's commandments by putting a mark on the doors of their homes with the blood of a lamb they sacrificed to God.
Scientists say that it is possible that the children of Egypt died because they ate contaminated grain, which was filled with mold after the plague and locusts struck, and others say that the Egyptians themselves were the ones who killed their firstborn sons and sacrificed them to their god, because they believed that only in this way would they be saved from the evils that befell them.

" The Seventh Plague of Egypt " 1823 By Artist John Martin (1789 – 1854)

Meeting of Orestes and Hermione , By Artist Anne Louis Girodet Trioson ( 1767 - 1824 )

" Meeting of Orestes and Hermione "  , By Artist Anne-Louis Girodet-Trioson

Painting by a pupil of Louis David, a French historical painter. Among the classicism that dominated French art at the time, he became the forerunner of romanticism, which quickly changed the course of the movement. The artist was drawn to the complicated theme of unrequited love and treachery shown in the tragedy "Andromache" by French playwright Jean Racine.

The narrative is based on the moment in which Cleon introduces Orestes to his crafty cousin Hermione. Clytemnestra orders her to influence Orestes and finally drive him mad.

Girodet-Trioson skilfully contrasts Orestes' passion and Hermione's sensible disposition. She turns away, her arms crossed across her chest, like a statue between the columns of the chilly marble chamber. Hermione's sneaky expression, on the other hand, forewarns the spectator of her devious tactics, which will ultimately lead to a disastrous conclusion.

 " Meeting of Orestes and Hermione " , by Artist Anne-Louis Girodet-Trioson , 1846 Oil on canvas. Cleveland Museum of Art