24 Comments
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Katie Branigan's avatar

This is amazing! I love looking at art through your eyes. I'm not well-versed enough to pick up on the details myself, but they really enhance my experience of the pieces. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

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James Lucas's avatar

You have no idea how much I appreciated reading your comment. Thank you, Katie.

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Carletto's avatar

Your words = my take

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Kim DiGiacomo's avatar

I am amazed by this! I had no idea that artists from long ago incorporated subliminal messages and surprises into their paintings. How many more masterpieces are out there, hiding surprises right in front of us that we just can't see?

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Skott Jones's avatar

brilliantly done. my favs were the eyck reflection and the borrell del caso wonder boy. i so appreciate the time you took to put it all together and point out what to look for. thank you james for introducing some much-needed wonder into my day

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James Lucas's avatar

Thank you so much!

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Miriam Shapiro's avatar

Breathtaking. I’m in tears. I just don’t understand how people today can tolerate the junk that passes for art today. Fortunately, there a few people, like the Florence Academy and Jacob Collins’ school in NY, (and me!) who carry on this amazing tradition.

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James Lucas's avatar

I couldn't agree more

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Ellie Rickard's avatar

I love this post and the details..I'm.amazed, wonderful thank you.

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Mike Isaac's avatar

Wonderful! Thank you!

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Mambo Italiano's avatar

Such a beautiful article

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Purple History's avatar

Quite incredible how many little details there are hidden in these pictures. Thanks for taking the time to explore them!

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Beverley Dickson's avatar

Everyday is a school day! Thanks for these enlightening insights and thought provoking images to ponder ✨

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Elizabeth Schneider's avatar

Thank you so much for sharing beauty. When I traveled for a living, I made a point to see the marvelous art museums both in the US and abroad, stunning old architecture as well as the symphony and opera. I am no art critic but I do not find modern art palatable. Beautiful art and music feeds the soul. Thank you for bringing beauty to my day and feeding my soul.

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Patti Kromer's avatar

Wow, I loved this. The Queen's Conjuror was my favorite. I always learn so much from ur articles!

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Sera's avatar

I like these examples, and enjoy Tromp l’oeil; it’s fun. Craft which borders on magic can be breathtaking.

But, the mirror in the painting, like a lipogram, is really no more than a trick. A book written without the letter ’e’ must still be written well, and have something to say. And if that’s the case, who cares if it contains an ‘e’ or not?

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DD.'s avatar

How delightful James.

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Kathryn's avatar

Wonderful! The only detail I had previously been aware of was the skull in the Holbein the younger. With your prompt, I looked closer at the Caravaggio, and saw the shadow of a fish tail to the right of the fruit.

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sylvia malkah calderón couriel's avatar

GRACIAS

Excellent material

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Adrian Mitis's avatar

Visual messages.

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