"The Fight Between Carnival and Lent," Peter Bruegel the Elder, 1559.

Like most Bruegel paintings, this is a symbolic panorama of two aspects of human nature, piety and pleasure. On the left is the inn with partiers all about; on the right is the church.

In the lower foreground is the battle between Carnival (a portly man on a beer barrel) and Lent (a scrawny, ill-looking nun on a chair). Before the inn, people perform plays and dance; a procession of lepers goes by with a piper, and a woman bakes waffles.

On the right, beggars gather outside the church, receiving alms, while the wealthy sit and pray inside. In the center, some folks go about everyday business, cleaning and gathering water, while in the background, just right of center, Bruegel sneaks in one of this signature images, a man urinating on a wall.

Happy Mardi Gras!

From the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna.

#Art #PeterBruegelTheElder #DutchRenaissance #Carnival #MardiGras #Lent

Town hall (Stadthuis), Delft, Holland between ca. 1890 and ca. 1900. Views of architecture and other sites in the Netherlands Netherlands Delft
The image is a beautiful, detailed photograph of the Town Hall, or Stadthuis, in Delft, Holland, taken between 1890 and 1900. The building is a stunning example of Dutch Renaissance architecture, with intricate brickwork, tall, narrow windows, and a soaring, ornate spire. The building's facade is adorned with decorative elements, including carved stone garlands, columns, and statues. The entrance is particularly noteworthy, with a grand, arched doorway flanked by columns and topped with a triangular pediment.

The photograph captures the Town Hall in its full glory, with a clear blue sky and a few wispy clouds as a backdrop. The building's reflection can be seen in the still waters of a canal that runs alongside it, adding to the sense of tranquility and serenity. The image is a testament to the beauty and craftsmanship of Dutch architecture and a glimpse into the rich history and culture of Delft and the Netherlands as a whole.
#Stadthuis #Delft #Holland #theTownHall #DutchRenaissance #Dutch #Netherlands #photography #historicalPhotos
https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2001698779/