jaded-mandarin:

Peter Paul Rubens and Workshop. Portrait of a Young Woman, 17th Century.

necspenecmetu:

Giovanni Francesco de Rosa (Pacecco de Rosa), The Ecstasy of Saint Anthony, 17th century

necspenecmetu:

After Willem Wissing, Portrait of Algernon Capel, 2nd Earl of Essex, late 17th century

signorcasaubon:

The Most Blessed Trinity enthroned, here shown as three identical Christ figures seated side by side; possibly Cuzco or Potosi school, c.17 century. The figures of Saint Joseph and Saint Ignatius Loyola complete the scene.

blastedheath:

Aert van der Neer (Dutch, 1613-1677), Landscape with a mill in the moonlight, second half of the 17th century. Oil on canvas, 64 x 77 cm.

moika-palace:

Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich of Russia dressed in a XVII century Russian costume for the Romanov Imperial Ball, April 1903.

[T]here is a saying much usurped of late, That Wisedome is acquired not by reading of Books, but of Men. Consequently whereunto, those persons, that for the most part can give no other proof of being wise, take great delight to shew what they think they have read in men, by uncharitable censures of one another behind their backs.

I observed a custome in all those Italian Cities and Townes through the which I passed, that is not used in any other country that I saw in my travels, neither doe I thinke that any other nation of Christendome doth use it, but only Italy.

The Italian and also most strangers that are commorant in Italy, doe alwaies at their meales use a little forke when they cut their meat. For while with their knife which they hold in one hand they cut the meate out of the dish, they fasten their forke which they hold in their other hand upon the same dish, so that whatsoever he be that sitting in the company of any others at meale, should unadvisedly touch the dish of meate with his fingers from which all at the table doe cut, he will give occasion of offence unto the company, as having transgressed the lawes of good manners, in so much that for his error he shall be at the least brow-beaten, if not reprehended in wordes.

This forme of feeding I understand is generally used in all places of Italy, their forkes being for the most part made of yron or steele, and some of silver, but those are used only by Gentlemen. The reason of this their curiosity is, because the Italian cannot by any means indure to have his dish touched with fingers, seing all mens fingers are not alike cleane.

Hereupon I my selfe thought good to imitate the Italian fashion by this forked cutting of meate, not only while I was in taly, but also in Germany, and oftentimes in England since I came home: being once quipped for that frequent using of my forke, by a certain learned Gentleman, a familiar friend of mine, one M. Laurence Whitaker, who in his merry humour doubted not to call me at table furcifer, only for using a forke at feeding, but for no other cause.

Coryat’s crudities, describing travels in Lombardy in the early 17th century.

(This quote is also on the forks & knives linkspage.)

thehurdlibrary:

August’s woodcut from our 1611 copy of Spenser’s The Shepheard’s Calendar.

Photograph copyright Chris Penney.

Posted by Sarah Stretton, Skills for the Future Graduate Trainee at The Hurd Library and University of Worcester Research Collections.

book-aesthete:

The Courtier’s Calling: Shewing the Ways of Making a Fortune, and the Art of Living at Court, according to the Maxims of Policy & Morality. In Two Parts.
Jacques de Caillieres. J.C. for Richard Tonson, 1675.

The first concerning noblemen: the second concerning gentlemen. By a person of honour, engraved frontispiece, errata at end.