Art of History

In the mid-1770s, the Earl of Mansfield (1705-1793) commissioned a portrait of his two great-nieces, Elizabeth Murray (1760-1825) and Dido Belle (1761-1804). But it was Elizabeth's name that would be remembered through history, and Dido's would only be rediscovered in the 1990s. In this episode, we discuss her origins, her position in her great-uncles stately home, and how she is portrayed in the only known Neoclassical portrait depicting a black woman and a white woman as equals. Today's image: David Martin, Portrait of Dido Elizabeth Belle and Lady Elizabeth Murray (ca. 1778). Oil on canvas. Scone Palace, Scotland. New episodes every month. Let's keep in touch! Email: artofhistorypod@gmail.com Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/matta_of_factInstagram: @artofhistorypodcast Twitter: @ArtHistoricPod TikTok: @matta_of_fact

Jean-Paul Marat (1743-1793) was a giant of the French Revolution. I guess you could say that one thing led to another, though, and he ended up dead in a bathtub. His friend, artist Jacques-Louis David (1748-1845), memorialized that gruesome event in today's artwork and in the process, spun the narrative to better serve their shared political aims.Today's image: Jacques-Louis David, The Death of Marat (1793). Oil on canvas. Royal Museum of Fine Arts, Belgium.New episodes every month. Let's keep in touch!Email: artofhistorypod@gmail.comSupport on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/matta_of_factInstagram: @artofhistorypodcastTwitter: @ArtHistoricPodTikTok: @matta_of_fact

Our popular image of Queen Victoria (1819-1901) paints her as a monarch, a mother, a wife, and a widow. But today we are looking at a portrait of Victoria that shows us the woman, not her roles. Join me for a bit of historically sanctioned snooping into the hidden side of Victoria, her relationship with her hubby, and their love language of choice. Today's image: Franz Xaver Winterhalter, Queen Victoria (1843). Oil on canvas. Royal Collection Trust, United Kingdom.New episodes every month. Let's keep in touch! Email: artofhistorypod@gmail.comSupport on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/matta_of_factInstagram: @artofhistorypodcastTwitter: @ArtHistoricPodTikTok: @artofhistorypod // @matta_of_fact

Join me for episodes from history, viewed through great works of art. No pre-reqs required! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/amanda-matta/support