The Comtesse d’Egmont Pignatelli in Spanish Costume (1763). Alexander Roslin (Swedish, 1718–98). Oil on canvas. Minneapolis Institute of Arts. The countess’s glowing gown of white satin has sleeves...

I’ve resisted watching season two of The Spanish Princess (2020), because season one was so exhausting (I wrote recaps AND research articles about the history, the Spanish costumes, and the E…

Jacques Henri Lartigue, Me and my friends in the Auvergne, 1913 Kiyoshi Sakamoto, Swimming Lessons, Japan, 1927 Franklin Prince Knott, Woman outside the South Pueblo, Taos, New Mexico, ca. 1914 Jules Gervais-Courtellemont, Portrait of Young Spanish Woman, ca 1914 I have always loved the colors of autochromes, the first color process developed in 1903 by the Lumière brothers. Potato starch mixed with color dyes was used on glass plates to yield grainy, positive color images that resemble exquisite pointilist paintings. It was a difficult process. Sensitized plates had to be used within weeks. The emulsion was slow, necessitating long exposures. Yet it was championed by the most prominent photographers of the day. Alvin Langdon Coburn claimed "It's the greatest thing that ever happened to photography." Edward Steichen's beautiful portrait of Rodin remains one of the most celebrated autochromes. In 1900, Rodin's reputation was already entrenched when a young Steichen paid him a visit with his portfolio to convince the famous sculptor to be photographed. The results in the ensuing years were some of the best photographic records of Rodin. Edward Steichen, Rodin-The Eve, 1907

1550s Alonso Sanchez Coello (Spanish painter, ca.1531-1588) Carlos, Prince of Asturias, also known as Don Carlos (1545-1568), was the eldest son and heir-apparent of King Philip II of Spain During this period, children of titled or landed nobles were dressed as miniature adults reflecting their particular social status, where children were often married or promised in marriage at very young ages to cement social, political, & economic alliances. The portrait of an heir asserts their position of birth, wealth, & power of the family. From the 16C to the 18C, sumptuary laws dictated what people of an established social status were allowed to wear, such as rich textiles, laces, jewelry, & accessories. It was hoped that these laws would maintain the social order with the aristocracy at the top of the heap. Unfortunately, or fortunately, these mandates were difficult to enforce. 1560s Alonso Sanchez Coello (Spanish painter, ca.1531-1588) Portrait of Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor, King of Hungary and Croatia, King of Bohemia and Archduke of Austria (1552-1612) 1569 Alonso Sanchez Coello (Spanish painter, ca.1531-1588) Infanta Isabella, daughter of King Philip of Spain 1570s Alonso Sanchez Coello (Spanish painter, ca.1531-1588) Infanta Isabella Clara Eugenia (1566–1633) and her monkey 1570s Alonso Sanchez Coello (Spanish painter, ca.1531-1588) Of Austria Archduke Wenceslaus of Austria (1561-1578) He was the young Grand Prior of the Order of Malta. 1575 Alonso Sanchez Coello (Spanish painter, ca.1531-1588) Portrait of Infante Ferdinand of Spain holding a bird 1575 Alonso Sanchez Coello (Spanish painter, ca.1531-1588) Infantas Isabella Clara Eugenia and Catalina Micaela of Spain 1579 Alonso Sanchez Coello (Spanish painter, ca.1531-1588) Infantes Don Diego and Don Felipe Detail 1580 Alonso Sanchez Coello (Spanish painter, ca.1531-1588) The Infant Don Felipe 1580s Attributed to Alonso Sanchez Coello (Spanish painter, ca.1531-1588) Isabella Clara Eugenia and Catharina, Daughters of Philip II, King of Spain. Also portrayed are a bird & dog. 1602 Juan Pantoja de la Cruz (Spanish artist, 1553–1608) Infantin Anna (1601-1666) Ana Maria Mauricia Infanta, daughter of Philip III and Margaret of Austria, was the eldest of 8 children. 1602 Juan Pantoja de la Cruz (Spanish artist, 1553–1608) Infantin Anna (1601-1666) Ana Maria Mauricia Infanta, daughter of Philip III and Margaret of Austria, was the eldest of 8 children. Detail 1602 Juan Pantoja de la Cruz (Spanish artist, 1553–1608) Portrait of the Infanta Ana Mauricia of Austria. (Daughter of Philip III and Margaret of Austria, Styria kings) There were a few exceptions to the adult-clothes-only rule, including toddler dresses, coral teething necklaces & pieces of coral, such as the one being held here, for teething purposes 1604 Juan Pantoja de la Cruz (Spanish artist, 1553–1608) Infant Anna 1607 Juan Pantoja de la Cruz (Spanish artist, 1553–1608) Infantin Maria Anna (1606-1646) 1607 Juan Pantoja de la Cruz (Spanish artist, 1553–1608) The Infantes Don Felipe and Doña Anna 1610 Bartolomé González y Serrano (1564–1627), A 9-year old Anne of Austria, future Queen of France, and her brother, a 5-year old Philip, future Philip IV, the King of Spain portrayed with a small dog 1612 Bartolomé González y Serrano (1564–1627), Alfonso, the son of Philip III of Spain 1612 Bartolomé González y Serrano (1564–1627), Infante Carlos (1607-1632) with his sister, Infanta Maria Anna (1606-1646) 1612 Bartolomé González y Serrano (1564–1627), The children of Philip III of Spain (Ferdinand, Alfonso and Margarita) 1613 Bartolomé González y Serrano (Spanish artist, 1564–1627) Portrait of Alfonso el Caro and Ana Margarita with dog

Don't you just love Jamon!

16th century Circle of Antonis Mor van Dashorst - Portrait of a Spanish Nobleman (National Museum of Fine Arts, Stockholm)

Attention archive photography lovers! There's a new Tumblr in town by National Geographic called FOUND, set up in honour of their 125th anniversary. What better way to celebrate a birthday than to go digging through one of the most interesting photographic archives in the world.... 'FOUND is a cura