Object Notes

Since the Renaissance, keys as well as locks have often been regarded as works of art. The French architect Jacques Androuet Ducereau, who died c. 1585, was the first to publish designs for keys. The art of the locksmith reached its height in France during the first half of the 17th century under King Louis XIII who, in his teens, enjoyed working at the smith's forge and bench.

Since the Renaissance, keys as well as locks have often been regarded as works of art. The French architect Jacques Androuet Ducereau, who died c. 1585, was the first to publish designs for keys. The art of the locksmith reached its height in France during the first half of the 17th century under King Louis XIII who, in his teens, enjoyed working at the smith's forge and bench.

Since the Renaissance, keys as well as locks have often been regarded as works of art. The French architect Jacques Androuet Ducereau, who died c. 1585, was the first to publish designs for keys. The art of the locksmith reached its height in France during the first half of the 17th century under King Louis XIII who, in his teens, enjoyed working at the smith's forge and bench.

Since the Renaissance, keys as well as locks have often been regarded as works of art. The French architect Jacques Androuet Ducereau, who died c. 1585, was the first to publish designs for keys. The art of the locksmith reached its height in France during the first half of the 17th century under King Louis XIII who, in his teens, enjoyed working at the smith's forge and bench.

Since the Renaissance, keys as well as locks have often been regarded as works of art. The French architect Jacques Androuet Ducereau, who died c. 1585, was the first to publish designs for keys. The art of the locksmith reached its height in France during the first half of the 17th century under King Louis XIII who, in his teens, enjoyed working at the smith's forge and bench.

This mask of the ferocious Hindu god Bhairava was created by Newari artists in Nepal. Bhairava is a popular divinity in the Newar community. He also appears as a full figure in the Bhairava collar necklace [1987.470].

This mask represents a boar-headed spirit called Bhuta. Boars are associated with the great Hindu god Vishnu, but Bhuta reflects an ancient nature spirit and was part of rural ritual dances taking place out of doors.

Resting heavily against an upright support, her cocked hip emphasizing the curve of her body, the Lydian queen Omphale is sensual and ideally proportioned; however, Jean-Léon Gérôme also took great pride in accuracy. He took photographs of his model next to the sculpture for which this is a preparatory sketch. The Lydian queen wears the lion skin of Hercules, whom she had bought as a slave.

A self-taught artist, Théodule Ribot began as a decorator of gilded frames, a copyist of old masters, and a sign painter. After he was refused at the Salon in 1859, he exhibited in the studio of his friend Franҫois Bonvin with Henri Fantin-Latour, Antoine Vollon, Alphonse Legros, and James Abbott McNeill Whistler.