An artist known for his depictions of spanking…

Louis Malteste (1862-1928) was a creative French artist, skilled in various forms of art, including engraving, designing, writing, and creating illustrations. It is the last skill that he is best known for today.

He is especially known for his many illustrations of spanking, a form of punishment that was in most parts of the world much more common in the past than today. As you can see in these four illustrations, the people executing the punishment and the people surrounding them seem to derive a lot of pleasure from this activity.

Malteste created these illustrations with a sense of humor, though they were probably also a social commentary on the practice of spanking during his time.

 An artist known for his depictions of spanking… Louis

Rembrandt would have been a great comic book illustrator.

The Three Crosses (1653) by Rembrandt is created by a combination of etching and engraving, something that Rembrandt was incredibly talented at.

It shows Jesus during his crucifixion in the center. He is flanked by the two criminals who were crucified at the same time. The scene is lit by a large light beam that comes from heaven (and you can see the darkness on the left and the right). It provides us with a view of the people witnessing the crucifixion. They include some Roman soldiers on horseback to the left of the center cross. To the left of the cross is the mother of Jesus (Mary) weeping and supported by some other women.

The etching is inspired by Matthew 27:45–54. And Rembrandt created prints of this work at several different stages of the engraving/etching process. So, he basically created an initial version, made some prints, updated the engraving, made more prints, etc. In that way, he could create a dynamic story that consisted of multiple images.

 Rembrandt would have been a great comic book illustrator

Faust's Dream (1852) is a drawing by Carl Gustav Carus (1789-1869), who was not only an artist but also a doctor, naturalist, scientist, and psychologist.

He captures here a scene from a folk legend about Doctor Faust, an alchemist, astrologer and magician from the German Renaissance. The story deals with knowledge-hungry Faust, who made a pact with the Devil, exchanging his soul for unlimited knowledge and worldly pleasures.

We can see him asleep in his chair, with a devil-ish figure behind him and a skeleton on the wall on the left. It is hard to see what he is exactly dreaming about, but if you look at the white ethereal figures in the background, we may see some figures involved in magical activities.

I am curious to hear what you all make of this drawing!

 What a dream! Faust's Dream (1852) is a drawing by Carl

The themes of the work by Edgar Degas (1834-1917) were considered controversial, but people immediately admired his superb drawing skills which formed the basis for his many dancers.

Dancers in Pink (1876) is a beautiful impression of a group of young ballerinas in pink costumes.

 The themes of the work by Edgar Degas (1834-1917) were

The Portrait of Mademoiselle Charlotte du Val d'Ognes by Marie Denise Villers was first attributed to Jacques-Louis David.

It was considered a great painting until it was pointed out in 1951 that this was painted by a woman. Suddenly, people saw all sorts of faults in the work.. The woman in this painting is drawing in a room of the Louvre and the broken window behind her is a great piece of skill, but it is also a bit unclear why it is there.

 The Portrait of Mademoiselle Charlotte du Val d'Ognes by

Albrecht Dürer was one of the most talented artists ever. His Young Hare (1502) is an incredible achievement in realistically painting a living animal with its different textures and shades.

He painted it in watercolor and it is on display in the Albertina Museum in Vienna.

 Albrecht Dürer was one of the most talented artists ever

If you want to learn how to draw better, it is worth studying the works of Albrecht Dürer, one of the best draftsmen ever,

Praying Hands (1508), a pen-and-ink drawing, is a stunning example of his talents.

It shows the hands of a man, folded in prayer. And keep in mind that this was just a study for one of his altarpiece paintings. He made at least 18 drawings of details in this altarpiece, all masterpieces in themselves, though this may be the best one.

In the end, this drawing has become more popular than the altarpiece itself, known as the Heller Altarpiece. The central panel of this altarpiece was destroyed by a fire, but a detailed copy of it has survived.

 If you want to learn how to draw better, it is worth

Demon is an intriguing drawing by the Hungarian painter and graphic artist Mihály Zichy (1826-1907).

It shows how a winged demon has come down to meet the young woman. She seems to give in to the demands of this demon, raising her left hand up in the air, while holding his wing with his right hand.

The demon looks at her with his big eyes, and has wrapped his arms around her. You can see one of his hands (with extremely long fingers) on her right shoulder.

While I don't know the precise story behind this artwork, I get the feeling that things are not looking good for the young woman. The tall demon seems to be in control of her, and that is not boding well I'm afraid.

Mihály Zichy was an artist who also made a lot of book illustrations. And he a love for the dark side, as he more often painted demons, devils, and other gruesome scenes during this career.

 A Demonic embrace. Demon is an intriguing drawing by the

During his first six-month tour of Italy, J.M.W. Turner filled 23 sketchbooks with impressions from Rome. Among them were several ones of the Colosseum. This trip would have a major impact on Turner.

 During his first six-month tour of Italy, J.M.W. Turner

At least for Albrecht Dürer, who made extensive drawings before starting with a painting. These Praying Hands (1508) show his enormous talent as an artist.

 Preparation is key! At least for Albrecht Dürer, who made

The watercolor studies by Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528) are masterpieces in their own right!

Just look at these two Squirrels (1492). You can almost touch the tail.

He must have given them a lot of hazelnuts to pose for him that long..

 The watercolor studies by Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528) are

To not forget her knight, she draws his shadow on the wall...

The knight in The Shadow (1909) by Edmund Leighton is about to leave with the ship in the background, and his shadow will probably be her most tangible memory of him for the weeks to come.