I generally try to avoid overstocking this blog with all the bizarre anomalies that can be found on the 'net, but since I often compare TYWKIWDBI to a Victorian "cabinet of curiosities," its appropriate today that I join Wikipedia in recognizing the Chamber of Art and Curiosities created by Archduke Ferdinand II of Austria in the 16th century. His collections are still maintained, through the auspices of the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna.
Among the exhibits is the famous portrait of Vlad Tepes, and the one embedded above, which depicts Gregor Baci:
According to tradition, the man portrayed is the Hungarian nobleman Gregor Baci, who was healed after having a lance pierce his right eye during a tournament. In the inventory of 1621 he is identified as an Hungarian hussar, who suffered this injury while fighting against the Turks. In the case of portraits of unusual people the interest of the collector, Archduke Ferdinand II, was not focussed on the painting as a work of art but rather on the person portrayed, his special destiny and his deeds.
Another who suffered a lance through the eye was Henri II of France during a tournament. He didn't fare as well.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.haciendapub.com/jneuro1.html