A big naked guy is shown sitting around with a bunch of lions in Rubens' over-the-top painting. Meet Daniel, a favorite counselor to the Persian king Darius. Daniel has made some powerful enemies which is how he got here. We’ll find out who ends up being the lions’ breakfast and how paintings like this allowed Rubens to become a successful diplomat.

We’ll also hear about how a painting the owners thought was just a copy and maintenance headache became one of the most highly praised pieces in the Gallery’s collection.

See the artwork at https://alonglookpodcast.com/daniel-in-the-lions-den-by-sir-peter-paul-rubens/

SHOW NOTES

“A Long Look” theme is “Ascension” by Ron Gelinas

Episode theme is Fugue in G minor, “Little”, BWV 578, composed by Johann Sebastian Bach and performed by the Skidmore College Orchestra. Courtesy of musopen.org

Sir Peter Paul Rubens information https://www.nga.gov/collection/artist-info.1847.html

Daniel in the Lions’ Den information https://www.nga.gov/collection/art-object-page.50298.html#overview

National Zoo Lion Cam

Reviewing Committee information https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reviewing_Committee_on_the_Export_of_Works_of_Art

Slow Art Day

Recommended Reading

Master of Shadows: The Secret Diplomatic Career of the Painter Peter Paul Rubens by Mark Lamster

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