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A young scholar, painted by Jan van Scorel. 12 years old in 1531. Don't you wonder who he was and what he accomplished?

Born on this day in 1495, in Alkmaar, Jan van Scorel. Painter and pilgrim: here as one member of the Jerusalem Brotherhood, on pilgrimage to the Holy Sepulchre. He's the one with the dog-eared corner on paper beneath him.

Study in textures and reflections: still life with porcelain bowl and nautilus cup, painted in 1660 by Willem Kalf. Today was his day.

The fetishistic allure of the exotic, perfectly represented in Willem Kalf's amazing global still-life paintings, here from 1662. Today is his day.

The drama of seashells in 1690, as captured by the brilliant Willem Kalf. Today is his day.

Global glories: still life with fab Holbein bowl (that’s Hans), nautilus cup, wanli bowl, carpet, and fruit. And a watch with its key. By Willem Kalf, d. OTD 1693.

Early table still life by Willem Kalf, 1640s. He hasn't peeled the lemon yet! Today is his day.

Before he discovered the joys of painting luxury objects, Willem Kalf went through a Peasant Farm phase. Here's one from 1645.

Absolutely radiant still life with late Ming ginger-jar, 1669. A triumph of materials and their representation, by Willem Kalf. Who else could paint a carpet like that (there is an answer here)?

Died (alas!) on this day in 1693, in Amsterdam, Willem Kalf. Extraordinary still life painter. Here from 1653, drinking horn & lobster. A+ diagonals there! Strangely energetic for painting of dead things.

Women messing with men's heads du jour: Judith about to do in Holofernes, painted in 1554 by Giorgio Vasari of Florence. Today was his day.

It's all about Florence for Giorgio Vasari, born OTD 1511: here, city under siege from the Salone di Clemente VII, Palazzo Vecchio, 1560.

Studiolo of Francesco I de' Medici in the Palazzo Vecchio, Florence, 1572. Decoration partly overseen & even a bit executed by Giorgio Vasari, painter to the Medici, who was born OTD in 1511.

Homage of all the peoples of the world (plus giraffe, & other beasts) to Lorenzo the Magnificent, as painted by Giorgio Vasari. He was born on this day in 1511.

Battle of Lepanto, October 1571. Of course it all happened in neat rows, like any good battle. As envisioned by Giorgio Vasari in the Sala Regia, Vatican. It's his birthday.

The artist at home: Casa Vasari's Hall of the Arts complete w/ various allegories & ancient tales of great painters. All by & for Giorgio Vasari, born on this day in 1511.

Annunciation in 1564. Don't be troubled by odd space, lack of skeletal structure in main figures, etc. Think mannerism! It's Giorgio Vasari, birthday boy.

Ceres on A+ scooter pulled by dragons, off in search of Proserpina. As excellently imagined by Giorgio Vasari of Florence, who was born on this day in 1511.

Born on this day in 1511, in Arezzo, Giorgio Vasari. Painter, architect, and biographer. Incredibly successful at everything! Here by himself in around 1560, showing off his gold chain.

Tiger hunting with Ram Singh II of Kotah, by Lacchiram, 1860. Tiger is not doing well, alas! On #WorldTigerDay