“It occurs to me that these paintings, etc., are what essentially amounts to tv or movies (for their time)...iow, they were meant to be studied and analyzed - to a far more serious degree than I ever realized before. If for nothing else, thanks for that Dan & (((everyone))).”
Yes, I agree and I thank Dan & everyone for pouring your attention into these threads. Some years ago my daughter took an art appreciation class and I learned EVERYTHING in a painting is intentional and has a purpose. Knowing the cultural setting of the painter and his patron and the specific reason for it makes everything clearer. Artists also put in ‘Easter eggs’, surprises for attentive and discerning viewers.
That’s it! I like hunting (& finding!) them.