guild silver
Willem van Mieris is a Dutch portrait painter who painted historical and genre scenes. He worked in the tradition of the Leiden art school founded by Gerard Dou.
Willem van Mieris became a member of Leiden's Guild of Artists of St. Luke's in 1683, after studying at his father's studio. In 1687, 1698, 1704 and 1708, he was the administrator of the Guild, and in 1699 he was elected its president.
In 1694, van Meeris, together with the painters Jacob Toorenvliet and Carel de Moor, founded the Leidse Tekenacademie, which existed in Leiden until 1736. Around this time Willem van Mieris became blind and stopped painting.
Richard Avedon was an American photographer and artist known for his iconic portraits and fashion photography.
Avedon began his career as a photographer in the late 1940s, working as a freelance photographer for magazines such as Harper's Bazaar and Vogue. He soon became known for his distinctive style, which was characterized by his use of simple, uncluttered backgrounds and his ability to capture the essence of his subjects.
Throughout his career, Avedon photographed some of the most famous people of his time, including Marilyn Monroe, Andy Warhol, and The Beatles. He was also known for his fashion photography, and his work appeared in many fashion magazines, including Harper's Bazaar and Vogue.
Avedon's work was often controversial, as he challenged traditional notions of beauty and fashion. He was known for his willingness to push boundaries, and his work was often seen as a reflection of the social and political issues of his time.
Today, Avedon is regarded as one of the most important photographers of the 20th century, and his work continues to inspire artists and photographers around the world.
