All posts by Phil Gibbons

The Enigmatic Legacy of Jan Vermeer: From Obscurity to Artistic Mastery

February 18, 2025 Phil Gibbons Leave a comment

Today, no more than thirty-seven paintings are attributed to Jan Vermeer. Still, he remains one of the greatest artists who ever lived.

Burial Marker for Vermeer, Oude Kirk, Delft

The Astronomer in the Altaussee salt mine

Two paintings at 2023 Rijksmuseum exhibit

A Girl Reading a Letter by an Open Window, before restoration

This podcast explores the life and works of Dutch master Jan Vermeer. It delves into Vermeer’s enigmatic biography, his meticulous artistic process, and the rediscovery of his genius centuries after his death. The episode covers Vermeer’s early life in Delft, his marriage, and his struggle to support a large family through art and dealing. It traces the journey of several of Vermeer’s most famous paintings, including “The Milkmaid” and “Girl with a Pearl Earring,” through history and various collections. The podcast also touches on the impact of historical events like wars on the fate of Vermeer’s works and the artist’s enduring legacy in the art world.

0:00 Intro: Jan Vermeer’s enigmatic life and legacy

5:30 Vermeer’s early life and artistic beginnings

16:45 Vermeer’s artistic style and meticulous process

28:05 St. Praxedis: Vermeer’s earliest surviving work

33:45 The Procuress: Vermeer’s dramatic stylistic shift

39:20 A Girl Asleep: Symbolism in everyday scenes

44:55 The Milkmaid: Dutch appreciation for Vermeer

50:35 Landscapes: The Little Street and View of Delft

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The Life And Art of Dutch Master Jan Vermeer, Volume Seven, Episode 9 (Part Two)

February 18, 2025 Phil Gibbons Leave a comment

Today, no more than thirty-seven paintings are attributed to Jan Vermeer. Still, he remains one of the greatest artists who ever lived.

Young Woman Seated at a Virginal (Leiden Collection)

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Podcast Book and Music Information and Purchase

The Life and Art of Dutch Master Jan Vermeer, Book and Music Information

February 17, 2025 Phil Gibbons Leave a comment

The books used to compose this podcast included:

“Vermeer: The Complete Paintings,” by Walter Liedtke and

“Vermeer,” by Roberta D’Adda.

The music used in the part one intro and part two outro was:

“Music Box,” by Brian Bolger.

The music in the part one outro and part two intro was:

“Harpsichord Fugue,” by Sir Cubworth

Podcasts

Espionage Agents Christopher Boyce and Daulton Lee, AKA the Falcon and the Snowman, Volume Seven, Episode 8 (Part One)

January 9, 2025 Phil Gibbons Leave a comment

Arrested for selling secrets to the Russians, their incarceration and Christopher Boyce’s subsequent escape from a Federal prison was headline news. Ultimately, the Falcon and the Snowman spent decades behind bars.

Christopher Boyce on Australian 60 Minutes

Christopher Boyce, after his rearrest in the state of Washington.

Timothy Hutton, who played Boyce in “The Falcon and the Snowman.”

Sean Penn, who played Daulton Lee in the “The Falcon and the Snowman.”

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Espionage Agents Christopher Boyce and Daulton Lee, AKA the Falcon and the Snowman, Volume Seven, Episode 8 (Part Two)

January 9, 2025 Phil Gibbons Leave a comment

Christopher Boyce, testifying before Congress, 1985

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Podcast Book and Music Information and Purchase

Espionage Agents Christopher Boyce and Daulton Lee AKA the Falcon and the Snowman, Book and Music Information

January 9, 2025 Phil Gibbons Leave a comment

The books used to compose this podcast included:

“The Falcon and the Snowman,” and “The Flight of the Falcon,” both by Robert Lindsey, and

“American Sons,” by Christopher and Cait Mills Boyce and Vince Font.

The music used in the Part One intro and Part Two outro was:

Babylon – Disco Ultralounge by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license.https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100314

Artist: http://incompetech.com/

Disco Knights by Quincas Moreiras

Podcasts

Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States. Volume Seven, Episode Seven (Part One)

December 3, 2024 Phil Gibbons Leave a comment

Theodore Roosevelt: Nobel Laureate, Medal of Honor Winner, Political Progressive, Executor of the Panama Canal, Best Selling Author, Conservationist and always the Man in the Arena.

Roosevelt, in store bought frontier wardrobe with Tiffany silver knife

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Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States. Volume Seven, Episode Seven (Part Two)

December 3, 2024 Phil Gibbons Leave a comment

Theodore Roosevelt: Nobel Laureate, Medal of Honor Winner, Political Progressive, Executor of the Panama Canal, Best Selling Author, Conservationist and always the Man in the Arena.

Theodore Roosevelt Home known as Sagamore Hill, Oyster Bay, NY

Roosevelt assassin, John Schrank, under arrest

Theodore Roosevelt Grave, Oyster Bay, Long Island

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Podcast Book and Music Information and Purchase

Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States. Book and Music Information

December 3, 2024 Phil Gibbons Leave a comment

The books used in composing this podcast included:

The Theodore Roosevelt biographical trilogy, by Edmund Morris.

“When Trumpets Call: Theodore Roosevelt After the White House,” by Patricia O’Toole.

“Theodore Roosevelt and the Assassin,” by Gerard Helferich.

The intro to both parts one and two is “Bravura,” by the US Army Band.

The outro to both parts one and two is “Fallen Soldier,” by Biz Baz Studio.

Podcasts

The Brief and Tragic Reign of Maximillian I, Emperor of Mexico. Volume Seven, Episode Six (Part One)

October 17, 2024 Phil Gibbons Leave a comment

Like something out of a fairy tale, in 1864, a European power installed an Austrian nobleman as Maximillian I, Emperor of Mexico, ultimately resulting in tragedy, madness and execution.