doing it like rabbits

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Officieren van de Oude Schutterij in een landschap (Officers of the Old Militia in a landscape) by Claes Jacobsz. van der Heck, circa 1613

oil on panel, height 150cm x width 173cm
signed "C. Heck fecit" vertically on the end of a fallen log the militia men are sitting on in the lower right quadrant.

link

This is a unique among Dutch militia paintings. A few Dutch Militia Paintings are out of doors but this is the only one I'm aware of is set within a landscape (as opposed having a landscape as a background). Militias were formed to defend the towns and cities and the city of Alkmaar can be seen in the distant background.

Some militia's had their portraits painted in front of the Doelen (the militia headquarters). The reason for the setting could be that the militia went to the countryside to target shoot whereas other militias might target shoot to the city walls.

There is a house in the center of the picture and to its side is a cart/carriage. Another house is in the distance on the right. In the distance is the Sint-Laurenskerk (Saint Laurence) church.

The foreground has 17 men, the militia members. One of the foreground men gesturing to the left holds keys in his other hand.  A man pouring a drink on the right and several of the men in the foreground hold glasses. In front of the house appears to be dishes on the ground being licked clean by a dog. Many Dutch Militia Paintings were set during a meal with the members around a table. (like this one also from 1613 by Jan Tengnagel which also includes an ostentatious pouring of a drink.) The militia member sitting on the far left appears to have a dagger behind his back while, in contrast, the Tengnagel painting shows several men with swords.

The painter, Claes Jacobsz. van der Heck,  included a self-portrait of himself apparently as the man standing next to a woman in the midground in front of the house. In the background are many extraneous people (I count 15) which is uncommon for a militia painting. The painting has an assortment of sheep (11),  dogs (I count 8), and birds (including a peacock standing on the fence).

Also unique among Dutch militia paintings, in the upper left quadrant are 2 rabbits having sex :

detail of the center left section

an attempt to show the size and scale of the painting

movie notes : Man of Steel

spoiler alert below the fold

Apropos of Tom Hanks being called the most trusted man in America

Apropos of Tom Hanks being claimed to be the most trusted man in America I present this :

Tom Hanks and Dan Aykroyd rapping during the end credits of the movie Dragnet (1987).  A quick search and I find its own music video including extensive choreographed and synchronized dancing.

Note Tom Hanks going for the 1980s style of shouting out the lyrics.

Performed by Dan Aykroyd and Tom Hanks
Featuring Glenn Hughes and Pat Thrall
Written by Peter Aykroyd, Dan Aykroyd and Pat Thrall
produced by J.B. Moore and Robert Ford

The lyrics to City of Crime :

Dan Aykroyd : This is the city. It's a city of crime. My name is Friday. I carry a badge.

Dan Aykroyd : 3:15 a.m., Thursday, January 15. It was chilly that morning in the City of Angels. 

On this particular occasion we happened to witness a pagan* ritual in progress.

Dan Aykroyd : See that, Streebek? We’re just in time

We have stumbled into a major crime

Tom Hanks :  They've got the girl all fright

Now that’s not nice

I think she is the subject of a sacrifice

Dan Aykroyd : Buddy, we’re putting this party on ice

Tom Hanks :  But first you know we really ought to read 'em their rights

Dan Aykroyd : Read ‘em their rights

Read ‘em their rights

Tom Hanks : 

Well, I’m here tonight to rap about your rights

Cause right now you’re in trouble

Don’t have to say nothing at all, you all got two calls

And you’d better make ‘em on the double

Pagans : 

This is a city of crime

Don’t step out of line

This is a city of crime

You’d better be praying your judge is kind

Dan Aykroyd : 

You’re a dangerous mob and it is our job

To bust you all for being violent

While we are here let’s state it clear

Tom Hanks :  You have the right to remain silent!

Pagan : 

Well, excuse me copper, Mr. Crimestopper,

What is wrong with what we’re doing?

We just like to dance in our goatskin pants

Around this ancient ruin

Tom Hanks :  Now it's not so funny,

That it costs big money

If you ever have to hire a lawyer

Dan Aykroyd :  It’s my duty to inform you

And my pleasure to warn you

Tom Hanks :  We’ll provide one for ya! Huh!

Pagans : 

This is a city of crime

Don’t step out of line

This is a city of crime

You're looking at seven to nine

Dan Aykroyd :  Now you know what you’ve been doing is a serious crime

Tom Hanks :  And you'll probably be doing some serious time

Dan Aykroyd :  In case you might be worried about the friends you lose

Tom Hanks :  At least they get to see you on the evening news

Dan Aykroyd :  It’s a new sensation

Tom Hanks :  We go down to the station

Dan Aykroyd :  You’re going to answer some questions

Tom Hanks :  And have some refreshments

Dan Aykroyd : What is your full name? What were you doing on January 15th of this year? All we want is the truth, mister. What were you doing in the location in question? What is the purpose of your pagan organization?

Pagan : Whoa! You can't pin nothing on me copper!

Well, excuse me

Excuse me

Don’t use or abuse or refuse me

It’s no joke, I’m broke

My rights I can and will invoke

I’m homely, and I’m lonely

But the state cannot disown me

It’s ain't funny

I might want money

To take home to my honey

Pagans : 

This is a city of crime

Don’t step out of line

This is a city of crime

Where an [something indistinct] is hard to find

[the movie end credits version ends here with the sound of a jail cell slammed closed]

Dan Aykroyd : 

In case you don't agree

With my methodology

I like to do things my way

Tom Hanks : Don't get memory loss 

About who's the boss

Dan Aykroyd :  Don't forget my name is

Everyone : Friday!

Dan Aykroyd :  I'm the man of the hour

Tom Hanks :  The tower of power

Dan Aykroyd :  I'm the arm of the law

Tom Hanks :  The very last straw

Dan Aykroyd :  I'm on the side of the right

Tom Hanks :  A Trojan white knight

Dan Aykroyd :  If you get me uptight I am

Tom Hanks :  A frightening sight

Dan Aykroyd :  I'm as strong as the army

Tom Hanks :  Nothing can't harm me

Dan Aykroyd :  Coming down like a hammer

Everyone : Get ready for the slammer

[sound of a jail cell slammed closed]


*"pagan" the video informs stands for People Against Goodness And Normalcy

movie trivia game

Here's the game : describe a movie in a way that is specific enough for most people to recognize it but generally enough that it can also describe another movie.  Ideally, the second movie is radically different than the first (ie. referencing sequels is cheating).


example one
Description : a young man leaves home and goes far, far away to save a community under siege by an old guy and some monsterous creatures trying to take over and along the way gets wise advise from a little green guy.
Answer : Star Wars
Alternative answer : the Muppets (2011) 
a young man (Luke Skywalker/Walter) leaves home and goes far, far away to save a (Ewok/Muppet) community under siege by an old guy (The Emperor/Tex Richman) and his lackeys (Stormtroopers/henchmen muppets) and his monsters (bounty hunters/henchmen muppets) trying to take over and along the way gets wise advise from a little green guy (Yoda/Kermit).


example two

Description : Milla Jovovich plays a peculiar woman who doesn't seem to understand the prevailing customs, she shows up to help this guy (and he helps her) and she thinks she is a savior for the cause  all among a barrage of violence. 

Answer : The Fifth Element

Alternative answer : Messenger the Story of Joan of Arc

Milla Jovovich plays a peculiar woman (Leeloo/Joan of Arc) who doesn't seem to understand the prevailing customs, she shows up to help this guy (Korben Dallas/the Dauphin)  (and he helps her) and she thinks she is a savior for the cause  all among a barrage of violence (the Mangalores/the Hundred Years' War). 


example three

Description : An archaeologist will go any distance to find ancient relics and along the way he climbs in ancient ruins, befriends a small boy, meets a girl and fights an evil villain and his henchmen.

Answer : Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

Alternative answer : Stargate

An archaeologist (Indiana Jones/Dr. Daniel Jackson) will go any distance to find ancient relics and along the way he climbs in ancient ruins, befriends a small boy (Short Round/egyptian kid), meets a girl and fights an evil villain (Thugee high Priest/Ra) and his henchmen (Thugee cultists/animal head guards).


Example of what not to do : 
Description : a guy goes away to fulfill a task, faces a challenge where his actions decide the fate of others, and in the process overcomes something.
Answer : it might be easier to count the movies that don't match the description.

Tatting With Style

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Apparently, a tatting book won't show you how to tattoo a teardrop under someone's eye with style.

Propaganda posters from the Spanish Civil War

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Mes Homes!
Mes Armes!
Mes Municions!
(translated from Catalan : More men! More arms! More ammunition!)

The UGT on the armband refers to the Unión General de Trabajadores (General Union of Workers) which was usually associated with Partit Socialista Obrer Espanyol (PSOE - Spanish Socialist Workers Party) and the PSU in the corner is Partit Socialista Unificat aka the political party PSUC (Partit Socialista Unificat de Catalunya) which was part of the Comintern and Stalinist (in the sense that they supported and were supported by Stalin but also in the sense that they killed people who disagreed with them). This mainly Catalan political party didn't put the Spanish flag or the Catalan flag on their poster but the hammer and sickle (it is the same as the USSR flag except for lacking the star) :

PSO PCC USC PCP Ingresseu al Partit Socilista Unificat (Enters the Unified Socialist Party)

PSUC (Partit Socialista Unificat de Catalunya) was formed in 1936 by the merger of :

1. the PSO was the Partit Socialista Obrer (Party of Socialist Workers)
2. the PCC was the Partit Comunista de Catalunya (Communist Party of Catalonia)
3. the USC was the Unió Socialista de Catalunya (Socialist Union of Catalonia) and
4. the PCP was the Partit Català Proletari (Proletarian Catalan Party).

The bottom left reads "editat del sindicat de dibuixants professionals UGT" (published UGT union of professional illustrators). The bottom right is something indistinct and "…Barcelona." Signed "Rafel Tona del S.D.P." (SDP = Sindicat de Dibuixants Professionals).

The Clenched Fist Salute : the Nazis weren't the only ones convincing people to make silly hand gestures in public.

boles, la cinquena columna (Bowls, the fifth column)

I don't understand this one. "Boles" is Catalan for "balls." (and it is Spanish for "bowls", the noun not the verb, which would make even less sense.) Are balls reactionary?  Bocce ball is considered fascist? Is it that the 5th column is snowballing? The first guy with a crown represents royalists, the second person has a rosary to represent Catholics and the rest I'm not sure. Are the towers supposed to be radio towers, telephone lines, a goal, or what?

Note the red seal at the lower left that says "department d'agit propaganda del…" (Department of Agitation Propaganda of [PSUC]…). At some point, propagandists continually debased facts so badly and so often that the term "propaganda" became derogatory and so people stopped labeling propaganda as propaganda.

Of the Nationalists factions, the Carlists used a Cross of Burgundy flag and Franco adopted the Falangists' symbol of a group of arrows with a yoke. The Nazi swastika doesn't seem to have been used extensively by the Nationalists. From what I've seen even the planes of the German Condor Legion were not marked with the swastika. I have seen a photo of Franco's car and it did have a swastika on it on at least one occasion and more importantly Franco and the Nationalists received support from both Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy including German airplanes and thousands of Italian soldiers. The swastika was not the symbol the Nationalists most associated with themselves but their opponents certainly associated them with it.

Venus Dictator in Furs. Painting by Paco Ibera

Franco in furs like Bette Davis.  He wears his Miss España sash in the traditional Spanish colors (as opposed to the red, yellow & purple of the Republican flag) and on his chest is a maltese cross (an order of knighthood perhaps? – this forum leads me to the Grand Cross of the Order of San Fernando). Below the cross is a pin of the symbol of the Falangists. His hand rests on a cane while his other hand holds his hat; a garrison cap with a gold tassel. He tries to strike a regal pose. Franco alone takes up nearly half of the image.

On the lower left is a cartouche with Franco's well known and brief declaration of the end of the Spanish Civil War. In a Roman font it declares in large type "La Guerra ha terminado" (The war is over).  There is probably no connection between this and John Lennon's song "War is Over."

The cartouche also says "Parte oficial de guerra. Correspondiente al dia 1º de Abril de 1939 - III Año Triunfal." (Official report of the war. Corresponding to 1st day of April 1939 - Triumphal Year III.) "Triumphal Year III" is itself propaganda, imitating Mussolini's declaration of 1922 (the year Mussolini came to power) as Year One. Declaring a Triumphal Year and Triumphal Year II without being completely triumphant doesn't seem ideal.

"En el día de hoy cautivo y desarmado el ejército rojo, han alcanzado las tropas nacionales sus últimos objectivos militares. Burgos, 1 de abril de 1939 Ano de la Victoria" (On this day, with a captive and disarmed Red Army, the national troops have reached their final military objectives. Burgos – a city in Northern Spain, 1 April 1939 Year of the Victory.)

At the top of the cartouche is a new Spanish coat of arms that harkens back to the royal coat of arms used from 1469 to 1516. Behind the black bird (eagle of Saint John) is a ribbon reading "Una, Grande, Libre" (one, great, free). Declaring Spain to be united was a fiction and free is not what one most associates with a dictator.

At the bottom left of the cartouche is the seal of Franco reading "cuartel general del Generalisimo, estado mayor" (General barracks of the Generalisimo, major staff).

The flags in the background include :

several red and yellow Spanish National flags (they appear to be civil flags without the royal seal)

several Falangist flags (red-black-red with the Falangists symbol in red on the black stripe)

several appear to be the Carlists' Cross of Burgundy (a jagged red cross on a white field)

one Spanish Morocco's Royal standard (green flag with a yellow pentagram)

I think, one Flag of the Khaliph of the Spanish Protectorate of Morocco (green flag with a yellow star of David) although it may be the same as above.

There are no swastikas, nor any acknowledgement of the German or Italian forces that fought in the war.

The men in the background march : some on horses, some wounded, some dressed like beduins, some in berets, some in helmets, some giving a roman salute (ie a fascist salute), some carrying flags, and some oddly shaped aircraft in the upper right (Savoia-Marchetti SM.81 without the fixed landing gear or JU-52s?).

Dos and Don'ts of do it yourself propaganda : 

1. Do use Repetition! Repetition! Repetition! Repetition!
2. Do keep in mind it is more than just words : the black smear behind the guy in the white shirt towards the upper left corner probably exists only to make it a better composition.
3. Do sign it! (although, one might recommend signing it in a legible way. The top one is signed by Solá, the second by Rafel, the third one is signed by Lorenzo Goñi; the fourth is signed, I think, in the lower right corner by Paco Ibera.) 
4. Do stake out the idea that there are only two sides (the real world is more complex. Keep in mind that this black and white attitude and the tendency to simply lie about the other side is among the reasons why many people don't like or respect propaganda. So, don't do this if you want to be respected.).  The Franco declaration suggests that there were only 2 sides and that because the officials of the Republic surrendered then people would think there was no one in opposition.  Most people will accept the rigid dichotomy instead of thinking how many people fall out side the binary choice – like Joan Pujol who was imprisoned by and disliked both the Nationalist government and the Republican government.
5. Don't call it propaganda as some people will simply shrug and think "Ah, another person who feels the need to lie or mislead or be blindly partisan to support their cause."
6. When showing your side, do keep them blocky, stylized, simplified and in unison. When showing the other side then details become acceptable to make them grotesque and unappealing. Although, I would point out that the Nationalists are depicted as being happy; in stark contrast to most figures in propaganda. The other posters are using the blocky, stylized, simplified figures in unison as a symbol of power. They could portray their side as happy little smurfs or even happy little barbarians but people know when they are happy and propaganda that tells them they are happy when they aren't would not be effective. 

For more propaganda see the propaganda tag. See also the post Propaganda Posters from the Spanish Civil War Part 2 focusing on Francisco Franco and Propaganda Posters from the Spanish Civil War Part 3 :  a contrast or a consensus?.