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During the Renaissance, if it was quality marble, it was ground up into a coarse dust that was used as a pigment, a textural additive for paintings and reliefs. Some pressed it into chalk and crayon-like pastels. It’s the main ingredient in gesso canvas preparatory gloss and both Marmorino and Venetian plaster. If a poorer quality marble, it was used a composite stone (grout, mortar, early concrete) or paving additive. Stucco treatments were even made with it. It even had some medicinal applications, due to the fact that it contain calcium carbonate and other minerals.

If she grew hard, it was because her later sorrows revived and embittered her memories of the past, and these in turn made the present more galling and exasperating. When a sapling is struck by lightning, but not destroyed, it very rarely grows into a tree without bearing upon its bark some sign of ravage; and, in the wind that blows through its leaves, it surely sometimes feels the burning breath that scarred it in its youth.

Everything I know? Oh dear. I’d have to write a book, I’m afraid. Instead, I’ll give you 10 tips on fun ways to celebrate his birthday.

No food is not an option. Lafayette was never one to shy away from a meal. Many of his funniest anecdotes revolve around food (the time he begged the American officers not to eat him for dinner, the time he showed up at what was to be his American HQ and started eating and his host thought him incredibly rude to start without the Marquis…who she was convinced was not him because he was too young). If you’re feeling especially accurate, include ham in your meal planning. Washington gifted Lafayette some of his Virginian ham after the Frenchman had returned to his native country and Laf was always excited to receive it. If ham’s not an option, any American food will do. The Lafayette family often served American dishes to their guests…to the disappointment of those hoping to experience a little French cuisine.

Feel free to get turnt up. Drinking was a normal aspect of 18th century dining, but Laf was no stranger to excess. He drank ale when other options weren’t available, but most of the time he seems to have preferred wine (especially Madeira while in America because it was available and Washington’s favorite…but it’s incredibly hard to track down).  He and his entourage drank Jefferson’s wine cellar practically dry during his 1824-1825 tour of the U.S. Laf also believed copious amounts of wine was good for his health–or, that was his excuse anyway. If you’re of legal drinking age…go for it.

Dance! Laf, as we all know, had two left feet according to his acquaintances in France. But in the U.S., no one seems to have noticed! As far as I’ve read, Lafayette wasn’t bad at all in the minds of the Americans who hosted the dinners, balls, and parties he attended. In fact, a number of ladies were actually quite pleased with his performance and manners at these events. Which brings me to my next suggestion.

Flirting is allowed and encouraged. Hey…you’re the one who wanted to know authentic ways to channel your inner Lafayette on his birthday. If you want to get into the spirit of things and happen to be at an acceptable social gathering, a little charm here and there with those who’ve piqued your interest will fit right into the theme. Just be respectful and remember: consent is the only acceptable course of action.

Overdo your enthusiasm for America. Take a moment to be excited that America exists and be incredibly proud of her achievements. Even if you’re not American. Perhaps especially if you’re not American. Definitely pay some serious homage to George Washington. You should probably drink to the United States and give a brief speech about how much America’s success means to you. Go on. It’s essential! Do it for the aesthetic.

Take a moment to appreciate your significant other. Chances are, if someone’s agreed to be a long-term part of your life, they’re pretty special. Adrienne de Lafayette was one of the most loyal women who has ever graced the planet with her presence…and Laf found out the hard way that life without her was a tragedy. Give your loved one an extra kiss for being awesome enough to stick by you through thick and thin.

Stay away from boats. While Hamilton fans love depicting Lafayette heroically sailing in on a war frigate brandishing a sword like a champ, the more accurate depiction would be a very green Frenchman puking over the side. Stay on land while you celebrate.

Be friendly to everyone you meet. It’s just for one day–it won’t kill you, I promise. A little charm here and there is good for the soul…and this is Lafayette we’re talking about! This is a guy who, as a Frenchman and an American general, was excited to see an acquaintance of his from London on the British side during a prisoner exchange. If you want to get into the spirit, challenge yourself to see an opportunity for bridge-building in every introduction you encounter. Have fun.

Roleplay suggestions. Favor your left leg. Find the nearest horse and become friends with it. Text a bunch of your friends and when they don’t respond in five minutes, send them three more texts about how you value their friendship and how much silence irritates you. Locate a paternal-looking older man and adopt his as your surrogate father against his will. Find a confined, cold, dark, damp space and dream about how everything will get better once you’re welcomed to America by all the people you helped. The possibilities are endless……..

• Pair of Shoes.

Date: 1750's

a robespierre in his natural habitat

[redraw of this photo vvv]

Portions of a Field Armor, Jacob Halder, 1585, Art Institute of Chicago: Arms, Armor, Medieval, and Renaissance

During the late Middle Ages and Renaissance, some of the finest armorers worked exclusively for royal patrons in the workshops set up to meet their needs. In 1511 King Henry VIII of England established such a workshop at Greenwich Palace outside London, which produced outstanding armor for the English court for over a century. It was staffed largely by German craftsmen, among them Jacob Halder, who was master workman at Greenwich when this half-armor was produced around 1588–90. Made for a high-ranking nobleman, it features crisply decorated bands of etching and gilding and a silhouette mimicking fashionable dress. The shape of the breastplate, broad at the shoulders, narrow at the waist, and dipped at the belly, imitates the peasecod (peapod-shaped) cut of a gentleman’s doublet of the same period. Despite the lavish decoration and exaggerated shape, this armor, intended for the field of battle, was capable of withstanding musket fire. Indeed, it was commissioned in 1588, at the very moment England was preparing for invasion by the Spanish Armada. But to the fashionable noble who commissioned this harness, demonstrating wealth and status was as important as protecting life and limb. George F. Harding Collection Size: H. (mounted with arm defenses): 61 cm (30 in.) Wt. 39 lb. 10 oz. (17.7 kg) Medium: Steel, brass, gilding, leather, and silk velvet textile

Decided to try and make tarot card illustrations of Ancient Greek deities as each archetype.

Is it because of this post? The short answer is that we have very few portraits of SJ from when he was alive, and/or that are confirmed to be him.

These are the rare ones that fulfill both of these conditions:

The first one is a pastel done by Angélique Louise Verrier, the daughter of SJ's landlady. It is known as Le Bas pastel, because Elisabeth Le Bas bought it some time after being released from prison (it is said that she sold her wedding dress for it). Here is more about it (in French).

The second one is attributed to Jacques-Louis David.

The third one is by Pierre-Paul Prud'hon, done in 1793.

These are the ones that could be compared, because we are fairly certain that they depict Saint-Just and that he (probably) sat for those (although who knows; I heard the David one is not sure in that regard). The famous bust by David d'Angers was done based on Le Bas pastel, so it is similar enough:

This one is not confirmed to be SJ; it is mainly associated with him because of the high cravat, but realistically, it could be anyone. I included it because this is the only source for "Saint-Just had an earring" belief:

But, like... It doesn't mean it's SJ.

All in all, there is a lot of variety in portraits because not many are done during Saint-Just's life, nor are confirmed to be him (not to mention, there are not many where it's assumed that he sat for a portrait).