It's also worth mentioning that in an age of widespread malnutrition and infectious disease, moderate plumpness would have been a sign of good health, not just wealth.
Actually the women in the Rubens painting look pretty good to me. They're heavier than my ideal, but not by much. I'd rather spend an evening with one of them than with one of the stick-thin models that we're supposed to find attractive nowadays.
And there we differ: I wouldn't seek out either; I'd definitely prefer the Page 3 variety of build. For non-UKers, that means 'glamour' but (for me) of the non-siliconed variety. If you need further clarification, check out my Gallery and Gallery 2. (Shameless plug to the curious.)
Speaking of which, and à propos of my stroll along the quay of impossible dreams each day: there's a boat in right now with the name
Vogue acros the back; I think that's what it is, but the final 'e' is hidden by the sliding doorway onto the deck, so I'm guessing... if it's there this evening, with the rear panel complete, I'll try to snatch it before I get accosted by Conde Nast guards. Of course, it might have nothing to do with that body at all - probably hasn't.
Rob C
