Epiphany: Gold, Frankincense Myrrh – Three Wise Men or Kings
January 6, climax of the Twelve Days of Christmas celebrating The Epiphany, as three wise men or kings came with gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh for Jesus
cultural
Provence: Country Style Pt 3 – Tres Chic, Indiennes
Among the cargoes brought into Marseilles in Provence during the mid seventeenth century were desirable cotton prints from India, which captured the imagination
Salomon de Caus Innovator – Gardens Baroque to Rococo Spirit
17th century garden design reflected formality until Salomon de Caus invented fountains, giving impetus to the idea of the fantastic and bizarre giving pleasure
Books and on Being a Bibliophile – Heartbreak and Happiness
Being a bibliophile is not only about heartbreak, but also happiness too and spending a rainy day reading in bed or on the sofa is certainly my idea of luxury
Progress – Building Social Capital and Mutual Goodwill
Progress hinges not on eradicating mistakes, but on our success at perpetuating them – by making good mistakes we learn to forgive, progress and mature by fault
Diane de Poitiers – Moon Mistress and Woman of Influence
Wearing black and white was a statement of style for the mistress of Henri II of France Diane de Poitiers who adopted Goddess Diana’s crescent moon as a symbol
Eugène Atget: Old Paris – Photographic Portrait of a City
The work of French Photographer Eugéne Atget (1857-1927) has been described as ‘Realism unadorned’ as he meticulously documented the Old Paris he loved so well
Andrea Palladio Architect – In Pursuit of the Perfect House
Despite evolving societies and technology a villa remains a place where one can dwell “under the tent of heaven”. Is Andrea Palladio’s villa the perfect house?
Costume & Style – Fashion Reflects Culture and Growth Pt 3
After the French Revolution a man’s costume was severely elegant worn by dashing gallants in cravats with women emulating the classical purity of Greek statues
Tapestry Tales – Weaving the Threads of Destiny
In Greek Mythology the three Goddesses of Destiny and Fate were recorded in many formats, including tapestries that depicted them weaving the threads of destiny
The Mirror – Mastering Reflection or Eye Catching Deception
Described as the ‘matrix of the symbolic’ the Mirror has accompanied the human quest to know and understand our own identity… who is the fairest of them all?
Opus Anglicanum, English Work – The Beauty of Holiness
Opus anglicanum, or English work is fine needlework carried out for ecclesiastical or secular use on clothing c1100 – c1350 & reflects ‘the beauty of holiness’
Towers – Symbols of Hope and Freedom
Prior to the twentieth century towers were built as symbols to the heights of material wealth and prosperity the western world had yet achieved.
Creating Love Jewellery – Cupid to Cartier
From Cupid to Cartier; Rome to Renaissance, Restoration to Revolution, Regency to Revival, or the Romantics to Retro, for centuries we have created love jewelry
Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux at The Met – The Gift & The Curse
The Passions of Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux on show at The Met NY, reveals the works of exceptionally gifted French sculptural artist during a brilliant brief career
Jeanne Antoinette Marquise de Pompadour – Woman of Influence
French painter François Boucher produced many of the images we have of Jeanne Antoinette, Marquise de Pompadour, official Mistress of King Louis XV of France