Adaptation of Leonardo Da Vinci’s, Studies of Water
Leonardo observed and analysed the movement of water for his civil engineering works, scientific studies as well as his artistic landscapes. Most of his water sketches that features the movement of water can be found in his notebooks and what was called the ‘Codex Leicester’ in 1717.
My adaptation of one of Leonardo’s water sketches is illustrated below on pink brolly fabric.
Now ten years have elapsed since I started this blog. A wide range of topics have been covered including using the broken umbrella (brolly) for a variety of applications. Below are some examples over the years.
To see what else was posted in that year simply click on the year listed below. You can also scroll to the right in 'Web Version' mode to access the list of years on the blog.
Umbrella / Brolly fabric used as a background in the art work shown below.
Black History Month
Some paintings from the renaissance and beyond
Lapis lazuli, an expensive mineral in bygone days was used to form the Tutankhamun mask's eyebrows and makeup surrounding the eyes. The mineral came from the mountains of Badakhshan in Afghanistan.
In some paintings of the renaissance era, Lapis Lazuli mineral was grounded and used to make a blue hue. Not lapis, however, the blue brolly fabric is synthetic and similar in colour used as a background to some of the paintings below.
Review of Leonardo Da Vinci’s Eyes in his oil paintings
Mona Lisa: As Leonardo Da Vinci kept this version till his death, it would seem that this is a relative, perhaps a later version of his mother who he was taken from as a child. Her iris is brown as most people would have been in that era (and still are today!).
Apart from her facial features looking well vexed, Ginevra’s eye colouring is hazel. Less than 6% of the world’s population have hazel coloured iris.
The angels with their grey iris are synonymous with people originating in cooler regions of the world e.g Northern Europe. The frontispiece for ‘Girl with the Pearl Earring’, (historical fiction set in the Netherlands), novel is also painted with grey iris. Less than 5% of the world’s population have grey coloured iris.
The cropped paintings have been placed on former black umbrella fabric
Leonardo Da Vinci’s, Three Emblems c1508 - 10
Pen and ink, blue body colour, wash of ground red chalk (?)
“Each of these three emblems has the theme of constancy.
At the top is a plough with the motto Hostinato rigore (Obstinate Rigour). At the centre is a compass mounted on a shaft geared in a very Leonardesque manner to a water wheel; the wheel is being turned by the water flowing below, But though this rotates the body of the compass, the needle points steadily at the sun. Beneath is the motto Destinato rigore, roughly ‘determined rigour’…Below, a candle at the centre of a lamp is blown by the eight winds and yet remains upright.”
Leonardo D Vinci A Life in Drawing, Martin Clayton
For me, the upper part of columns in the lamp looks to be in the style of doric or ionic.
I have superimposed a yellow brolly fabric in the candle section of the lamp.
‘Dog Days’ - 3rd July to 11th August 2024
In her Nature Notes 1905 and 1906 (The Country Diary of An Edwardian Lady), Edith writes: 3 July – Dog Days Begin. I have previously wondered what the ‘Dog Days’ were about. In short it is a weather-related term:
‘the dog days or dog days of summer are the hot, sultry days of summer.’
Then there is the Dog Star, Sirius which is the brightest star much studied by ancient astronomers.
The sky scene was created and adapted from brolly fabric with annotations added.
Leonardo Da Vinci’s, A cloudburst of material possessions c1506 -12
Black chalk pen and ink (part 9)
The upper right area
On the upper right of this sketch, I can see what looks like…
Can you see them too?
Blue, green and yellow Brolly fabric have been superimposed and made semi-transparent on the expanded section.
Leonardo Da Vinci’s, A cloudburst of material possessions c1506 - 12
Black chalk pen and ink (part 8)
Back to the upper Left area
What looks like the hind leg of the lion, has also been identified by someone as part of the head of a Jurassic / serpent creature making a meal of something.
Please see parts 1 – 7 for information on the rest of the sketch.
Perhaps the overall upper area represents a timeline of sorts.
What can you see?
Link to: Part One , Part Two, Part 3 , Part 4 , Part 5 , Part 6 , Part 7
If you are part of a local community group, consider marking the occasion with:
* Having a wildflower patch in your own / community garden.
* An Edwardian Tea Party
* An Edwardian Fancy Dress
* An Art Exhibition (invite members of the community to bring and show their flora / fauna art work.
* A Talk / Discussion with members within your group.
You can find summary information about Edith and her Natures Notes online.
Leonardo Da Vinci’s, A cloudburst of material possessions c1506 -12
Black chalk pen and ink (part 7)
Still in the upper centre area
Below the funnel at the top of the sketch and to the left of what looks like ‘Adam and Eve’ (please see parts 1 and 4), seems to be a number of items. I can see:
What can you see?
Leonardo Da Vinci’s, A cloudburst of material possessions c1506 -12
Black chalk pen and ink (part 6)
The Creatures in the upper centre area
Below the funnel at the top of the sketch and to the right of what looks like ‘Adam and Eve’, seems to be a number creatures. Some maybe even be mythical. Nonetheless I can see:
What can you see?
Yellow and green Brolly fabric have been superimposed and made semi-transparent on this section.
Leonardo Da Vinci’s, A cloudburst of material possessions c1506 -12
Black chalk pen and ink (part 5)
What Alphabet / Lettering system?
From the given description, there is a lion prowling in the clouds at top left, its head in two positions, and the note above, ‘on this side Adam, on that, Eve’ (see part 1).
There also seems to be some lettering around the ‘lion’s’ face. So looking from it’s left ear and both eyes, there appears to be the letter ‘w’.
Blended in with the w is what looks like the letter ‘k’.
Then to the right, parallel to the ground, is what looks like a ‘v’.
Furthermore, the right side of the lion’s face seems to have a nemes headdress. The lion’s left cheek appears to be broken into five pieces. Could the head be a representation of the Sphinx?
Link to: Part One , Part Two, Part 3 , Part 4
Happy St George's Day
Regarding John Gerard’s ‘The Herball’ 1597 Frontispiece
Some people think that the person holding the Fritillary plant (bottom right), is a representation of William Shakespeare, who is also remembered on 23rd April. Whilst he would have been around in that time period, the plants being held by the person indicates that there were some geographical implications i.e. the sweetcorn in his left hand originated from the Americas and the Fritillary flower possibly from Asia.
John Gerard used the term ‘Of Turkie’ in his description for both the sweetcorn and the flower.
Then there is the weird poem preceded by the reference to; ‘Martial seemeth to call Fritillas Abacus, or the Tables whereon men play at Dice, in the fifth booke of his Epigrams, writing to Galla.
The sad Boy now his nuts cast by,
Is call’d to Schoole by Masters cry:
And the drunke Dicer now betray’d
By Flattering Tables as he play’d,
Is from his secret tipling house drawne out,
Although the Officer he much besought,
&c.’
I have included a sketch of the Fritillary also known as: “Turkey-hen, Ginny-hen floure, Chequered Daffodill and Fritillarie, according to the Latine'. All of the fabric is made from a broken brolly (umbrella).
Black chalk pen and ink (part 4)
There is a lion prowling in the clouds at top left, its head in two positions, and the note above, ‘on this side Adam, on that, Eve’ (see part 2).
I was only able to see the second face (Eve, on the right), by superimposing yellow Brolly fabric (and lightening the saturation) on this area. I have now done the same to what looks like two other facial features.
The facial features on the right side seem to include three blended elements:
What a genius!
Perhaps this is the Adam and Eve reference intended rather than the images on the left side of the sketch (see part 1)
Yellow brolly fabric have been superimposed and made semi-transparent on this section.
Link to: Part One , Part Two, Part 3
A Resurrection Bible reading
Leonardo Da Vinci’s, A cloudburst of material possessions c1506 -12
Black chalk pen and ink (part 3)
There is a lion prowling in the clouds at the top left, its head in two positions, and the note above, ‘on this side Adam, on that, Eve’ (see part 2).
I was only able to see the second face (Eve, on the right), by superimposing yellow Brolly fabric (and lightening the saturation) on this section. I have now done the same to what looks like two other facial features on the right.
The upper right side of the drawing seems to include rock like structures too. Some say that Leonardo spent time in a cave in his youth, perhaps for contemplative moments and more. Maybe this sketch has multiple dimensions to it.
Leonardo Da Vinci’s, A cloudburst of material possessions c1506 -12
Black chalk pen and ink (part 2)
There is a lion prowling in the clouds at top left, its head in two positions, and the note above, ‘on this side Adam, on that, Eve’.
I was only able to see the second face (Eve, on the right), by superimposing yellow Brolly fabric on this section.
Throughout history much have been made about the lion:
1st Sunday of Lent
Leonardo Da Vinci’s, A cloudburst of material possessions c1506 -12
Black chalk pen and ink
"From thunderclouds a deluge of objects fall to earth – rakes, ladders, lanterns, bagpipes, shears, spectacles and so on – and written below is the lament 'Oh human misery, how many things you must serve for money.'
What might be a straightforward allegory of human materialism is complicated by a lion prowling in the clouds at top left, its head in two positions and the note above, ‘on this side Adam, on that, Eve’. If related to the drawing, the note might suggest the labours that mankind was subjected to after the Fall, contrasted with the unencumbered nobility of the lion"
Text adapted from Leonardo da Vinci: A life in drawing, Martin Clayton, 2018
Happy Valentine's Day
Saint Valentine of Italy was born in 226AD Temi, Italy and died 14 February 269AD in Rome.
The most famous miracle attributed to St Valentine is believed to have happened via a letter he sent to a blind girl. The girl miraculously gained her sight to read the note.
In modern times, some people exchange cards and gifts such as flowers, chocolates and have a special meal to mark the occasion as a token gesture of love!
Some drinks that are good for the heart include: water, beetroot juice and carrot juice. Healthy heart foods include: tomatoes, bell peppers, grapes and dark chocolate.
The red and yellows aspects of the sample artwork below are made from a broken umbrella.
