Black History Month

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. 

LDV eyes in oil paintings

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 of Summer

‘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.

LDV Cloudburst (part 9)

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…

• An adult face, with a crooked expression
• A face with a gaping look about it
• Something that resembles a helmet or even an skull
• Some pin points.  The lower part of one seems to have a coil / or screw type markings
• A bearded head in a hidey hole.

Can you see them too?

Blue, green  and yellow Brolly fabric have been superimposed and made semi-transparent on the expanded section.

Link to:  Part One , Part Two, Part 3 , Part 4 , Part 5 , Part 6 , Part 7 , Part 8

LDV Cloudburst (part 8)

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?

Red and yellow Brolly fabric has been superimposed and made semi-transparent on this section.

Link to:  Part One , Part Two, Part 3 , Part 4 , Part 5 , Part 6 , Part 7

Some Anniversaries

 Edith Holden and her Nature Notes Anniversaries

I covered some adapted works in the years 2019 - 2022 on this blog, such as the Iris below.

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.

LDV cloudburst (part 7)

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:

• An archway
• A dog’s head, (looks like a greyhound) with it’s mouth open
• A jar or jug with light shadow on the right
• Some steps

What can you see?

Blue and yellow umbrella fabric have been superimposed and made semi-transparent on this section.

Link to:  Part One , Part Two, Part 3 , Part 4 , Part 5 , Part 6

LDV cloudburst (part 6)

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:

• An elephant
• A rhino’s tusk
• Lamb’s head facing right, (with a puncture, leaching liquid on the left side)
• A comical creature facing left with it’s mouth wide open
• Variation of a face similar to Edvard Munch ‘The Scream’ 

What can you see?

Yellow and green Brolly fabric have been superimposed and made semi-transparent on this section.

Link to:  Part One , Part Two, Part 3 , Part 4 , Part 5

LDV cloudburst (part 5)

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).

Looking at those letters, it seems odd that the letter ‘N’   looks regular and not mirrored.  Could this be a Greek or Latin version of N?

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’.

Place (left side of illustration)

Some people believe that Leonardo went to Egypt. The lady’s face to the right seems to have horns behind her head. Could this be the ancient Bull / Apis mountain?

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

St George's day

 

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). 

LDV 'A cloudburst' ...part 4

Leonardo Da Vinci’s, A cloudburst of material possessions c1506-12 

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:

• A Lady’s head facing to the left.
• A Man’ head facing to the right eyes looking down
• Part of the Lady’s face doubles as a heart shape and the man’s beard

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

Easter 2024

Happy Easter Season 

A Resurrection Bible reading

“1 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre,bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.

2 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.
3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.

4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:

5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?

6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,

7 Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.

8 And they remembered his words,

9 And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.

10 It was Mary Magdalene and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles.

11 And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not.

12 Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.”

Gospel of Luke KJV c24 v1-12

The illustration has been composed on black umbrella fabric.

LDV 'A cloudburst' ...part 3

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.

Link to Part One , Part Two

LDV 'A cloudburst' ... part 2

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:

•  Biblical references
•  Emperor Haile Selassie / Lion of Judah
•  Hunting of the lion during various eras in time
•  C S Lewis in his Chronicles of Narnia series
•  Films and theatre productions  e.g. the Lion King and The Wizard of Oz
•  There are over 15 countries with a lion in their national flag

Link to Part One 

Leonardo Da Vinci’s, A cloudburst ...

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

I was only able to see the second face (Eve, on the right of the lion), by superimposing yellow Brolly fabric on this section.

Original Valentine's day story

 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.

Leonardo Da Vinci’s dog and eagle c1508-10 (part 4)

 Leonardo Da Vinci’s dog and eagle c1508-10 (part 4)

One of my interpretations of the contents of this chalk drawing.

The odd bit of this drawing is what looks like a tree sticking out of the left (or even west side of the globe). The tree in the boat is full of foliage so perhaps part of the vision is showing the possibility of transporting a tree from one part of the world (west), to another indicating that it will grow elsewhere.  Another inference is that a tree coming from the west needs to be planted on the west side of the recipient country.

Leonardo also did cartography.  There are also possible links with Christopher Columbus.

LDV Dog and Eagle Sketch (part 3)

Leonardo Da Vinci’s dog and eagle c1508-10 (part 3)

One of my interpretation of the contents of this chalk drawing.

This is possibly a vision or dream that Leonardo Da Vinci had.  Over the centuries, people have been encouraged to illustrate what they see in their dreams.  

The flying Creature.
In the biblical book of Ezekiel 1, he had a vision that refers to mystical flying creatures.  Ezekiel describes what he sees in detail and concludes:

‘This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. ’ Ezekiel c1 v28 KJV

The biblical evangelist John is also represented as an Eagle, due to it being a symbol of that which comes from above and in his Revelation, seeing beyond what is immediately present.

Dog
The dog, possibly an Alsatian shepherd dog, looks as though it is in obedience to the eagle, willing to be guided by it’s light.  The light shining from the eagle’s chest is directed to the compass.  Therefore energy and guidance is being provided by this being.

The boat
The style of boat resembles that of a cedar wooden boat made for one person – or to be steered by one person in particular.

Tree 
The tree could be an inference to ‘Jesse Tree’ related to the ancestry of King David or the Tree of Life as stated in the book of Revelation.

I have superimposed a yellow brolly fabric on the sail section of the drawing.

LDV Dog and Eagle Allegory (part 2)

 Leonardo Da Vinci’s dog and an eagle c1508-10 (part 2)

This illustration is described as Leonardo's ‘most highly finished chalk drawing, though it’s purpose is unknown and the allegorical subject has received many different interpretations’.

Leonardo was living in French occupied Milan when he did this drawing.  The allegorical subject has received numerous interpretations as listed below:

‘ The glorious eagle bestriding the earth wears a French crown with fleurs-de-lys, and must stand for the King of France.

• the animal in the boat is sometimes seen as a wolf representing the Pope, guiding the ‘ship of the Church’ (navis ecclesiae)  with a tree for a mast.
• It has been seen as an allegory of the alliance between Pope Leo X and Francis I in 1515
• the marriage of Giuliano de’ Medici (Leonardo’s patron in Rome) and Philiberta of Savoy in 1516
• Ludovico Sforza fleeing to the protection of the Holy Roman Emperor in 1499
• Alexander VI cowering before the conquering Charles VIII in 1494 
• even as an allegory of canalisation projects in Lombardy.

The style of the landscape is that of the years around 1510, and the idea of a compass in turbulent waters remaining fixed on the glory of France.

The animal in the boat is therefore presumably a dog, for fidelity, and the allegory expresses faithful devotion towards the King of France. Only the tree-mast is mysterious, though it could be a personal device of the patron. ’

Text adapted from Leonardo da Vinci: A life in drawing, Martin Clayton, 2018

I have superimposed a yellow brolly fabric on the sail section and adjusted the tone (see part 1, 03Jan24).