One character can play many parts
In previous posts, I have alluded to the possibility that the lady on top of this frontispiece could be the goddess Flora or Themis. This time, based on her attire, I am looking at the possibility that she could represent the goddess Artemis. Some observations:
Happy St George's Day (Friday 23rd April 2021)
Continuing with John Gerard’s ‘The Herball’ 1597 Frontispiece
Some people think that the chap 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 lad 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).
Happy Mother’s Day
Continuing with John Gerard’s ‘The Herball’ 1597 Frontispiece
The lady at the top of this art work is holding a basket of flowers in each hand. I can see what looks like a sunflower in the right basket. On reflection, it could be another plant from the Compositae family of flowers. Another observation, the basket is both lower and larger than the one in her left hand. This could indicate the weight of the sunflower which can grow over 20 feet tall!
So, for me now the representation of this lady in the frontispiece is possibly more to do with balance. Light weight flora in her left hand and a heavier weight in her right. Maybe presenting the ancient Greek goddess Themis, known for her clear sightedness – Greek Goddess of Justice and Law.
John Gerard’s ‘vertues’ of the “Floure of the Sun or the Marigold of Peru”
“…we have found by triall, that the buds before they be floured, boiled and eaten with butter, vineger and pepper, after the manner of Artichokes are exceedingly pleasant meat.”
Either way, one to avoid in the garden for hay fever sufferers! Although in recent times, some say that seafood and other foods high in omega-3 fatty acids have an anti-flammatory effect. So consuming those foods could help to overcome the hay fever issue.
Almost universally, sunflowers are a symbol of hope, healing and joy. In terms of health it is reputed to: improve skin health, boost energy levels and strengthen the immune system amongst other benefits.
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.
Happy New Year 2021
Continuing with John Gerard’s ‘The Herball’ 1597 Frontispiece. The lady – possibly a portrayal of the goddess Flora, is holding a basket of flowers in each hand. I can see a rose or is it a tulip in the left basket? Why are all the flora petals in the basket shown in red?
John Gerard’s ‘vertues’ of the rose
“The distilled water of roses is good for the strengthening of the heart and refreshing of the spirits and likewise for all things that require a gentle cooling... It mitigateth the paine of the eies proceeding of a hot cause, bringeth sleep, which also the fresh roses themselves provoke through their sweet and pleasant smell.”
I have included an applique of roses compiled in 2016 for comparison. All of the fabric is made from a broken brolly (umbrella).
Happy Christmas 2020
The yellow backdrop on the bauble is made from brolly fabric, featuring a selection of used UK Christmas themed postal stamps.
It's great that people still take time out to write and post cards!
Advent Season
Over the centuries, the Advent wreath featuring 5 candles has come to represent variations of similar themes. In some churches, one candle is lit each Sunday leading up to Christmas day.
1. The Patriarchs in faith - Hope
2. The Prophets - Faith
3. John the Baptist / Gaudete - Joy
(also for those who are fasting over the period, refreshment day)
4. Mary and Joseph / Annunciation - Love
5. Christmas Day Candle / White
In the arrangement shown above, the background and outer candles are created from brolly fabric and the central one from a piece of cardboard. As I do not have any holly in the garden, I have used the rosemary herb for the circular effect. Furthermore I find rosemary easier to work with as it:
- has a pleasant scent
- is not prickly like the holly
- can be washed and used in teas / cooking afterwards!
Six Years of this Blog.
So six years have gone by since I started this blog. A wide range of topics have been covered including using the broken umbrella (brolly) for: Arts – sketching on them, Crafts – cutting out shapes and using as appliques, covering garden pots, methods to help produce and heat water, the metal frame as an inference for use in the circular economy and much more.Now, for something a little bit different. Whilst viewing historic literature on gardening, I came across the frontispiece used on one of John Gerard’s (1545 -1612), book ‘The Herball or Generall History of Plantes’ 1597. I am amazed at the number of plants displayed in one setting – for that time period. They did not have the photo editing software then that we have now! So for this piece, I am going to focus on Sweet corn! Why – well providing that it is not genetically modified, it is great to eat and has: essential minerals such as zinc, magnesium, copper, iron and manganese. Other health benefits: it is a good source of the antioxidants carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin which promote eye health! (source Mayo Clinic Health System).The sweetcorn impression is sketched on yellow brolly fabric . The green background is also taken from a bust brolly!
