On January 15, 1559 Elizabeth I was crowned Queen at Westminster Abbey during a grand coronation. Although only 25, Elizabeth’s early years and surprising ascension to the throne were fraught with political perils. The youngest daughter of Henry VIII was third in line for the crown after being restored to the line of succession near the end father’s life. Like Mary before her, Parliament declared Elizabeth illegitimate to clear Jane Seymour’s path to the throne. In 1554, the outbreak of Wyatt’s Rebellion nearly led to Elizabeth’s execution at the Tower, the same death her mother, Anne Boleyn, faced as Mary suspected Elizabeth’s involvement in the plot. Edward and Mary’s tumultuous reigns had led England to the edges of radical Protestantism only for the nation to be violently reunited with Rome. A court in conflict, economic instability, and the painful upheaval of the Reformation was the new Queen’s inheritance. What followed Elizabeth’s coronation was an unprecedented time in British history some refer to as England’s ‘Golden Age’.
Jewel Book of the Duchess Anna of Bavaria (1550s)
This illustration in a margin of the 14th century French manuscript The Hours of Yolande of Flanders depicts a mermaid with a mirror in her hand, combing her hair.
Every Halloween, people of all ages transform themselves into an array of characters and creatures for an evening of festivities. However, costumes are not a new occurrence in modern culture. The Renaissance courts often hosted masques, a magnificent stage show with music, singing, and dancing for visiting princes or honored guests. Courtiers and even kings often took part with non-speaking roles. All performers and participants wore costumes specifically designed by a distinguished artist for the event. The costumes could represent anything from a historic figure to an allegory. Above are 16th century costume designs by Italian artist, Giuseppe Arcimboldo.
In order:Geometry, Knight, Cook, Music, Astronomy, Headdress design
Bottoms Up
Great evidence that this 16th century book of ancient history was not always stored spine-out! The author, title, and a location/item number (68) appear on the lower edge of the text block. Because we are so used to storing books vertically now, the pretty lettering in this location makes it feel like you’ve found a secret message.
Pieter Bruegel the elder - “I am touchy and out of my senses bull-headed, so I bang my head against a brick wall”, from “Twelve proverbs”, 1558.
The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, Act I Scene: 2
Soothsayer. Caesar! Caesar. Ha! who calls? Casca. Bid every noise be still: peace yet again! Caesar. Who is it in the press that calls on me? I hear a tongue, shriller than all the music, Cry ‘Caesar!’ Speak; Caesar is turn’d to hear. Soothsayer. Beware the ides of March. Caesar. What man is that? Brutus. A soothsayer bids you beware the ides of March. Caesar. Set him before me; let me see his face. Cassius. Fellow, come from the throng; look upon Caesar. Caesar. What say'st thou to me now? speak once again. Soothsayer. Beware the ides of March. Caesar. He is a dreamer; let us leave him: pass.
( Sculpture: Andrea di Pietro di Marco Ferrucci c. 1512-1514, Julius Caesar)
Every Halloween, people of all ages transform themselves into an array of characters and creatures for an evening of festivities. However, costumes are not a new occurrence in modern culture. The Renaissance courts often hosted masques, a magnificent stage show with music, singing, and dancing for visiting princes or honored guests. Courtiers and even kings often took part with non-speaking roles. All performers and participants wore costumes specifically designed by a distinguished artist for the event. The costumes could represent anything from a historic figure to an allegory. Above are 16th century costume designs by Italian artist, Giuseppe Arcimboldo.
In order:Geometry, Knight, Cook, Music, Astronomy, Headdress design
Portrait of Princess Sibylle of Cleve by Lucas Cranach the Elder, 1526 (details)
Inside Monastery of Vallbona de les Monges (Ponent, Catalonia). The monastery was founded in the year 1055, and most of what we see nowadays was built between the 12th and 14th centuries.
Phot by gosia_siudzinska on instagram.
Symbols in Renaissance Art
Lilies: Found almost exclusively in annunciation scenes, the lily symbolizes Mary’s purity. In some accounts the golden anthers in the center of the flower represent the “radiance of her soul”.
Happy Sunday! Today, I went to the National Gallery for the first time in over a year to see some old favorites. Raphael, Van Eyck, and Titian oh my.