★ Not a new documentary, but an absolutely wonderful one – the BBC’s fascinating 2013 account of the life and work of Russian jeweller, Carl Faberge, is currently available to watch on iPlayer. Called ‘The World’s Most Beautiful… Continue reading
Category Archives: ~ Things of the Past
★ ‘Portrait of a Lady as Flora’ by Nattier
★ One of the things I love about art is that no matter how many paintings I see or artists I research, there never ceases to be another beautiful discovery just around the corner. And here’s another. Currently in the Museum of John Paul II Collection at the Porczyński Gallery in… Continue reading
★ French Glass Vases by Brocard, 1877
★ An exquisite pair of enameled and gilded glass vases, made in France by Philippe-Joseph Brocard (1877). Aren’t they lovely? Heavily inspired by Middle Eastern designs, they reflect the wider 19th century fashion for ‘Orientalism’ which influenced much of Europe’s decorative… Continue reading
★ 1956 Advert for the Cadillac Sedan DeVille
★ A truly fabulous image to advertise a fabulous car. They really don’t make them like this anymore! (Neither the car, nor the advert.) Intended to advertise the swanky Cadillac Sedan de Ville, this gorgeous illustration is by Jon Whitcomb and dates from 1956. Retailing for… Continue reading
★ Neubourg-Cromière Portraits by Roslin
★ I absolutely love these gorgeous companion portraits of French aristocrats, the Baron and Baroness de Neubourg-Cromière. They were created in 1756 by noted Swedish artist Alexander Roslin, whose skillful representation… Continue reading
★ Taffeta Promenade Dress, c.1870
★ How sensational is this dress?! The colour is amazing! It was made in the United States around 1870, and that date, together with the rich and vibrant colour, suggests it was dyed with a then still relatively new aniline dye. Aniline dyes were the first synthetic dyes ever made, and… Continue reading
★ Maternal Bond – Mother and Child in Art
★ It’s Mother’s Day here in the UK – that day when we take the time to say ‘thank you’ for all the kissed-better cuts and scrapes, laundered clothes, home-cooked meals, and ever-loving shoulder to cry on. There’s an old saying that… Continue reading
★ Faithless (1932) – Vintage Lobby Cards
★ Starring the sassy and sultry Tallulah Bankhead in her last film role for more than a decade, ‘Faithless’ is a 1932 film that practically exemplifies pre-Hays Code Hollywood movies. Focusing on a spoilt socialite who loses all of her money during the Great Depression, it’s… Continue reading
★ 1885 Women’s Embroidered Boots
★ I love this exquisitely embroidered pair of women’s boots – the flowers are so delicate, and the soft and subtle colours stand out so wonderfully against the black! Currently in the collections of LACMA, they’re made of fine silk, linen, kid leather and suede, and they were… Continue reading
★ Maria Amalia of Austria by van Meytens
★ On this day in 1746, Archduchess Maria Amalia of Austria was born at the Hofburg Imperial Palace in Vienna. The eighth child of Empress Maria Theresa of Austria and Emperor Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor, she was also… Continue reading
