Medieval Style

Looking for ways to create backgrounds for my ceramic decoration I found myself going back

 to Gaston Phoebus and his "Livre de Chasse".
Last time I looked at this work I was utterly charmed by the love and attention bestowed upon the hounds.
These particular images though, show the beasts that man and his dog will hunt.
Each animal is portrayed in its ideal surroundings - its Eden.

Each painting shows: "This is what this beast is about! This is where it's happiest."

I find them touching and joyful.

Sentimental? 

 I like the way the artists stylised plants and trees and used layering of colours,
 especially on trees.

The influence of medieval paintings is clear in the work of British "Arts and Crafts" artists and designers such as William De Morgan and William Morris. 

William Morris & John Henry Dearle 1890

  Lovely specimen wild flowers and decoratively arranged foliage.

The Huntsman, CFA Voysey 1919

I do like it when plants are specific and identifiable in artwork. Animals and birds too.

I am reminded of Casa di Livia

Thrush.

Quince.

 Blackbird.

A couple of buxom pigeons in there too.



The More Loving One

I've had a copy of this book for a few years. It does not contain any of Auden's poetry but it was Moore's drawings I was primarily interested in. Recently I have started to look at Auden's work and this one has relevance for some people in my life at the moment. 

Looking up at the stars, I know quite well

That, for all they care, I can go to hell,

But on earth indifference is the least

We have to dread from man or beast.

How should we like it were stars to burn

With a passion for us we could not return?
If equal affection cannot be,

Let the more loving one be me.

Admirer as I think I am

Of stars that do not give a damn,

I cannot, now I see them, say

I missed one terribly all day.

Were all stars to disappear or die,

I should learn to look at an empty sky

And feel its total dark sublime,

Though this might take me a little time.

W.H. Auden

Better to love than be loved? When we love we are alive. We don't want to feel that we are lacking in our capacity for loving, making us less good humans. When we do love we want to believe in it's power, that it is everlasting. Love dying, love fading is the saddest thing. 

Three Hundred and Sixty Five

 This beautiful book has been with me for 4 or 5 years now.

It's spine is distorted from lying open all the time. It takes time for it to adjust to me returning to the front pages again.

 

 Challenging and inspiring reminders for each day.

 I read and turn the pages when I remember. Some I've rarely seen - hectic times.

One of the ways I try to stay with the big picture. 

Harry Brockway

 Harry Brockway - stonecarver and illustrator. Take a look at his portfolio - highly skilled artist!

Two charity shop finds: Tom Sawyer and Huckberry Finn.

I was attracted by the wood engravings of course.

I'd never read these classics before and really enjoyed them.

The joie de vivre and ingenuity of the boys and the dialects spoken.

Eye openers to social history and attitudes in that time and place.



 I found this 1926 magazine on a market stall at the weekend.

Well out of date humour but beautifully drawn illustrations.

Expressive characters.

Movement created with vigorous confident lines.

When something like this, which was never meant to last for very long, survives for 85 years I feel it's really special. 

Dog's Life II

 More dogs in Art

All from "Livre de Chasse" Gaston Phoebus.

The original book dates from the 1380s.

These illustrations are from subsequent 15th century editions created.

The love of the animals shines through.

Charming!

 "The noble hound".

Hilary Paynter

 More wood engravings.

Bridge in Calabria   1971

  Again great use of diagonals in the compositions.

The Wall  1995

  Man-made rift between peoples. Here Hilary writes about this piece.



The Discovery of Lascaux  1977

  Inspired by the story of cave paintings found by children whilst searching for their lost dog.



Tree with a Long Memory   2003

 Here she uses the natural wood shape beautifully and echoes the rings of the tree. Cracks in the bark bite into the edges of the print.

Henri Riviere

I am big fan of woodcuts and the Japanese are experts of course. I recently discovered the work of french artist, Henri Riviere, who was heavily influenced by their powerful compositions.

He also painted in oils and watercolours and produced several lithographs. His restricted colour palette captures cold, wet, stormy weather perfectly .....brrrr!

As artists do, he seems to have obsessed at times - cliffs, sailing boats, the wind, tree trunks, umbrellas and something else ............. illustrated 7 times in this post. 

Some of his "Thirty Six Views of the Eiffel Tower" are a great record of life in late 19th century Paris. The tower was the tallest construction in Europe and must have made parisians feel so small with its omnipresence.

Diane and Evelyne de Clercq

Whilst butchering an old "World of Interiors" for a scrapbook I came across an article which somehow had not attracted my attention over the past ten years.

The Rome studios of textile and knitwear designer sisters Diane and Evelyne de Clercq not only sport a rich mix of second hand office, factory, retail and school furniture but also some inspiring display ideas.

Miniture sweaters.

Wrapped yarns.

Knitted ribbons cover shelves.

This is a great idea but I don't know if I have the patience to knit these - they could be woven .

Diane de Clercq uses stripes and blocks in beautiful colour combinations of plain and marl yarns. I love these knitted ties.

Gloves with wings.

More beautiful images here .