art
-
Here is a link to another WordPress site, The Dragonhound. It contains an exceedingly interesting and thought-provoking article about Anne Neville’s portraits (and those of a few others). The writer puts forward a very good case for the lady in blue, on the right of the illustration above, being Richard III’s elusive queen. There is…
-
(A Merry May Yesterday to you all! But before I begin, let me confess that I have gathered information for this article from the work of others, and the relevant webpages/sites are listed in the text and at the end.) Yes, one of the above illustrations is of Joan of Arc, perhaps the most famous…
-
Why is it that one particular image will capture the perceived essence of a medieval king in one’s mind? When one hears music for the first time, it will be that first rendition/interpretation that stays, and by which one will judge all others. At least, that is how it is with me. No matter how…
-
Well, I confess that on a passing glimpse, I thought this was an Egyptian Pharaoh, but no! It’s Henry VII as you’ve never seen him before. Well, I hadn’t, anyway. The picture is identified as his funeral effigy before it was restored after damage in World War II. I’m startled that anyone, even the Luftwaffe,…
-
Fans of the Harry Potter films might have noted a familiar face looking out from the wall at Hogwarts–Dr Ashdown Hill certainly did, and duly mentioned it in a recent post on his FB site! Yes, a portrait of Henry VII is hanging in the wizarding school’s great hall, amidst those of more, um, fantastical…
-
Richard III’s body is brought back to Leicester. Artwork by Victor Ambrus We all know the grim, but glorious way poor Richard met his death, his body maltreated at the callous behest of Henry Tudor – who was destined to die in his own bed. He isn’t listed in the link below, but his was…
-
This time it is Robert I, who claimed the Scottish throne in 1306 and whose descendants have reigned there ever since, except for the Commonwealth years. The legendary warrior and probable leprosy sufferer was buried in Dunfermline Abbey and disinterred nearly two centuries ago. Note that the reconstruction work from his skull was done by…
-
I have just bought this British Library “Illuminated Manuscripts” calendar for 2017. It’s gorgeous, and the illustrations are magnificent reproductions. I bought it from Amazon – couldn’t find it on the British Library site. If you follow the link, you can see small pictures of all twelve illustrations. August’s picture is of Henry VII adoring…
-
According to AbeBooks, this is the world’s most expensive book. You are looking at the Bay Psalm Book printed in 1640, which sold at a Sotheby’s auction for £8.8 million ($14.2 million) on 26 November 2013. The auction firm estimated the sale price would be between £9 million and £18 million ($15 million and $30…
The New Murrey and Blue blog 