Wednesday, April 14, 2021
18C Allegory of Spring - Love & Bird Nests
1796 Spring Published by George Thompson London
This depiction of Spring shows a family on a river bank. The man is holding a fishing rod and displying a fish caught on the line, while the woman opens a wicker basket full of others. The little girl stands holding a basket of flowers, while the little boy kneels in the foreground, feeding birds in a nest in his hat. Behind them a team is ploughing in the background to right.
This depiction of Spring shows a family on a river bank. The man is holding a fishing rod and displying a fish caught on the line, while the woman opens a wicker basket full of others. The little girl stands holding a basket of flowers, while the little boy kneels in the foreground, feeding birds in a nest in his hat. Behind them a team is ploughing in the background to right.
Tuesday, April 13, 2021
18C Allegory of Spring - Love & Bird Nests
1785 Probably published in Britain. Here a young man is handing a birds' nest to a young woman. He has one hand on her shoulder as she accepts the nest. She is collecting spring flowers in her apron. The couple is passing by another woman kneeling beside a basket of flowers and hold up a garland for the couple to see. Men are sowing grain in fields in the background to left.
Monday, April 12, 2021
Sunday, April 11, 2021
17C Allegories & Myths of Spring around a Garden
In Pagan Rome, Floralia, from April 27-May 3 was the festival of the Flower Goddess Flora & the flowering of Springtime. Roman Catholic traditions of adoring statues of Mary with garlands of flowers on May 1 have Roman Pagan roots. On May 1, offerings were made to Bona Dea (as Mother Earth), the Lares (household guardian spirits), & Maia (Goddess of Increase) from whom May gets its name. On May 1, early cultures followed a pastoral tradition of turning sheep, cows, other livestock out to pasture. In early Scandinavia, mock battles between Winter & Summer were enacted at this time.
Fire is a common accompaniment to many May celebrations. Celebrants mark the holiday by lighting fires, dancing, feasting & often performing fertility rites. Many built a bonfire & then moved through it or danced clockwise around it. Livestock was driven around a Beltane fire or between 2 fires for purification & fertility blessings. In ancient times Druid priests kindled it at sacred places. In later times, Christian priests kindled their spring fires in fields near the church after peforming a Christian church service. Branches & twigs often were carried around these fire 3 times, then hung over hearths to bless homes. Risk-takers made a wish for good luck before jumping a bonfire or the flame of a candle. Beltane may refer to the “fires of Bel,” in honor of the Celtic sun god, Belenus. Some pagans believe fire has the power to cleanse, purify & increase fertility.
Some believed during May the veil between the human & supernatural worlds is at its thinnest, making them potent days for magic.
Holding on to the Sweet Divine - “The Lord God took man & put him in the Garden of Eden to work it & to keep it.” Genesis 2:15.
Saturday, April 10, 2021
17C Spring - Flowers, Fertility, Sensuality, & Delight by Martin Droeshout 1601-1639
In Pagan Rome, the celebration of Floralia, from April 27-May 3 was the festival of the Flower Goddess Flora & the flowering of Springtime. Holding on to the Sweet Divine - “The Lord God took man & put him in the Garden of Eden to work it & to keep it.” Genesis 2:15.
Friday, April 9, 2021
17C Spring Boating Parties - Making Music & Gathering Newly Green Branches
1660 Published by Matthew Collings; After Crispijn de Passe the Elder; After Maarten de Vos. May; boat with two couples collecting green branches, drinking, and making music. The branches of new leaves decorating the boat celebrate the regeneration of spring & fertility.
Holding on to the Sweet Divine - “The Lord God took man & put him in the Garden of Eden to work it & to keep it.” Genesis 2:15.
Thursday, April 8, 2021
Wednesday, April 7, 2021
17C Spring - Flowers, Fertility, Sensuality, & Delight.
1620 Lady as Spring, by Follower of Abraham Janssens, also called Abraham Janssens Van Nuyssen (Flemish, 1573-1632)
Spring brings flowers, fertility, sensuality, & delight. Holding on to the Sweet Divine - “The Lord God took man & put him in the Garden of Eden to work it & to keep it.” Genesis 2:15.
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Tuesday, April 6, 2021
17C Spring Wenceslaus Hollar (1607-1677)
Wenceslaus Hollar (European-born English artist, 1607-1677) Duchess of Lennox as Spring. Spring refers to the ecological, environmental season, and also to ideas of rebirth, rejuvenation, renewal, resurrection & regrowth.
Holding on to the Sweet Divine - “The Lord God took man & put him in the Garden of Eden to work it & to keep it.” Genesis 2:15.
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