The festival of Summer flowers has begun at the Red Cardinal Nest..
Hippeastrums are radiant on a hot day..
Close by, the indestructible Agapanthus raise their buds and burst forth in blue and white:
There will be dozens of them in a week or two..
Jacarandas are casting their purple spell across Brisbane...
Time for a glimpse of the Art Gallery's most popular work:
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| R. Godfrey Rivers 1859-1925, Under the Jacaranda, 1903. |
I took this photo last November to show you how person or persons unknown bring Jacaranda flowers in to place beneath the painting, imitating the purple carpet of fallen blooms which add to a Jacaranda's charm.
Here is an interesting painting which is back on display, one I enjoy:
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| Christopher Pease, Australia, 1969-, 'Minang Boodjar - Surveying King George Sound (after Louis de Sainson's 'Le Havre aux Huitres dans le Port du Roi Georges' 1833) 2007 |
Christopher Pease is a Western Australian Aboriginal painter whose work is informed by his own family history, and that of his W.A. State.
The painting is based on a lithograph, 'Le Havre aux Huitres dans le Port du Roi Georges (Oyster Bay in King George III Sound), 1833, by Louis de Sainson:
de Sainson was draughtsman aboard the Astrolabe, on one of the voyages of discovery of French explorer Jules Dumont d'Urville, in the early 1800s.
On 7 October 1826, the Astrolabe anchored in King George Sound on the southern coast of Western Australia, where it remained for 18 days.
Dumont d'Urville thought it suitable for a port, and an excellent place to establish a colony. During this visit members of the crew including de Sainsons, met and spent time with the Minang (Pease's) people, the artist's ancestors.
Louis de Sainson created many images of their friendly encounters with the Aborigines.
And why did Christopher Pease add Alice in Wonderland's White Rabbit to his version of the story? Because the White Rabbit, clutching his watch, is always too late. The British claimed the land, the Australian continent became a British colony, and the French were 'too late'. If things had been a little different, perhaps I would be writing my blog in French!
Did you see Kate went to an exhibition at The Hague, and admires 'Girl with a Pearl Earring' (Johannes Vermeer, c.1665).
Wearing pearl earrings, naturally, and a very chic suit.
And while we are on the subject, Kate's eye for colour comes to the fore in the Goodbye to Canada pose. To salute the Canadian flag, the children wear the red, and Kate a classic white coat. Beautiful.
Have an excellent week.
XXXX
de Sainson was draughtsman aboard the Astrolabe, on one of the voyages of discovery of French explorer Jules Dumont d'Urville, in the early 1800s.
On 7 October 1826, the Astrolabe anchored in King George Sound on the southern coast of Western Australia, where it remained for 18 days.
Dumont d'Urville thought it suitable for a port, and an excellent place to establish a colony. During this visit members of the crew including de Sainsons, met and spent time with the Minang (Pease's) people, the artist's ancestors.
Louis de Sainson created many images of their friendly encounters with the Aborigines.
And why did Christopher Pease add Alice in Wonderland's White Rabbit to his version of the story? Because the White Rabbit, clutching his watch, is always too late. The British claimed the land, the Australian continent became a British colony, and the French were 'too late'. If things had been a little different, perhaps I would be writing my blog in French!
Did you see Kate went to an exhibition at The Hague, and admires 'Girl with a Pearl Earring' (Johannes Vermeer, c.1665).
Wearing pearl earrings, naturally, and a very chic suit.
And while we are on the subject, Kate's eye for colour comes to the fore in the Goodbye to Canada pose. To salute the Canadian flag, the children wear the red, and Kate a classic white coat. Beautiful.
Have an excellent week.
XXXX
Love your flowers Patricia - all of them have a touch of the exotic about them. Although agapanthus grow in my garden, hippeastrums grow safely only in my conservatory.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment on my rather insubstantial blog post. It had posted without my knowledge!! so I was surprised to see your comment in my email box. I have quickly had to try and put some meat on the bones.
Yes, our Summer flowers are rather exotic, and speak of the tropics. I would love to have a conservatory, but to have a cool environment for more temperate plants!
DeleteI'll be looking to see more on Ethiopia...
Lovely flowers, nature paintings and nature, Trish! I love Kate's sense of style and wish all children had such wise, caring parents and the same opportunities like her little cuties. She has the ability to select the most flattering clothes without placing too much importance of material things, doesn't she?You get the idea that she likes clothes, knows it's part of her job to look the part of royalty, but it doesn't define her.
ReplyDeleteYes, I think you are right about Kate, she has a gift for making good, appropriate clothing choices (or has good help?) I think she enjoys it, but she also knows how to keep it simple.
DeleteYour flowers are gorgeous, Patricia. I wonder if you miss the cool climes of Europe now that life is heating up for you! I didn't even know Kate was in the Netherlands until after she'd gone! She even came to Rotterdam, apparently. I have a feeling the Dutch are not given to that much pomp, even when it comes to their own royals!
ReplyDeleteI did enjoy the cool temperatures in Ireland (after striking a heatwave in London). In no time at all, we will be complaining a treat about the heat. I remember my parents telling me about the Dutch royals, who rode on bicycles are were 'just like ordinary people'. However, I think Queen Maxima enjoys herself with the fashions and the jewels.
DeleteHow interesting to see the painting and the lithograph it was based upon. I really enjoy your posts about the art in your area. The red flower in your garden is stunning.
ReplyDeleteThank you Darla, I found the story behind this painting very interesting too. In fact, we were never taught at school about the presence of the French - it was Britain all the way in our education! We are very pleased with the red blooms this year.
DeleteHow interesting to see the painting and the lithograph it was based upon. I really enjoy your posts about the art in your area. The red flower in your garden is stunning.
ReplyDeletePatricia, your Hippeastrum pictures are gorgeous! And the Jacarandas are so pretty gracing the hills. Kate looks pretty in her white coat. We once had a picture taken of the family, and we were all wearing blue jeans and white sweaters. :)
ReplyDeleteOh, I can't get over that red flower. It makes me smile.
love, ~Sheri
The jacarandas are still coming into bloom, but soon our whole city will be festooned with clouds of blue, a lovely sight. Such fun to dress the family in a colour blend - we did it too, with blue shirts!
DeleteGorgeous flowers!! And beautiful artwork Trish. And I love learning the history behind them as well! So interesting...thanks for sharing my Friend.
ReplyDeleteAnd that Kate has impeccable taste in my opinion as well. ;)
Blessings on your week ahead. xoxo
Hi Carrie, glad you like my red flowers, and that you enjoyed the historical painting. I love a bit of history in art too. Blessings back to you too :)
DeleteBeautiful blooms in your garden. And, speaking of who was here first, we may all be speaking Dutch as well - if memory serves me correctly, a Dutch ship touched on the W.A.shores in the 1600's. Wouldn't it be wonderful to have the opportunity to wear Kate type clothes regularly - wishful thinking, for those of us living the everyday life!
ReplyDeleteSo true, many others knew of the Great South land. Some people believe the Portuguese were visiting our coast in the 1500s, but the evidence is impossible to prove. Yes, I'd love to wear those dress-up clothese regularly, especially Kate's coats - she has a great collection!
DeleteThat would be a nice idea - I wonder when we will see another portrait of Kate. The Queen still seems to sit for them regularly.
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