Even during the Renaissance, blond women, whether Venetian or French, were considered more beautiful. The Venetians used to bleach their hair and so did Diane de Poitiers, for example. (Detail from the Legend of Saint Ursula series by Carpaccio). Même pendant la Renaissance, on trouvait les femmes blondes plus belles, qu’elles soient vénétiennes ou françaises. …
Category Archives: Art
Salamander and Ermine – Salamandre et ermine
This is another of the magnificent painted fireplaces in Blois Castle in the King’s Room, with François I’s salamander on the left and the ermine of his wife, Claude de France, on the right. Voici une autre cheminées peinte magnifique qui se trouve au château de Blois dans la Salle du roi avec le salamandre …
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Doubtful Sculpture – Sculpture dubitative
Looking rather doubtful on the façade of Hôtel d’Alluye in Blois. Belle expression dubitative sculptée sur la façade de l’hôtel d’Alluye à Blois.
The Cobwebby Bell – Cloche aux toiles d'araignées
This is the bell in the tower next to the private chapel at Château de Montpoupon. It is not a criticism. We constantly battle with cobwebs in Closerie Falaiseau – and this one is pretty hard to get at. Voici la cloche dans la tour à côté de la chapelle privée au château de Montpoupon. …
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The Lion's Cornucopia in Cheverny – Corne de lion à Cheverny
Unforgettable sculpture on the side of a finely carved dresser (photo below) in Château de Cheverny. Impressionnante sculpture sur le coté du meuble très ouvragé (photo ci-dessous) dans le château de Cheverny.
The Key to Heaven – La clé du paradis
I have already published a photo of Saint Pierre in Montlivaut. Today, while cycling, we were able to borrow the key from the grocery store opposite to visit the inside. During the internal restoration, 15th century wall paintings were discovered. One panel depicts the Trinity while the other shows Saint Denis’ last mass. J’ai déjà …
The Fish Platter – Le plat à poisson
You like it or you don’t! This platter with its eels and other fish, manufactured by an anonymous artist in the 19th century, is in the same style as Thomas Sergent’s majolica platters. Château de Blois Collection. On aime ou on n’aime pas ! Ce plat à décor d’anguille, d’un artiste anonyme du 19ème est …
Tabernacle tourelle en saumurois
We found this fine example of a turret tabernacle in deconsecrated church of Trèves between Saumur and Gennes. Ce bel exemple de tabernacle tourelle se trouve dans l’église désaffectée de Trèves entre Saumur et Gennes.
The Apprentice Stone Cutters – Les tailleurs de pierre apprentis
These apprentice stone-cutters are making the most of the sun at the Maison des Compagnons in Saumur which trains the best atisans in France. Ces tailleurs de pierre apprentis profitent d’une journée ensoleillée à la Maison des Compagnons à Saumur qui forme les meilleurs ouvriers de France.
The Mystery Animal – La bête mystérieuse
It’s difficult to know whether these two animals are one and the same. The top one is a fountain at the foot of the steps leading up to the castle, on Place Louis XII, just opposite the Pierced Swan, while the bottom one is in the castle grounds. The top one has a crown …