The Panorama, measuring 15 x 114 metres and executed by a group of painters headed by Jan Styka, was originally presented in Lviv in a special round building in 1894. Depicting the Battle of Raclawice, it was taken to Wroclaw after World War II but the subject was considered too patriotic by the Soviets and …
Category Archives: Art
Postcard #14 – Malbork & Warsaw (Varsovie)
Two entirely different experiences today – Malbork, the largest mediaeval castle in Europe, covering 21 hectares and home to the Teutonic Order and a statue of Marie Curie in Warsaw where we are having a one-night stop. Deux expériences totalement différentes aujourd’hui : Malbork, le plus grand château médiéval en Europe, avec une surface de …
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Postcard #10 – Trompe l’œil in Poznan
You may remember my trompe l’œil photo taken in Germany but I think this one taken on Ostrow Tumski (Cathedral Island in Poznan is a whole other dimension. It wasn’t mentioned in either of our guidebooks! Below is Poland’s first cathedral, built in 968 but destroyed and rebuilt several times. Vous vous rappelez peut-être de …
Saint Savin Murals – Les peintures murales de Saint-Savin
Here are the murals in Saint Savin Abbey I mentioned in yesterday’s post. Click here for more information. Voici les peintures murales de l’Abbaye de Saint Savin dont j’ai parlé hier. Click here for more information.
Postcard from Malta – Tarxien Temples
Four megalithic temples built between 3600 and 2500 BC and interconnected were unearthed in 1914. The main temple above is the only known example of a six-apse temple. Quatre temples mégalithiques construits entre 3600 et 2500 av. J.-C.et reliés entre eux étaient exhumés en 1914. Le temple principal ci-dessus est le seul exemple connu d’un …
Postcard from Malta: Door Knockers – Heurtoirs
One of the first things I noticed in Malta was the door knockers, so I’ve been collecting photos of them. Here are my nine favourites for the moment. Une des premières choses que j’ai remarqué à Malte étaient les heurtoirs ; je me suis donc mise à les collectionner. Voici mes préférés pour le moment.
All Rugged Up – Tout emmitouflé
We weren’t sure, considering the snow and temperatures over the last few days, whether there would be many people at the monthly second-hand/antiques market, but there was a surprising turnout – and enough to pick up the very good etching below of the François I staircase in Blois Castle for 15 euros. Etant données la …
Fine Detail – Le moindre détail
This recently restored oil painting by Marie-Philippe Coupin de La Couperie (1773 – 1851), now hanging in Blois Castle, is entitled “Valentina of Milan at the tomb of her husband Louis d’Orléans”. Valentina Visconti, daughter of Gian Galleazo Visconti, Duke of Milan, married her cousin, Louis d’Orléans, in 1389. She was the reason behind the claims of …
Joan of Arc No Less – Jeanne d’Arc à notre surprise
Joan of Arc exists in many versions. This is one of the more surprising ones. It was made in 1820 by Jean-François Legendre. Il existe beaucoup de versions différentes de Jeanne d’Arc dont celle-ce qui figure parmi les plus surprenantes. Créé en 1820 c’est l’œuvre de Jean-Francois Legendre
The Renaissance Star – La Star de la Renaissance
I stole this expression from my friend Susan from Days on the Claise. François I lived from 1494 to 1547 and was crowned in 1515. He is considered to be the most emblematic royal figure of the French Renaissance during which arts and letters were at the forefront. The portrait above and sculpture below as well as the two …
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