Author: Melanie V Taylor

Freelance lecturer on art history and all aspects of history. Currently researching the creators of illuminated manuscripts of the latter part of the 15th century. Principal of Ashtead Art Lovers - founded in 2007.
Artists of Northern Europe, Portraiture, Tudor portraiture

Sir Thomas More – how we know him & his family

Melanie V Taylor

The face of Sir Thomas More (1478-1535) is known to us because Hans Holbein the Younger (c1497-1543) painted the portrait that now hangs in the Frick Collection, New York. Sir Thomas More as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancasterhans Holbein the Younger (c1497-1543). Frick Collection New York.Image source : Wikipedia For those interested in the… Continue reading Sir Thomas More – how we know him & his family

Modern Art, Subjects for discussion

What is Cubism, who invented it, when did they do it and why?

Melanie V Taylor

In simple terms, the who is easy – Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) and George Braques (1882-1963) are credited with ‘inventing’ this style of art.  When? 1907 is the first year a work in this style is exhibited.  The why and what is cubism are questions that are not so easy to answer. The 19th century saw rapid… Continue reading What is Cubism, who invented it, when did they do it and why?

Artists of Northern Europe, Books, Flemish primitives, Illuminated manuscripts

Hidden in Plain Sight :Visual evidence of travellers’ tales & trade in birds & other marvellous beasts

Melanie V Taylor

Below is the outline for the paper I will be presenting at the international conference titled Maritime Animals being held at the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, between 25-27th April 2019.  This paper will discuss just one element of my research into the visual evidence of trade with the Far East that is evident in surviving… Continue reading Hidden in Plain Sight :Visual evidence of travellers’ tales & trade in birds & other marvellous beasts

Subjects for discussion

Remembering personal responsibility when posting on social media

Melanie V Taylor

As an art historian part of my research is into the derivation and power of images. No matter how many articles are written, a single image can say much more than written words. This week saw the departure of two senior Facebook executives.   Evidently, their reason for leaving is ‘creative differences’ with FB’s founder, Mark Zukerberg.  I… Continue reading Remembering personal responsibility when posting on social media

Exhibitions, Illuminated manuscripts, portrait miniature, Portraiture, Subjects for discussion, Symbols and emblems

Nicholas Hilliard (1547-1619) & Isaac Oliver (1565-1617): Painters to the Elizabethan and Jacobean courts

Melanie V Taylor

Nicholas Hilliard was England’s first English artist to become internationally famous. His self portrait (© Victoria & Albert Museum, London) is a mere 41mm in diameter (1.6 inches) and it is for these exquisitely delicate and miniature images of Elizabeth I and her court that he becomes famous. I fell in love with Hilliard’s miniatures… Continue reading Nicholas Hilliard (1547-1619) & Isaac Oliver (1565-1617): Painters to the Elizabethan and Jacobean courts