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.
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NELSON’S NAVY

Melanie V Taylor

a Guest post by Ian Robertson, MA. Why is the Royal Navy of the late 18th and early 19th Centuries referred to as ‘Nelson’s Navy’?  As is so often the case, the simplest of answers is the right one. England had been at war, on and off, during this period and if a war is going to maintain… Continue reading NELSON’S NAVY

Artists of Northern Europe, Books, portrait miniature, Portraiture, Renaissance, Tudor portraiture

The Cromwell Enigma – A Review

Melanie V Taylor

The Cromwell Enigma by Derek Wilson, published by MaryleboneHouse. When it comes to Thomas Cromwell (1485 – 1540), what more of an enigma can there be than the paucity of detail for the years he spent abroad prior to becoming the indispensable secretary to Cardinal Wolsey and then the man who administered the affairs of… Continue reading The Cromwell Enigma – A Review

Artists of Northern Europe, Flemish primitives, Renaissance, Royal Portraits, Subjects for discussion, The Hapsburgs, Tudor portraiture

Solve the puzzle of this 16th c painting for a £5,000 reward! An update.

Melanie V Taylor

Just over twelve months ago I posted a short article on a painting held in a private collection. The owner describes his painting as ‘A unique, mysterious, unrecognised, unidentified painting’. The owner has a dedicated website (a link is in the footnote)[i] in the hope that someone will identify the subject matter, artistic attribution and provenance.  … Continue reading Solve the puzzle of this 16th c painting for a £5,000 reward! An update.

Artists of Northern Europe, Illuminated manuscripts, Illumination of legal documents, portrait miniature, Portraiture, Renaissance, Royal Portraits, Symbols and emblems, Tudor portraiture

The origins of the Tudor portrait miniature

Melanie V Taylor

For those not familiar with the genre of the portrait miniature, let us first consider why and when these portraits became popular in England, and the various artists creating these images for the Tudor court. The half millennium saw a marked change from the religious themes of the medieval period to secular subjects inspired by… Continue reading The origins of the Tudor portrait miniature

Books, Original Documents, study days, Subjects for discussion

The Importance of Wills and Other Original Documents.

Melanie V Taylor

Gill Whitlock’s article highlights the significance of wills as historical documents that provide insights into personal relationships and societal norms. She discusses Shakespeare’s will, suggesting deep connections to his family and possibly his works. The piece emphasizes the value of examining wills for understanding historical context and the evolution of probate law.