Category: Symbols and emblems

Baroque Artists, Exhibitions, Great Mistresses, Renaissance, Subjects for discussion, Symbols and emblems

ARTEMISIA!

Melanie V Taylor

Artemisia Gentileschi, a pioneering female artist, has gained recognition after centuries of male dominance in art history. Her work, currently exhibited in London's National Gallery, focuses on themes of female empowerment and personal struggle, particularly in her portrayal of Judith beheading Holofernes, challenging the male gaze. Gentileschi's artistry reflects resilience against sexual exploitation and societal norms.

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

Artists of Northern Europe, Flemish primitives, Illuminated manuscripts, portrait miniature, Symbols and emblems

Easter Day and Mary Magdalene Sees the Risen Lord

Melanie V Taylor

Mary Magdalene, grieving at Jesus' tomb, encounters two angels and later sees Jesus, initially mistaking Him for a gardener. After recognizing Him, He instructs her to share His resurrection with others. The author also discusses significant illuminated manuscripts linked to the Poncher family and their artistic contributions to devotional literature.

Artists of Northern Europe, Illuminated manuscripts, portrait miniature, Renaissance, Subjects for discussion, Symbols and emblems, The Hapsburgs, Tudor portraiture

The Good Friday Ceremony of the blessing of cramp rings and the curing of the King’s Evil

Melanie V Taylor

For those of you who have visited Westminster Abbey's gallery displaying various treasures of our ancient abbey, you may have well have failed to notice an illuminated manuscript known as The Cramp Ring manuscript.  In 2006 when I was researching my Master’s dissertation I was allowed to photograph the whole manuscript and the images of the… Continue reading The Good Friday Ceremony of the blessing of cramp rings and the curing of the King’s Evil

Artists of Northern Europe, Flemish primitives, Portraiture, Royal Portraits, Subjects for discussion, Symbols and emblems

Solve the puzzle of this 16th century painting for a £5,000 reward!

Melanie V Taylor

Recently I was contacted by Susan Abernathy suggesting I might be able to help the owner of this painting who has owned the panel for the past thirty odd years and is still none the wiser as to who painted it, what it commemorates, who is portrayed and where it has been until it was… Continue reading Solve the puzzle of this 16th century painting for a £5,000 reward!