Art historian with an interest in visual messages
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.
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
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.
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
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
Melanie V Taylor 