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Blog History Revisited
Birds of Paradise: "Birds of Perpetual Flight"?
The Age of the Intrepid Explorer The Age of Enlightenment gave rise to great explorers, both for new lands to expand Empires, to find new trading opportunities to finance empire-expansion, and extend the knowledge of science and the natural world. New discoveries needed artists to record them. Wealthy men of science became benefactors encouraging artists to [...]
Origins of St. Valentine's Day
Valentine = Christian Martyr? Saint Valentine’s Day is said to be named after one or more of the Christian Martyrs of Ancient Rome. The name “Valentine”, derived from valens (worthy, strong, powerful). Of the Saint Valentine whose feast is on February 14, nothing is known except his name and that he was buried at the Via [...]
The Golden Age of Enchantment 1860-1930
Definition of Childhood Two Monumental tides have changed & challenged Planet Earth since the mid-1600s: The Age of Enlightenment gave a voice to Philosophers and Scientists who became the fertilizer for the Industrial Revolution . Inventors armed with the newfound scientific discoveries invented labour saving devices. Factories manufactured volume therefore creating “economy of scale” savings. Western [...]
Evolution of Fashion Magazines
Present Glossy Fashion mags Women's Fashion Magazines of today incorporate articles on recipe, seasonal home decoration, star gossip and the fashion trends. Every other page is dedicated to fashion brands & accessory advertising. Often referred to as "glossy magazines" they are aimed at their ideal customer, the lady herself, in these days of "off-the-rack" mass-produced factory [...]
Halloween, Welsh Folklore, the Devil and Black Robin the Magician
Engineering a Solution with Benefits-William Maddocks & "The Cob" When I sat down to research this beautiful, idyllic, delicately hand coloured aquatint of "Pont Aberglasslyn", featuring dramatic Welsh hills, peaceful estuary and some recreational fishermen...how did I end up with "Halloween"? It seems Pont Aberglasslyn has an intriguing connection to the Devil according to Welsh folk lore. [...]
Enlightened Encyclopedia Evolution care of the Printing Trade
The Printing Press - A Catalyst for Change? Prior to the invention of the printing Press by Johannes Gutenberg circa 1452 the “civilized world” was one of handwritten manuscripts for those wealthy enough to afford such luxuries, hence such knowledge. For the majority there was verbal education as few were literate. Now, there is some debate [...]
1788 : Enlightenment Meets Industry & Convicts Meet Sydney Cove
Accessible Knowledge Meets Transportation In London 1788 Alexander Hogg published 3 Volumes- The New Royal Cyclopedia,and Encyclopedia, or Complete, Modern and Universal Dictionary of Arts and Sciences...Modern Improvements & Latest Discoveries..." The copper plate engravings, printed in 1788, reveal a fraction of the knowledge born from the Age of Enlightenment (c.1650-) & Industrial Revolution (c.1750-). This [...]
Science & Technology = Art Revolution
Waldemar Janszczak and His Impressionism Investigation Recently a client introduced me to the work by a British art critic and television producer, Waldemar Januszczak. Jane sent me “The Impressionists: Painting and Revolution”. Methinks, “This will be great to listen to while I work on other activities…” WRONG! I happened to be uploading Science and Technology orientated [...]
Sydney: Convict or Hemp Colony?
More a Question of Peak Resources? The big problem of the 21st century has been that we live in an age of "peak resources". This relates to the future energy, food and water needs of an ever-growing world population. The word "sustainability" is often used as advertising hooks. There must have been past eras that experienced [...]
Shady History of Silhouettes
Regency Era Shade Portraits I believed the term and technique known as “Silhouette” was a French invention. I was mistaken! During the Regency Period (1800-1820), portraiture was on of the mainstays of British art. Having a portrait made confirmed one's worth and a status and, consequently recorded one's likeness for posterity. But for 300 years, the expense [...]
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