One of our retired teachers group had a 60th birthday today, so there was a considerable gathering at a local restaurant for a long lunch. Because there were no classes this afternoon, a number of still-working staff were able to attend. Deb and I just went to chat and have tea. As Deb said once we got home, we were greeted like royalty, or long lost friends or relatives. I guess we need to get out more.
Well, it's mid-February and the weather looks quite reasonable for the next ten days. Colder than it should be, but not bad. Some snow, but nothing major. Maybe we have turned the corner. Cities like Ottawa, Montreal, Sudbury, and many others are solidly buried beneath near-record snow. Ours has melted yet again, but more is coming Sunday and next week. As we approach the full moon (this coming Tuesday), I am beginning to look forward to the late winter astronomy session. I'm hoping for three or four good nights, clear but not too cold, with no snow on the ground (it reflects upwards and brightens the sky). That session officially gets underway next Friday night. I'll be ready!
Back to paintings for a minute. One of the first styles of painting I connected with back in the day was early Flemish. The colours, the precision, the clothing, and especially the background landscapes got me interested ahead of most other styles. One of my favourite paintings from this period and style housed in Detroit is the one shown below. Called "Virgin of the Rose Garden," it is by an unknown painter working in Bruges in the 1400s, who is called today The Master of the St. Lucy Legend. Though he paints in the style of van der Weyden, very few works are attributed to him. His namesake altarpiece is in Bruges, and I would like to visit there someday soon.
Virgin of the Rose Garden, ca 1475-80, by the Master of the St. Lucy Legend.
Flemish, 79 cm x 60 cm. This is a truly remarkable and very beautiful painting, and I've had the good fortune to have known it well for several decades now. It seems fitting to enjoy this picture as winter comes to an end, though it will still be some time before we see roses here. Not even any snowdrops yet.
Detail of above, showing in the background the artist's depiction of Bruges. I also love the landscape backgrounds in early Flemish paintings! Note the English-looking hills!
Detail of right background, showing horse and riders emerging from the city, fantastic mountains, a church, a castle, and a stately home, as well as the ocean, way back.
Last night was Lupercalia, now known as Valentine's Day. We enjoyed a fire, take-away food (vegan pizza with all the trimmings), and some beautiful songs by Brahms (Op. 59). To us, this date represents the beginning of the end of winter. Feb. 2nd, or Imbolg, is the traditional Celtic celebration, but we are usually still mired in misery at that time. By delaying it by almost two weeks, however, we seem to hit the proper weather nearly every year at this time (note: for much of Northern Ontario, March 21st is a better bet--we are very fortunate living as far south as we do, at Latitude 42 N.).
Mapman Mike
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