Melancholy of the American Baroque

I can see that my posts on Melancholia enjoy enduring popularity among my visitors. Here is a bit more....

May of us know the painting by Grant Wood, American Gothic.
Should't it be called American Baroque? --->
The thesis is that really, as in Poland, in the United States of America Baroque continued well into the 19th century.



Just a small selection of 19th century daguerreotypes from the fascinating collection of Library of Congress reveals so much melancholy in the images of people;

Still Life with tree and two small stuffed mammals

Including the images of detritus and decay so well arranged Vanitas in the early nature shots.

Christmas 2014

It was only the second time that I have been to the Ottawa Cathedral.
Impressive amount of wood carving with polichrome decorative painting, faux marbling, dark blue painted ceilings with stars - delightful.

Beautiful ceremonies and observances of the Christmas concert and the Midnight mass were memorable. The organ sounded very full, played by a young female organist.
The attendance and the clergy visibly international.
The crowd was jolly and relaxed.

Visual efects - my first braided bread

Hey, I have been very busy, like everybody else these days.

But in terms of special visual effects, here is my first braided bread.
4 parts - I know, I got a little lost somewhere, but it doesn't show much - it is fabulously looking and tasty.
I just couldn't resist, had to show it -->

Happy Birthday

Somebody turned an even 30 and all I was able to send him at such short notice are the last geraniums of 2014.

They bloomed profusely and some were brought in so I can do again some healthy propagation for the 2015 flower containers.
It worked well last winter...

It's been very cold and the snow melts as the rain heralds the coming of short-lived thaw-to be.

Saint Martin's

Today is my Son's patron's day - Saint Martin.
100 years ago broke off a long war that four years later ended on Nov. 11, at 11 a.m. in a train, with an Armistice.
The terms of which, and the subsequent treaties Hitler never forgot nor fogave.

Collection of the Canadian War Museum

This is one of my very favourite IWW paintings, it depicts a Canadian field hospital located in a war time deconsecrated church, somewhere in France.
The blue dresses of the nurses are beautiful, the veils are starched, the foliage is painted in a still Fin-de-secle-like manner.
Hmm, the church was bombed and everyone died.
Lest We Forget.

Image of Home

Again I was lucky to visit Home, which is where my parents live.
I was lucky again to be able to photograph more of my dear Mom's paintings.
This painting is older than I and and its view was one of the items that accompanied my whole childhood and beyond.
Every time I see it, I become this nostalgic view.

Bozena Ratajczak, ca 1956, watercolour, white guache

Mother has known and admired of course Wyspianski's Planty at Dawn.
She chose her own view, perhaps it was a young talented woman's hommage to a greatly admired artist.

More mentions on my Mothers art can be found here:
The Eagle Has Landed and here: Snow!
and here: Mother's Watercolours on Canvas

Needless to say, I continue to collect a Limited Edition of my Mother's watercolours and other paintings, reproductions ave become available. It is expanded even as we speak.

Antique Roses

I visited my Mother again and this time I couldn't resist trying to capture this particular scent of the past.

The "Force" was strong, the colour  of roses was vivid and the feel of vintage linens fresh and crisp.
Many belonged to my grandmother, that makes my eyes wet.

Here is a glimpse....

Thoughts on one self...

Beautiful fashion

I found this image from the fashion catalogue of some hundred years ago or just a little under.
Couldn't resist stashing it so I could share it and enjoy its beauty.
Those dresses are soooo unbelievably artful and beautiful.

Ist World War Colour Photographs

For the longest time I was planning to share my little stash of those amazing photographs.
Yes, they are truly in colour, not tinted - Autochrome process (you know, the died potato starch etc)

Since I focused on their visual aspect, not the documentary - I did not collect the titles, sites etc.
Those are views of France and again, it is one of the ways I do Remember the Great War.

Those photos are sourced from once posted public archive.
I do not recall the exact site, but against that very event, I stashed some for future sharing.
I hope you will find the as fascinating as I do.