Cabinet of Curiosities

By Mary Jo Gibson

August 31, 2012

The changes of the season will soon be upon us, but as the last days of summer wane, I bring a new Cabinet of Curiosities with several bits of interest. The cabinet picture is from the Victoria and Albert Museum, showing a Japanese lacquered incense box that may have belonged to Queen Marie-Antoinette of France.  The museum’s team of scientists have tested the materials and found that metals such as gold, silver and tin were used to decorate the surface, and what was thought to be red coral is actually made with a red pigment called vermilion.  Let’s open the drawers a take a look inside…

Restoration Secrets from the Vatican

Museum Secrets has added new content to their website, including an interactive tool for users to experience restoration of a fresco.  A back story tells of restoration work in the Papal apartments on several masterpieces by Raphael.  Old repairs that concealed damage to the faces of several popes revealed the name of the leader of the Protestant Reformation, Martin Luther.  How did this name appear on a work of Catholic religious art?  Find out at their link, Museum Secrets.

Opening up the Soane

The Soane Museum in London has added a video to their site showing the unique restoration project that is currently being undertaken.  Their archival library includes an inventory of all objects from Sir John Soane himself, and several books with watercolor drawings of the rooms.  Armed with this research, the restoration will be completed to the highest satisfaction of the donor’s standards.  The video offers a glimpse of the miniscule water closet, which contains one of the smallest sinks I have ever seen.  Take five minutes and find your imagination in awe of what awaits behind the door at Soane’s private residence in London, there is even a sarcophagus in the basement.

What exactly is a Cotehardie?

Clothing through the ages has changed radically, with art recording the variety of the times.  The Cotehardie was the first tailored garment in European history.  Prior to this, clothes were a variation on a bag with sleeves and a hole for your head, not exactly flattering.  An enterprising individual whose name has been lost through the passage of time experimented with cutting the fabric to fit the body like a glove, and a revolution began.  Images from art of the period showing women dressed in Cotehardies can be found at this link.

The true journey of the lost sock

I never thought that an old pair of stockings would have any significance, but a small collection from the Costume Institute is available on the Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History.  This particular pair dates from the late 18^th century, made of silk with metallic thread.  A gift from Henri-Marcel Cadgene in 1955, I am truly amazed at what people have stored away in their homes.  I doubt the television program Hoarders would find anything of this value, but there is the possibility.

Tudor Roses and enough history to fill volumes

This emblem of King Henry VIII, the Tudor Rose, represents the combination of the House of York and the House of Lancaster.  When Henry took the crown of England from Richard III in battle, he brought about the end of the War of the Roses.    Given the symbolism and branding through the centuries at the historic King’s College Chapel, a virtual tour with explanations would greatly enhance their website.  Perhaps writers of the Dan Brown variety will find inspiration in this storied chapel.  Founded in 1446, I am sure there is some historical intrigue that can be fleshed out through research.  After all, master masons of the highest caliber were involved in the construction and decoration of this historic place.

Another lost Masterpiece makes news

Horse and Rider, the only known three dimensional piece of art created by Leonardo da Vinci was unveiled this week.  Taken from a 504 year old beeswax image, the sculpture is believed to contain a thumbprint of Leonardo.  Created in 1508 as gift for his patron, French military governor Charles d’Ambroise, it measures 12 inches high and 7 inches wide, and believed to be intended as a model for a much larger sculpture.  After Leonardo’s death in 1519, it was given to his apprentice, Francesco Mezi, remaining in the family until 1930.

When studied in detail, it was discovered that along the horse’s right breast a thumbprint exists.  While there is no possible verification available, it is believed to be Leonardo’s.

The beeswax sculpture was authenticated by Dr. Carlo Pedretti, widely considered the world’s foremost authority on Leonardo, and professor emeritus of art history and the Chair of Leonardo studies at UCLA.    The statue is currently on display at the Imagine Exhibition Gallery at the Venetian Hotel, Las Vegas.

Around the world with a virtual vacation

If funds are scarce this holiday weekend, take a tour from Best Places in the World.  Beautiful photographs of unusual points of interest across the world.  A short description of the historical context is just enough to whet the appetite for more research.  This photo of Mont Saint-Michel in France gives the briefest of vignettes, but the Wiki page provides a depth of detail.

Thank you for joining me for this week’s Cabinet of Curiosities.  Museum Monday will offer a virtual tour of the historic Red Rocks Amphitheater and their museum.  Join me for some of the most beautiful views outside the city of Denver, and a little music to complete the experience.

Cheers,

MJ

What I am reading over the holiday weekend.

Cabinet of Curiosities

1777-81, Roll top desk, Waddesdon, The Rothschild Collection

March 31, 2012

By Mary Jo Gibson

Welcome to my Cabinet of Curiosities, where I share some of the interesting and unique places I have discovered on the internet as I research history and art.

My latest discovery comes from the Victorian era; the resurgence of this influence is reflected in the Steampunk genre of writing and art, most predominately seen in the latest Sherlock Holmes movies.  Victorian Crime and Punishment offers a true compendium of the justice of the day based on real case histories.  Photographs of the criminals are linked to case studies with stories of the crimes taken from the archive.  A narrative section with animated features accompanies the photograph by clicking on the tab ‘View the Case.’  Each story is moving and eye opening, describing the daily struggles of these individuals, and the lot life has cast for them.  Guides for teachers are an added bonus, making this a great resource for educators and novices alike.

Illuminated Manuscripts

Digitized manuscripts are coming from great institutions everywhere; these long hidden works of art that once were only viewed by their privileged owners are available online from several sources.  The British Library’s archive covers over 500 years of these impressive, handmade books.  A first draft of Handel’s Messiah, a notebook of Leonardo da Vinci sketches, Alice’s Adventures Underground, written and illustrated by Lewis Carroll, and the Bedford Hours, a 15^th century treasure owned by Henry V’s brother, the Regent of France.  I chose the Sforza Hours because of their connection to the Borgias, one of my favorite historical subjects.  These images are some of the finest surviving Renaissance manuscripts.  The lavish decoration of the book was painted in two stages; the first around 1490 for Bona Sforza, widow of Galeazzo Sforza, Duke of Milan; the second for her nephew’s widow, Margaret of Austria, Regent of the Netherlands, who inherited the manuscript in 1504.

Bona Sforza, 1449-1503

Sforza Hours illuminated page

Giovan Pietro Birago, Bona Sforza’s miniaturist, had completed and delivered part of the book when a substantial section of the remainder was stolen, never to be returned.   Thirty years later, between 1517 and 1520, Margaret of Austria commissioned Gerard Horenbout to paint 16 additional miniatures to fill the gaps caused by the theft, to complement Birago’s work.

Looted Cultural Masterpieces

Ceilia Gallerani, mistress of Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan, Lady with Ermine, Leonardo da Vinci

The past few weeks, new reports about Nazi looted art have been appearing in the press, hopefully to ignite a new wave of support.  The New York Times  shares the story of Monet’s “Torrent de la Creuse,” and the twisted tale of powerful French families fighting over its rumored existence.  One particular fact in this long running affair struck me, “new clues could come when archives from a 1949 war-crimes trial of a German diplomat who organized the looting are unsealed in 2024.”  2024?  What kind of justice is this?  I have written to the Claims Conference on Jewish Material Claims against Germany for further information and look forward to their response.  I plan to share this in a future Museum Monday devoted to looted cultural property.

Torrent de la Creuse, Monet

Church at Elligen, Germany, filled with looted art

Another story making the rounds is the upcoming expedition to the Erzgebirge Mountains.  Artinfo.com  had the most complete story, balancing all the facts against the sensationalism of this possible discovery.  Pieces by Monet, Cezanne and Manet may be secreted in an old silver mine in the Erzgebirge Mountains near the Czech-German border.  These works would be from the collection of Baron Ferenc Hatvany, missing over 60 years.  The twists and turns of the story are worthy of John le Carre, but one thing is certain, art stolen during this era tends to trickle out into the mainstream eventually, given the economic turmoil of the day.  Whatever the true intentions of the parties involved if any art is found, the return of the cultural masterpieces will close a chapter, but the story will never be complete.

Wentworth Woodhouse

Another English country estate has crossed my path of research, Wentworth Woodhouse; truly massive, with 365 rooms, 1,000 windows, five miles of underground passages and a front façade twice the size of Buckingham Palace.  Marble floors, 150 acres of park land, and so many winding corridors guests were once presented with caskets of colored confetti to sprinkle in order to find their way back to their rooms; the very definition of opulence.

Tomb of William Wentworth, Earl of Strafford

Built between 1725 and 1750 for Thomas Watson-Wentworth, the Marquess of Rockingham, prime ministers, earls and millionaires have made it their home.  The death of the last Earl of Fitzwilliam in 1948 left no direct heir, leading to a sale of the contents and a split in the ownership.  The true tragedy being that the house was never opened to the public after WWII as were most of the stately homes.  A series of private owners and institutions over the remaining years left it languishing in South Yorkshire.

The property was rescued through a purchase in 1999 by the Newbold family for a paltry sum; plans to restore the magnificent structure and bring the palatial pile to prominence in the local community once again has catalyzed interest on an international scale.  Plans include a museum, 70 bed luxury hotel, spa, conference facilities and office space, the goal is to secure the future of the house and place it in a charitable trust for new generations to enjoy.

The Wiki page describing the architectural history of the house is somewhat cumbersome, but worth the look to discover more about the history of this estate.

Titania Palace

A veteran of the Boer War sits outside sketching, while his young, imaginative daughter plays in the garden.  The child’s excited insistence of seeing fairies amongst the trees roots, darting away to their underground dwelling, sparks a thought that soon evolves into a thirty year labor of love.

The construction of Titania’s Palace began in 1907 by Sir Nevile Wilkinson, designed as a dwelling place for the Fairy Queen Titania, and her family.  Consisting of 18 rooms, with hand carved mahogany furniture and more than 3000 miniature treasures from all over the world, the structure never became his daughter’s playhouse, Gwendolyn Wilkinson grew up before its completion.  Sir Nevile had more profound plans for his masterpiece; Queen Mary inaugurated the palace in 1922, and exhibitions around the world raised substantial funds for deprived and handicapped children.

A great history of this handmade masterpiece can be found here, with several accompanying photos describing the contents.  The palace has been exhibited in Denmark since 1980.

A Pope’s Ring

The Metropolitan Museum of Art never fails to find at least one unique item that rouses my curiosity each week.  Having never visited this great repository of art, I wonder if I would ever see enough to satisfy my endless thirst for art and history.  A week doesn’t seem long enough.

This ring made of gilt brass with blue glass dates to 1464-71, the reign of Pope Paul II.  At the corners of the bezel are emblems of the four Evangelists, and on the sides are the shield of Paul II and that of the French crown.  Papal rings have been used as investitures to establish diplomatic credentials, much like the Medici used carved jewels to establish their influence.  An accompanying essay on the Church during the Renaissance is available at the Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History.

Closing this week’s Cabinet of Curiosities, I leave you with the first flowers of spring, by Jean Baptiste Monnoyer (1636-1699), from the High Museum of Art.

Join me for Museum Monday where I explore the City of New York, compliments of the iPad app, Museum Planet.  Buildings, parks, antique stained glass, and their history tell the story of this ever changing landscape.  Museum Planet will also be featured in an upcoming Reader’s Digest article in April.

Until then,

Cheers,

Mary Jo