Saturday 20 February 2016

Lindisfarne Priory and Castle, Holy Island, Northumberland


These are photographs of Lindisfarne Priory and distant views of the castle both situated on Holy Island, Northumberland, England. The castle was built in 1550 though much changed in 1901 by Edwin Lutyens.  Priory stone was used as building material for the castle when it was built, and when the Priory was disused.

Friday 8 January 2016

Alcohol, 2 'sign the pledge' 19th century samplers


2 antique samplers embroidered onto card. During the mid 19th century several Temperance movements in England  started up decrying the drinking of alcohol. These samplers were made by people who wanted to declare their abstinence, they were 'signing the pledge'. The Salvation Army was established in the 1860s.


Sunday 10 May 2015

Sicilian shoemaker with a magnificent face!









Portrait of a Sicilian shoemaker. What a wonderful 'lived in' face! Painting by Tessa Bennett.

Friday 24 April 2015

Sicily, Palermo, sublime Italian plasterwork on a Prince's palace staircase.






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The magnificent plasterwork in these photos forms part of the grand entrance to Prince Allessandro 11 Filangero Palace in Palermo, Sicily.    Italian plasterers and architects were mainly trained in Rome.






Tuesday 21 April 2015

Sicily, Palermo hangs out the washing with style!












Palermo, Sicily.
Colourful washing hangs, without shame, on balconies and folding racks on pavements.


Sunday 19 April 2015

Sicilian graffiti!





Some Sicilian graffiti!
 The word graffiti comes from the Italian word graffiato (scratched). Today's graffiti generally expresses social and political slogans. In ancient times the Egyptians, Romans, Arabs, Greeks, also the Vikings and ancient Mayans, displayed phrases and decorations of love and simple words of thought. Sicilian graffiti is widespread and interesting, sometimes written on buildings of great architectural importance, but almost always artistic, colourful, and straight from the heart.   

Sunday 5 April 2015