for many years my association with lavender-and its offspring-lavender mauve and the old lavenders revolved around my mother's elegant and somewhat off putting, Aunt Maude. She subscribed to these Victorianish matronly hues-these were the colors she wore. Maude was once a beauty, tallish- and still quite an imposing presence.
young Maude, on her wedding day, & as I always saw her as the lady in lavender
I begin collecting amethyst about 20 years ago-it is the one thing I have consistently continued with. Geodes, jewelry and some handbags.
In 2005 I added the color to my decorating palette.
thank you Maude.
many of the inspired works are favorites and I find constant inspiration from BWS at It's about Time the blog here-some of the images are from her own overwhelming library of knowledge. at It's About Time works are presented by artists, themes, styles- and always with great deference to the artists and with little critique-leaving that to the viewer and Time.
the artists: Paul Swan "Isadora Duncan", Degas "The Milliners", Ensor "The Souvenirs", Liotard "Maria of Austria" a young Marie Antoinette, Gorgione " A Young Man", Gustave van de Woestyne "Portret van Prudence De Schepper Boldini "Portrait of Lina Cavalierii", Pietro Fabris "Stones and Crystals"
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Love your eclectic ode to lavender. I have just started incorporating a bit of this color in my wardrobe. Although I never thought I could wear it, I'm discovering that it works for me mixed with brown or gray. It hasn't quite made inroads into my decor. Thank you for the introduction to It's About Time - looking forward to going there next!
ReplyDeleteBelongs fabulously in an omelette, by itself, with a sparse scattering in sight for its hue.
ReplyDeleteAunts with special Nieces...WE could only hope to inspire beyond our breathe. Love all the geodes and that Ensor...never could see Marie Antoinette's likeness as seen by Liotard in all the other images done of her up to her death - but he WAS the best.
ReplyDeleteAn Ode to Lavender, a special card from Parthenia?
I must say that I love that little notebook you sent...I took it to the Norton Simon for notes while touring as a potential docent - it felt like a missalette as I wrote.
I rather adore lavender.
ReplyDeleteBut when it veers off into mauve, I get a little queasy.
I love your amethyst collection. I have a collection of toy sewing machines, and the interesting thing about them is that when you look at one individually, the effect is feminine, but when you look at the entire collection (a little industrial revolution) the effect seems masculine. The collection of geodes strikes me the same way. Does that impression seem strange to you?
ReplyDeleteDon't forget lilac. And orchid. Along with lavender and mauve, all four colors are marvelous compliments to neoclassical furnishings.
ReplyDeleteNow, with lilac, John ("TDC"), we think blond sunburn and blue eyes. Is there really, actually, truly no end to wallpaper's sublimation of the flesh?
ReplyDeleteThe paintings you have added with your collections would make anyone believe. The Boldini and the photographe it paires with is a marvelous one. The dark hair and the dark floor make the work and the room.
ReplyDeleteYou must have a copy of Simon Garfield's Mauve: How One Man Invented A Color That Changed The World. I adore that book and concede that mauve is indeed "life-changing"
ReplyDeletethe book A Dictionary of Color 1930 lists at least 20 variations on the lav theme.
ReplyDeletehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lavender_%28color%29
wiki breaks down the info.
What intrigues me about this color is its range from the palest to a plum- to a very gray lavender-which was Aunt Maude.
Lucinda, as always you head me in a new and uncharted direction, must investigate that one! thanks
ReplyDeleteMark, part of it's charm? I think so, it is the same as the Patti Smith quote I am fond of on gender and artists!
ReplyDeleteThe Swan glad you like the notebook, they do have a way of making us think-it is one of my things I have to keep by my side.
Dear Gaye, what a wonderful collection of pictures. I love this colour. I have big chunks of amethyst all over the place too. I was collecting alexandrite but a clumsy cleaner broke quite a few pieces.
ReplyDeleteI don't have any furniture in this colour, I may have to do something about this. Yet again you have inspired me xx
Ah, lavender! Makes me think of summer. Your visual paean has set off my taste buds--the lavender in my garden will be blooming, and I'll be preparing batches of lavender lemonade, a treat from bygone days. I can almost taste it...
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