Saturday, March 24, 2007

Remigio Cantagallina / Giulio Parigi

"A Musical Boat in the Arno, with Sea Gods and Tritons, for the wedding festivites of the Duke of Tuscany, circa 1608."


"From the series Ships of the Argonauts, a mock naval battle on the Arno on 3 November 1608 designed by Giulio Parigi to celebrate the wedding of Cosimo II, Grand Duke of Tuscany and Marie Madelaine of Austria, 1608."


"The Ship of the Argonauts Idmone and Mopso, Guided by Apollo, for the wedding festivites of the Duke of Tuscany, circa 1608."

quotes and imagery found here.

Friday, March 23, 2007

Jacques Callot - The Combat At The Barrier

Here's a selection of etching and engravings by Callot which display incredible conceptual works for the Baroque Thearical Performance of "Le Combat a la Barriere."

"part of a set made to record an extravagant spectacle held by the Duke of Lorraine at his court in Nancy. The performance opened with the entry of the participants on elaborate floats. This was followed by a jousting tournament, carefully staged to assure the duke's victory.

Callot's prints, together with a description of the spectacle and a transcription of its dialogue, made up a festival book that documented the events. This book was widely collected by the courts of Europe, and had considerable influence on stage design." quote from here.

Thursday, March 22, 2007

The Bunyip
"This is a fierce creature from Australia. Amphibious by nature, it has the appearance of a giant seal or even a hippopotamus, It is greatly feared, for it enjoys the taste of human flesh, particularly the more tender flesh of women and children." quote from here.

The above black and white watercolor painting of one of these beasts is from 1935, artist unknown.

Additional links concerning the creature can be found here here and here.

And an illustration of a Bunyip or an oversized dog ruining the chest cavity of a swimmer.