Saturday 28 February 2009

Wednesday 18 February 2009

Musing: Portrait of a Young Girl with a Prayer Book by Agnolo Bronzino



1541-1545


Agnolo Bronzino was a Florentine painter and poet who was widely known for his beautiful portraits (he painted many of them in Cosimo di Medici's court) and exquisite style. His models looked often cold and distant, as the young girl we see here. She is not very happy, is she? The prayer book, which she holds with a delicate hand, may be a reminder of a religious upbringing. I don't think she chose the subject herself - you can almost picture it: a small, indifferent girl thinking of the hours to come, hours of sitting, being dressed up in her finest clothes, a mother giving her a small prayer book, then they explain to her how to sit, how to hold the prayer book etc. And so, she is immortalized.

The Excessively Diverting Blog Award

Musica & Arte has been nominated by Tempus Fugit for an Excessively Diverting Blog Award .
Started by the blogging team at Jane Austen Today the "aim of the Excessively Diverting Blog Award is to acknowledge writing excellence in the spirit of Jane Austen’s genius in amusing and delighting readers with her irony, humor, wit, and talent for keen observation. Recipients will uphold the highest standards in the art of the sparkling banter, witty repartee, and gentle reprove."

I'm most flattered, thank you, Doctor! Now, I have to nominate seven other blogs, but unfortunately most of them I would nominate has been nominated already, so here follows:

A Thousand Clapping Hands - beautiful postings, and even more beautiful pictures! It's a joy to visit her blog.


Tea at Trianon - Always informative and very interesting posts about Marie-Antoinette, traditions and culture!


Enchanted by Josephine - Wonderful blog about history, historical fiction and Josephine & Napoleon, of course!


Recipients, please claim your award by copying the HTML code of the Excessively Diverting Blog Award badge, posting it on your blog, listing the name of the person who nominated you, and linking to their blog. Then nominate seven other blogs that you feel meet or exceed the standards set forth. Nominees may place the Excessively Diverting badge in their side bar and enjoy the appreciation of their fellow blogger for recognition of their talent.

Thursday 5 February 2009

J.S Bach: Concerto for four harpsichords (BWV 1065)


A. Vivaldi: Trio Sonata "La Follia" in D Minor RV63

(I'm not sure if I have posted this piece before... well, you'll have to remind me then! :)

I just have to say how much I dislike this new manner Youtube has - putting the title on the video like that. So undecorative!!