Teruel. 19 February 2011. Medieval weekend. A tribute to Teruel Lovers.

The best way to understand past times is ...

... getting into them.

Girolamo Savonarola. Renaissance. Florence

Girolamo Savonarola

Girolamo Savonarola´s statue in Ferrara.

San Marco Monastery.

Savonarola´s execution

Savonarola´s execution spot. Florence.

 

Arnolfini Marriage. Jan van Eyck. Renaissance painting

*Van Eyck´s masterpiece is an allegory of marriage. It shows a wedding between Giovanni Arnolfini, an Italian merchant and Jeanne Cenami. It can be regarded as a marriage certificate as the essential elements for this celebration are gathered here. (See n. 10)

*The wedding takes place at home and there are several symbols which enhance the importance of the ocassion:

1. Both characters are barefoot. We can see shoes in the foreground and another pair at the back. Removing shoes can be understood as a sign of respect.

2. Giovanni´s right hand is raised. This might be the moment of an oath.

3. Jeanne´s hand is resting on Giovanni´s as a sign of support. Their hands are right over the dog which symbolizes fidelity.

4. The apple on the window sill/ledge represents good health and fertility..

5. The tangerines represent fertility

6. The woman looks pregnant but she is not. The type of dress shapes her womb like that trying to represent the forthcoming motherhood/maternity.

7. The sunlight getting in through the window shows that God is present.

8. The only candle lighting on the lamp also shows the presence of God.

9. The red bed shows the union of both man and woman.

10. The ornament carved on the wooden headboard is Santa Margarita, the patron saint of childbirth.

11. The mirror reflects two witnesses. One of them is the painter himself. This is why no priest was needed for this ceremony.

12. The mirror is surrounded by ten images of Jesus Christ´s life.

13. The picture is signed by the painter with the sentence: "Jan van Eyck fuit hic" (Jan van Eyck was here) and  the year 1434.

14. The rosary hanging on the left-hand side shows the importance of praying.

15. The garments /clothes show these people belong to a new social which was emerging; the bourgeoisie.

16. This incredible painting can be enjoyed at the National Gallery in London.

                  

Madonna with child and two angels. Fra Filippo Lippi. 1445

Madonna with child and two angels. XV century. 

EGYPTIAN WONDERS. By courtesy of Luis Enrique Blas Barba.

Kom Ombo. Temple of Hororis and Sobek.

Pyramids of Gizeh

Abu Simbel Temple.

Philae Aswan Temple.

Philae Aswan Temple.

Temple of Edfu. Temple of Horus.

Temple of Edfu. Temple of Horus.

Hatschepsut´s Funerary Temple.

Artisans Valley.

Medinat Habu. Funerary temple. Ramses III

Luxor Temple.

Karnak. Temple of Amon.

Karnak. Temple of Amon.

Luxor Temple.

Medinat Habu. Funerary temple. Ramses III

Medinat Habu. Funerary temple. Ramses III

Pyramids and sphinx

Rosetta stone.

Rome. Roman wonders.

Coliseum.

Coliseum basement.

The Catacombs.

Roman Forum

Trajan´s Column

Trajan´s column in detail.

Roman Theatre. Parts.

Roman Theatre. Mérida.

Aqueduct.

The Three Greek Orders. Doric, Ionian, Corinthian.

The Three Greek Orders can be shown in the columns.

Hephaistos Temple. Doric.

Erectheium. Ionian (Jónico)

Zeus Temple. Corinthian