We're taking a Valentine's Day break from our Altadena hike.This is a close-up on the Cinderella Tile Panel at the Huntington Art Gallery in San Marino. The card on the wall next to it says the panel was originally created to adorn a fireplace. The tiles were painted by Lucy Faulkner, sister of William Morris's partner Charles Faulkner after a design by Edward Burne-Jones, and manufactured by Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Company in London in 1862.
I think the tale of Cinderella is appropriate for today because in the story, the couple can't be together until she reveals her true self to him. Yeah, yeah, yeah, she has to fit the glass slipper. And yeah, yeah, yeah, it's a rags to riches story of virtue conquering tyranny. But fairy tales are also allegorical. Love is about sharing our truest selves with each other and accepting our loved ones in all of their forms, from the glorious to the base.
Tomorrow we'll return to Altadena, with an announcement!
24 comments:
This tile panel is beautiful.
Happy Valentines Day, Petrea !
They just don't make fireplaces (or love stories) like that anymore.
One of my favourite fairy tales!
One of my favourite fairy tales!
Good choice, very romantic. You and Laurie are the staunch defenders of Valentines Day.
Here's a song for all the other romantics:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEdCDu3xCrQ
I think I see Sir Francis Bacon in there.
I'm not a defender of Valentine's Day. I'm a defender of love. I acknowledge the day's existence, but the concept is seriously flawed. For some it's a cruel reminder of loneliness, for others it's a guilt trip ("buy something--anything!"). Perhaps I should have noted that in the post.
There's another way to look at it. For that I suggest people take a look at Laurie's V Day post. She has a point.
Perfect choice for Valentine's Day. I love these old representations of classic tales. I still have a lot of my mother's old fairy tale books with beautiful illustrations.
I am very much missing my Valentine today.
Beautifully said!
Hi Bibi, yes, I thought of that while commenting at your place. I only know it's good to have love and to be consciously grateful for it while it's here.
Merci, B Squared!
Love is about sharing our truest selves with each other and accepting our loved ones in all of their forms, from the glorious to the base. (True)
4get Altadena - stay with Love!
P, you're just a love machine.
What you said, Petrea!
Gorgeous post. And yes, I'm a defender of anything that forces people to take a chance on love. To me, Valentine's Day is kind of like a costume party. Sure, you can say it's a silly thing to do, grown ups dressing up in costumes, it's undignified and unimportant in the scheme of things. You can avoid the party altogether or show up in your jeans. But you'll have a lot more fun if you get in the spirit and dress up. To me, Valentine's Day is a great excuse to jump into the spirit of things.
I'm parked over at Pasadena Adjacent these days
Beautiful rendering. If you hadn't said it was done on tile I would have guessed egg tempra. They must like you at the Huntington. When I pull my camera out they're on me like white on rice.
Hey, did I say it wrong? I liked the post, and I attached a Placido song that is one of my favorites. Sorry if it was misunderstood.
That I am, CO, and I don't think the hiker disagrees. Listen to the song she posted!
Laurie, you say it so well. I liked your post. Wait. No. It's love day. I'll say it: I loved your post.
PA, I've never had a problem at the Huntington. I've asked and always been told non-flash photography is no problem. The only place they haven't let me take pictures is the recent Greene & Greene exhibit.
Karin: see my note to CO.
Hey, P, did I say it wrong? I wasn't commenting on KB's comment. I was referring to your post. Sorry, if it was misunderstood.
To me V-Day is a time 4 eating more chocolate.
Oh what a treat to see these tiles today. I adore Burne-Jones and Morris & Co. and that aesthetic of the Pre-Rafaelites that contributed so much to the Arts and Crafts movement in architecture and furnishings. Tiles hold a special attraction for me, and I would always delight in coming upon handmade ones in Berkeley homes when we lived there. How cool to see these from the Huntington.
I love your thoughts about the fullness of revelation and acceptance in love relationships. They ring true, true, TRUE. That trust from being so well known and so well loved in spite of the less attractive traits is the only basis for a lasting love.
Happy Valentine's Day to you and your husband, Petrea!
-Kim
Seattle Daily Photo
I like your interpretation of this love story ... and it's applicability to Valentine's Day. So nice to see below the surface! Happy Valentine's Day to you and your husband, Petrea!
Beautiful!! I just love Cinderella...
Happy Valentine's Day!
Gotcha, CO.
Thank you, Kim, for your heartfelt comment. So glad you like the tiles! Next time I'm there I'll see if I can get a good shot of the whole panel for you.
Thanks, Chuck! Woohoo! The full complement from Seattle today!
Merci, Christi, and happy V-Day to you.
H:...
If I profane with my unworthiest hand
This holy shrine, the gentle fine is this--
My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand
To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss.
Happy V-Day to you and your husband. Interesting post and intriguing comments. I like V-Day and see it as a reminder of how important love is.
Well, you know, it was a saint's day observation on the Christian calendar originally. But like Christmas, you have to make your own interpretation of what is most meaningful to you about the example set by the one remembered... I sound like I got no romance going... I'm revealing too much... uh... Happy V Day!
Love is grand!
Post a Comment