A Glimpse Into Eternity is a photograph by Connie Handscomb which was uploaded on March 4th, 2014.
Title
A Glimpse Into Eternity
Artist
Connie Handscomb
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
For one
brief
moment,
she closed her eyes,
drowning
in her dreams,
glimpsing
the magic
of
Eternity
~ C.
* ------------------------ *
Tulip
Genus : Tulipa spp.
Family : Liliaceae
The tulip grew wild abundantly in the central Asia mountains, in China & Mongolia, in North Africa, and later throughout Europe. Tulip designs have been found on pottery dating back to 2200 BC. So, while one might tend to think of Netherlands as home of the tulip, it was actually first cultivated in Turkey, grown in the palace gardens of the sultans, and is in fact the national flower of Hungary, Turkey & the "Tulip state" Kyrgyzstan. Turkey held the first tulip festivals - it represents abundance and indulgence - and Istanbul still hosts them. Its name is derived from the Turkish word for 'turban' (tulband) because of its shape. As a cultural symbol of the Ottoman Empire, it appeared on textiles, ceramics, woodcarvings and many other art forms.
The Flemish ambassador wrote of it, and it is believed a botanical professor, Charles de L'Ecluse, brought the tulip to Holland in 1593, having purchased it in Istanbul. The professor admired the work of the Flemish painter Paul Rubens, and after the tulip was propagated at Leiden University, it was shipped to him. Painters loved to paint the tulip. The Golden Age of Dutch painting was abundant with still life compositions of the tulip. Special tulip books were published, as were catalogues for wealthy collectors.
In 1630, one single bulb was exchanged for:
2 wheat loads, 4 rye loads, 4 fat oxen, 8 fat pigs, 12 fat sheep, 2 bogsheads of wine, 4 barrels of beer, 2 barrels of butter, 1,000 lbs. of cheese, a bed, a suit of clothes, and a silver beaker.
By the 17th c., 'Tulipmania' was in full swing: a single bulb was worth the equivalent price today of a house and a garden. The Dutch created formal geometrically shaped gardens and fountains in the Italian fashion, and the plants became "botanized" (grown for decorative qualities) whereas previously they had been kept by physicians and cooks. Initially the blooms were simple, with limited range of colours; then doubles began appearing, and the 'broken' tulips - much prized - those with intricately flamed, striped or feathered petals. No one knew then that their beauty was caused by a virus brought on by aphids, and even though the plant was inevitably weakened by it, the blooms became the most popular. It became known as the world's florists' flower, and the more brilliant and lively it was, the more it was loved.
Today, 15 groups with approximately 2,600 varieties of tulips exist, with Holland exporting 60% of the world's tulips. The species bulbs are, of course, more vigorous than the weaker hybrids which tend not to lose vigour after a year or two but whichever is used, it is now the 'people's flower' , cherished by all.
Sources:
Fifty Plants that changed the Course of History (Bill Laws)
Four Chefs, One Garden : Seasons Of West Coast Living [Roy]
Painterly Plants [Clare Foster; Photog.Ruber]
The Romantic Language Of Flowers [Davies; Saunders]
* ---------------------------- *
Taken in natural light ; Undedited; Uncropped, : Nature in all its natural splendour.
* ---------------------------- *
♥ Heartfelt Gratitude to FAA groups for featuring this image :
Orange - Yellow - Red Photos and Paints
Worldwide Abstract and Digital Art
♥ Heartfelt Gratitude to the collector for taking this image home ... this image was SOLD!
Uploaded
March 4th, 2014
More from Connie Handscomb
Comments (16)
Connie Handscomb
Thank you very much, Tina! for featuring this image in Worldwide Abstract and Digital Art :))
Carla Parris
Saw this in a current contest, and it is beautiful!! v and tw
Connie Handscomb replied:
You're so kind, Carla; thank you for taking time to come back to me & comment; your support is appreciated more than you know :))
Connie Handscomb
Thank you so much! to the buyer in West Vancouver, Canada for taking this image to a new home :))
Theresa Tahara
Wow, love the pink and gold. f/l
Connie Handscomb replied:
... of course, if you prefer Tea to a fine claret .. I can see what I can muster up; thank you, Theresa .. .truly ;)))
Variance Collections
Gorgeous colors! love the abstract quality.
Connie Handscomb replied:
Thank you! I've been playing around .. & enjoying .. abstracts more & more, lately :)))
Amy Vangsgard
I love your bold palette and composition. This would make any wall look spectacular. L/F
Connie Handscomb replied:
Amy, thank you so very much! .. & so very nice to meet you; what a lovely thing to say .. you made my heart smile :)))
Mahmoud FineArt
Lovely Capture, Love the colors and details. great work. V/F
Connie Handscomb replied:
Hello, Mahmoud .. & my {very belated!} thank you !- I've only now seen your kindness here :)))
Connie Handscomb
Colette, you have both surprised & delighted me with your feature of this image in "Orange - Yellow - Red Photos and Paints" ; thank you so much!
Colette V Hera Guggenheim
Excellent Photograph ,Features into the Groups around /L&fAV
Connie Handscomb replied:
Colette ... Hello! At last we meet, & a pleasure to be sure; thank you very much!
Aaron Whittemore
Beautiful back light and warm color, Nature's abstract. Nicely done, Connie.
Connie Handscomb replied:
Hi Aaron! .. indeed, yes .. & Nature does it best {I'm just the intermediary} ; thank you so much - hope all is well with you.
Debbie Portwood
Love this one as well! Fantastic series!! f/love!!
Connie Handscomb replied:
Hello, Debbie & you are greatly appreciated for taking time here on my behalf ; I am happy you like what I've done here ;)))
Sharon Mau
. . ★ . . wonderful back lighting . beautiful colour tones . . ★ . .
Connie Handscomb replied:
Sharon .. always a joy to see you, & thank you! for your comment ... the light was 'just so' that day .. so Voila! .. we have a tulip image :)))
Lisa Knechtel
Gorgeous colours and composition. L
Connie Handscomb replied:
Hi Lisa! thank you! ... won't be long before we see more blooming for the season :)))
Linda Seifried
You have some really lovely floral abstracts here!
Connie Handscomb replied:
Thank you very much, Linda! glad you came by .. & very glad you like them :))) {this one}