Springtime Classic
by Connie Handscomb
Title
Springtime Classic
Artist
Connie Handscomb
Medium
Photograph - Photography - Fine Art
Description
The life of archetypes is timeless and unlimited.
~ Jolande Jacobi [fr.Complex Archetype Symbol]
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Tulip
Genus : Tulipa spp.
Family : Liliaceae
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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.
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]
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Captured in natural light; unaltared; unedited .. .nature in all its natural splendour.
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♥ Heartfelt Gratitude to FAA groups for featuring this image :
Tulip Macros
All Springtime Photography
Roses And Tulips
Lady Photographers And Artists
The Niche
Uploaded
March 7th, 2016
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Viewed 147 Times - Last Visitor from Milpitas, CA on 04/07/2024 at 1:28 AM
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Comments (15)
Abstract Alien Artist Stephen Killeen
i'm looking forward to Springtime here... lovely work, Connie! Congratulations on your well deserved features! :)) L/F ♥
Connie Handscomb
Regina, springtime greetings & my thanks to you! for featuring this image in Roses And Tulips:))
Viktoriya Sirris
This color of your beauty Connie is very much different and so much attractive! Gorgeous image!
Connie Handscomb replied:
Thank you, Viktoriya! it was raining outdoors, so the rich colours here are from one I had in a vase on our dining room table .. .:))
Nick Boren
Oh my.... a wonderful white beauty. :-) You have photographed this tulip so well dear Connie. ;-)) FV
Connie Handscomb replied:
Captured indoors, Nick .. when it was raining buckets outside! thank you, & best to you!:))
Guido Strambio
Wonderful macro, great capture of this beautiful tulip, gorgeous soft light and delicate tones! l/f