EyeLighter
by Connie Handscomb
Title
EyeLighter
Artist
Connie Handscomb
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
A variegated tulip means 'beautiful eyes' .....
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Taken in natural light ; unaltered : Nature in all its natural splendour.
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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]
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♥ Heartfelt Gratitude to FAA Groups for featuring this image :
Visions Of Spring
Flowers (Forever Art)
Flower Mania
Tulip Macros
Uploaded
May 27th, 2014
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Comments (17)
Connie Handscomb
Oh my, Martin, I'm so behind I may never catch up! thank you so much for featuring this image in Flower Mania! :)))
Rob Luzier
Stunning, beautiful, Incredible, and Majestic!!!!!! This is my favorite new photo of the month... Excellent work!
Anne-Elizabeth Whiteway
Connie, this is another "WOW!". I'm so glad I happened upon your site this evening. This is magnificent (your others are as well). LF
Connie Handscomb replied:
Hello, Anne-Elizabeth, thank you! .. & lovely to meet you :))) {I'm glad you happened upon my site too! thank you for your kind words}
Connie Handscomb
Thank you, Forever Art, for featuring in Flowers! ... really do appreciate ... wishing you a wonderful weekend ahead :)))
Chris Flees
just stunning Connie....love the image....l/s
Connie Handscomb replied:
Hi Chris! thank you! do appreciate your visit & wonderful comment .. really glad you like this :)))
Aaron Whittemore
The color is exquisite, and the level of detail is incredible. Great image, Connie. V/F
Connie Handscomb replied:
Thank you so much, Aaron! ..I was after both the colour & the detail & really appreciate your comment :)))
Connie Handscomb
Dora! Hello! ... & many thanks for featuring this image in Visions Of Spring :))) {I've been out quite a lot lately & not here; so nice to see you were thinking of me ... }
Music of the Heart
Wow, Connie, this is a BEAUTY!!!! Such an amazing tulip you captured. Stunning! LF!!!
Connie Handscomb replied:
Good Day to you, Music ♫ .. I've not been here much at all the last few days; nice to see you .. yes, this was a BIG beauty .. I did whta I could to show off its finery ;)))
Georgeta Blanaru
Stunning, Connie! :)))
Connie Handscomb replied:
Hi, Georgeta, & Happy Day to you! .. thank you so much, this was quite a large tulip :)))