I wonder if I've made an interesting discovery, or if I'm just seeing things I want to see ( Read more... )

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So my boss needed a Sound of Music costume. More specifically, a Maria von Trapp one, based on what Julie Andrews wears in the movie, the opening scene in the mountains/hillside/Alps/whatever ( Read more... )

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In the 1990s the general public became increasingly interested in portraits from the past. Parallel with this researchers has devoted more of their time to portraits - who the sitters are, what the portraits tell, what context they were painted in. Norway, being at the outer edge of Europe, and also being the poor part of a union (first with ( Read more... )

The Museum of Industrial Arts in Oslo is currently housing an exhibition called "Kongelige reiser 1905-2005" (Royal travels 1905-2005). 1905, because that is the year Norway became independent, after various unions with Denmark and Sweden ( Read more... )

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Florence and Siena were bitter enemies for centuries. In 1559 the proud Sienese republic fell and became a part of the Duchy of Florence, due to the political skills of Cosimo I de' Medici. Or rather, due to a debt the Holy Roman Emperor was not able to pay Cosimo. Siena simply became a part of the payment, which obviously didn't sit well with the ( Read more... )

Next "cash flow" I will start working on the Roman styled dress I've planned to make for some 3 years. The cardboard linen for bodice stiffening has been sitting in my closet for two years, and every time I see it I am reminded of the project. But I want a nice black velvet or wool, and and I need a couple of meters, and for that I need money ( Read more... )

I'm sorry, it's impossible to stop...

September 16, 1547Cosimo I expresses his desire to resurrect Florentine trade with the Ottoman Empire. He instructs Alfonso Berardi, Medici agent in Costantinople, to acquire horses, medals, jewels, antiquities and books. The green cloth requested by Rustem Pascià will be sent as soon as possible ( Read more... )