Winter Tales
Just incase you think my life is idyllic …..after yesterday’s comments….I would like to point out that I am the mother of teenagers. Life is often turbulent and difficult. That’s probably why I cling so desperately to the tiny moments of peace and happiness, and why I spend so much time knitting socks.
Today I ran away and went to a very nice exhibition in the Zürich Art Gallery. Winter Tales – an exhibition of European winter pictures from the Renaissance to the Impressionists (on until April should you wish to visit).
I loved the early Dutch paintings, mainly by people I’d never heard of, but brimming full of scenes of rural folk skating on frozen canals, like the one above by Peter Brueghel (Winter landscape with bird trap, 1601)
It was also a delight to encounter paintings I knew from elsewhere – like Monet’s Magpie (1868/9) from the Musee d’Orsay in Paris.
A little oasis of calm in a life that is presently anything but.
Helen
(I’m sorry about the beige boxes under the pictures…I can’t seem to get rid of them!)
March 4th, 2012 at 6:33 pm
Lovely ! Penny L xx
March 4th, 2012 at 6:36 pm
Sorry that things can seem difficult at times…happy you re getting pockets of calm here and there.
March 4th, 2012 at 7:24 pm
The pictures are lovely.I am from the Netherlands so I’m familiar with those pictures. I agree with you that life with 3 teenagers is often hard. I’m tired very often and also think that todays world isn’t the easiest time to raise your children and to protect them. Enjoy your quiet moments. I do to.
March 4th, 2012 at 7:53 pm
I’m still hoping to go and see this – not practical with the dog in tow!! I was actually wishing I’d known about it while it was still cold, as my motivation isn’t so high now the temperatures have risen… still, hope to find a few hours to escape.
My dad was always keen on the Brueghels and we had “The Hunters in the Snow” on our wall at home for years.
March 4th, 2012 at 8:01 pm
We often tend to write good and happy thoughts in our blogs making some think our lives are perfect. We all know that is not the norm but much more pleasant to read and write about. I hope that your little getaways breathe new life into your otherwise normal life. thinking happy thoughts and sending them your way.
March 4th, 2012 at 8:10 pm
I love that Brueghel painting. I’ve seen it, or a copy, somewhere. so much happening in it. The Monet is exquisite. I plan to get to all the art galleries in Paris eventually. It will have to be alone though. Chris isn’t into museums and indoor stuff like that sadly!
March 4th, 2012 at 8:38 pm
The first picture reminds me of the skating in the park here.
Not had any experience of teenagers (phew). It does us all good just to get away from the everyday dross every now and then.
March 4th, 2012 at 9:23 pm
Heh, I knew there was a reason for my mum’s prodigious sock output 😉
March 4th, 2012 at 9:51 pm
Oh I am so looking forward to my 3 hitting those teenage years – ha ha!
March 4th, 2012 at 11:35 pm
Lovely pictures – so glad you took the time to go and do something for yourself. I experienced a bit of those teenage years as my step daughter came into my life when she was 17 – not too bad but there were some difficult moments. We are now the best of friends and I am sure that your three will do some maturing in the near future – at least the two oldest (boys take a bit longer as I’ve learned from my grandsons).
March 5th, 2012 at 12:58 am
Thanks for sharing the photos…how wonderful that you were able to escape to such a peaceful place…a museum! I bet even just a few hours there would be incredibly rejuvenating!
March 5th, 2012 at 2:45 pm
I love winter paintings, maybe because we have such a long winter here. I know what you mean about teens, Helen. Just keep telling yourself (and them) that their brains aren’t fully developed yet, and all will be well when they turn 25. 🙂 Thinking of you and praying for you all….