Romantic Orientalism

Here it is Saturday again and time for another

Soartful Challenge.

Where does the time go?

I love what everyone did with the Hat challenge.

My Dover Sampler came yesterday and this beautiful image

had challenge written all over it.

Romantic Orientalism

In the 19th century, more and more artists traveled to the Middle East and North Africa. English painters went to India and Egypt, while French painters explored North Africa, especially Algeria and Morocco. According to Eric Underwood, “the conquest of Algeria during the reign of Louis-Philippe also aroused the interest of the French public and helped to increase the popularity of oriental characters.” The East had a special appeal to artists of the Romantic era, particularly Eugene Delacroix, Jean-Léon Gérôme, Theodore Chasseriau and Eugene Fromentin. Orientalism and exotica begins with Delacroix (1798-1863). More on Romantic Orientalism can be found here.

Les Coquelicots (n.d.)

Leon Comerre

Use this image in your creation or just let it inspire you to

explore Romantic Orientalism.

Jeanette

Hats

Where does the time go? It seems to be just flying by for me.

Welcome to another week at Soartful Challenges.

I loved all of the entries for the Gothic Cottage Challenge.

This adorable image is compliments of June of Dezinaworld and Art Freebies.

You may remember that June started this challenge. She now has her Spot Prize challenge.

Our theme this week is

Hat

Here is our inspiration image for this week.

What hat makes a fashion statement for you?

I'm really looking forward to another week of seeing your

fabulous and creative art work.

Jeanette

Gothic Cottage

Welcome to another Soartful week.

And, welcome to Stourwood Cottage.

This charming cottage overlooks the lake in Stourwood Gardens,

Wilshire, England.

Built by Henry Hoare in around 1785 most likely as a summer house, the Gothic Cottage was formerly known as the Watch Cottage, from this point there are fantastic views across the lake. Henry's Grandson added the Gothic semi circular seat and arched porch around 1806, from then on it was renamed The Gothic Cottage. The cottage has very recently undergone extensive restoration and the roof has been newly thatched.

A bit of trivia: Summer 2006 the cottage was decorated by artists into a fairytale cottage in a style of Hansel and Gretel's 'Gingerbread House' for an exhibition at the estate.

This sparks my imagination. How about you?

Have a wonderful week and I'll be around to visit.

Jeanette

Victorian Amusements

Welcome back to another week at Soartful.

I have another Victorian theme for your this week.

Victorian Amusements

I love these beautiful Carousel horses.

I found this beauty at

Layout Sparks.com

The word carousel comes from the Italian word carosello (meaning "little war"). Carosello was a 12th-century game played by the Arabs and Turks, on horseback, using scented balls tossed from one to another. Anyone missing a catch was readily identified by the perfume they were doused with when the scented ball broke on impact.

You may use this image in your 'Victorian Amusement' piece but it

isn't necessary.

I loved all of the submissions for Victorian Romance.

I didn't want you to miss out on Sarah's tip.

See the beautiful gold doily. Sarah altered a plain white paper doily

by rubbing with gold ink and heat embossing. A wonderful solution

for when a gold doily is just what you need but don't have on hand.

Thanks for joining me at Soartful this week.

Jeanette

I rubbed with gold inI rubbed with gold ink them Heat Embossed.k them Heat Embossed.

I rubbed with gold ink them Heat Embossed.