Dürer Landscape

In lieu of my final post on Albrecht Dürer, which has been researched and outlined but still not written, I am posting these watercolors of The Courtyard of the Former Castle of Innsbruck.

You will notice that the landscapes have been painted from a different perspective and presumably on different days.

Courtyard of the Former Castle of Innsbruck without Clouds 1494

Notes from the Web Gallery of Art:

This watercolour, together with another view of a castle courtyard in the Tirol, was presumably created during Dürer's first Italian journey in about 1494. The location of the castle is still disputed. Together with the other sheet, we have two differing views of the same castle courtyard. They show an extended courtyard with various Gothic castle buildings grouped around it. The bay-like staircase on the left is at its front side opposite the gate tower from which the second view of the courtyard was produced.

Courtyard of the Former Castle of Innsbruck with Clouds 1494

Notes from the Web Gallery of Art:

The picture shows a second variation of the castle courtyard in the Tirol, with clouds. The courtyard of the Gothic building is seen from a different side than in the first view. Here Dürer chose the balcony in the gate tower as his viewpoint, while in the first sheet a window in the opposite transverse wing was his starting point. There is still some uncertainty in his application of perspective here. However, the variety of forms of the Late Gothic buildings are recorded in detail.

I am curious to learn which landscape you prefer, with or without clouds. If you would, please leave me a note about your preference in the comments.

Related Tags: Albrecht Dürer, watercolor, landscape, fine art, Innsbruck

God's Minute 3/20

Thy face, Lord, will I seek.--Psalm 27:8

HEAVENLY FATHER, before entering fully upon the duties of this new day, we would bow before Thee and join our hearts and our voices in prayer. We pray Thee, that we may be truly conscious of Thy presence with us as we begin this day.

Help us to know, in all the work of this day, that the still small voice that speaks within us and calls us to the best things, is the voice of God; that the power that tugs at our hearts is the hand of God; and that the light that falls upon our pathway, directing us in the right way, is the light and the love of our Father, God. So may we walk this day with Thee, as Thy Holy Spirit guides us, and as we have been taught by Thy Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ the Righteous.

We give Thee the love and gratitude of our hearts for all the blessings we enjoy. Take each one of us now, dear Father, into Thy loving care as we go forth to the duties of the day. May our lives be a benediction and blessing to all who need us. Lead us ever, we pray Thee, in the way Thou wouldst have us to go and when the journey is done, gather us all home at last; in the name of Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Rev. Frank G. Smith
Kansas City, Missouri

Related Tags: Rev. Frank G. Smith, prayer, morning prayer

No time to blog, again

Two cannibals are eating a clown. One says to the other: "Does this taste funny to you?"

OH! NOOooo!!

Related Tags: joke, Mr. Bill

Today's reading assignment

A must read. Really. Go read it. Now.

My choice of animal can tell me this?

The Keys to Your Heart

You are attracted to those who are unbridled, untrammeled, and free. In love, you feel the most alive when things are straight-forward, and you're told that you're loved. You'd like to your lover to think you are loyal and faithful... that you'll never change. You would be forced to break up with someone who was emotional, moody, and difficult to please. Your ideal relationship is lasting. You want a relationship that looks to the future... one you can grow with. Your risk of cheating is zero. You care about society and morality. You would never break a commitment. You think of marriage as something precious. You'll treasure marriage and treat it as sacred. In this moment, you think of love as commitment. Love only works when both people are totally devoted.

What Are The Keys To Your Heart?

Actually, this is very accurate. Except for number 1. What can I say? I like horses.

Related Tags: quiz