Sunday, February 5, 2012

Queen of Love and Beauty!




Italian Capodimonte  porcelain statue of Aplrodite  being presented by a bunch of Putti.This is in my entrance hall.

   In honor of  Valentines day ,coming soon, I am doing a couple of blogs on the  two Greek Goddesses, known for there beauty and the symbol  of Love. The first one, the subject of this blog, is Queen Aplrodite.
  Saint Valentines day,  commonly shortened to Valentines Day, is a holiday observed on February 14th, each year, honoring one or more early Christian Saints, all named Valentine. It is traditionally a day on which lovers express there love for each other by presenting flowers, candy, cards or jewelry.  It first became associated with romantic love with the writings of Chaucer, in the High Middle Ages. Modern Valentines Day symbols include the heart shaped outline and the figures of cupid . Since the 19th century, hand written Valentines have been given way to mass produced cards. The first Valentine Cards on record were from 18th century England. Paper Valentines became so popular in the early 19th century that they were being massed produced in factories. Since the 20th century, the practice of exchanging cards has declined.

A close up of Aprodite.

      Queen Aplrodite was a Greek Goddess of love, beauty, pleasure and procreation. Her Roman equivalent is Venus. According to myth,she was born when Cronus, cut off Aranus genitals and tossed  them into the sea. After which, Aplrodite arose from the sea. She had no childhood as she  was born as an adult and was very desirable. She is often depicted nude.Because of her beauty, other gods feared that jealousy would interrupt the peace among them and lead to war. So Zeus married her to Hephaestus, who was not viewed as a threat. Aplrodite had many lovers, both gods and men. Many lesser beings were said to be children of Aplrodite. She was so beautiful that doves, horses and swans where scared of her. She had a nack of making every man she meet, fall in love with her.

Close up of the Putti that are pulling Aplrodite.
This is my entrance hall wall paper. It is by Lee Jofa. The name is, Allegorie A L'Amour Toile. It is a perfect back drop to the statue of Aplrodite, as she is pictured on the paper. 

The hall has a red ceiling, how fun for Valentines Day.

View of the hall. 




      I hope you enjoy learning about Aplrodite. It is fun to know where all our traditions come from. Valentines Day is something most of us  have no idea where it came from or why we celebrate it. I had no ideal it was a real Saints Day. So we learn day after day. I always have fun doing research and posting on these fun subjects. I try and learn something new almost every day. I may not remember it, but at least I knew it once.
    I hope each and every one of you have someone special, that you can call a Valentine. I have my Sissy Dog. Just having her  is all I need and when I leave her for a few hours and come back, I think she feels the same way. I have in years past had many a Valentine Party. It was always fun and the menu was so easy,chocolate and more chocolate. Yum. But this year Ms. Sissy and I will have to go it alone. We will be at the shop and Sissy will have a big red bow.
   Come by any time soon for a visit. I will always have the lights on and Sissy Dog, with or with out a big red bow, will meet you with a jump and a kiss. If you like the blog, please leave a comment. You are sure to get one back in return. Also ,check back again in  a few days for the second part of this blog, when it will be all about Queen Hera, wife of Zeus.Until then, keep on blogging!

25 comments:

FABBY'S LIVING said...

What a stunning Capodimonti figure with puttinos pulling the carriage! I love Greek Queen Aphrodyte, she's gorgeous. Thank you for the St. Valentines story and for telling me about the gifts given on this date...I'd like to receive one of those, I hope, lol!
Come for some cake.
Happy Valentines my dearest friend.
FABBY

Karah @ thespacebetweenblog said...

Thanks so much for linking up to the challenge! Karah

Divine Theatre said...

I am dying to come visit your museum!

Soon!

xoxo
Kisses to the Beautiful Sissy!

Barbara F. said...

I like the word putti's.....it's a funny word to me (innuendo, but I am crazy!). As always, I enjoy my learning experience when I visit here. The red ceiling is awesome, so dramatic. Love it. xo

Akissfromthepast said...

lovely statue!!!!! and painting! greatness!

Anonymous said...

HI Richard! Oh, what a beautiful piece! When I think of Capodimonti, I think of bright colors and this one is so soft and elegant! Thank you for the history. I say it over and over but your old historic house is so beautiful. The wallpaper is gorgeous and love your red ceiling! Did you paint it that color?
Now the portrait of that man reminds me of Edgar Allen Poe! :)
Be a sweetie,
shelia ;)

Dreamgoddess said...

Your Aphrodite statue is fabulous! I love how your chandy sparkles against that red ceiling. I would so love to come visit one day and tour your beautiful home.

Olive said...

Richard, I am loving the Lee Jofa wallpaper. It is so gorgeous and is a perfect backdrop for your lovely figure. I have never been one to celebrate this holiday but this was interesting. hugs, olive

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Pretty statue! Enjoyed the tour and history lesson.
Hope you enjoyed your weekend.

Babs said...

Richard, Your Capodimonti piece is the most beautiful I've ever seen. It's interesting, because yesterday I was looking up the difference between cherubs and putti.And here are the most beautiful ones with Aphrodite. Wishing you and Sissy Dog a very Happy Valentine's Day.

A Few Pennies said...

Wonderful vignettes; I always love seeing what you design up for the big house!

Ann@A Sentimental Life said...

Beautiful as usual! I have some capodimonti pieces but nothing that large and gorgeous!

annies home said...

simply beautiful

PAINTORDIG.blogspot.com said...

I enjoyed reading about this. I love the red ceiling and wallpaper! -I have missed that before somehow. I love a red room! Kiss Sissy for me.

Sissysmom said...

Great post! I always know when I read your blog I will learn something new!

Give Sissy Dog a pat on the head from me!

Michele

Alison @ The Polohouse said...

HI Richard! Such gorgeous pieces and you know I have told you before how mush I adore that wallpaper!

Tell us sometime about those VASES! Wow!

Those are spectaular too!

Alison @ The Polohouse said...

HI Richard! Such gorgeous pieces and you know I have told you before how mush I adore that wallpaper!

Tell us sometime about those VASES! Wow!

Those are spectaular too!

Curtains in My Tree said...

Richard

love the Aplrodite, and the Allegorie A L'amour toile wall paper is heavenly to see
anyone who has not had a tour of your mansion is really missing a delightful treat chocolate or no chocolates
I hope to make another tour this spring maybe
Happy Valentines to you & Sissy

xoxo

Charlotte Wilson said...

Richard,
I love your bold use of color!Your figurine of Aphrodite looks special against the wall paper!

♥charlotte

Honey at 2805 said...

Your Capodimonti piece is the most beautiful, Richard, and I always enjoy the historical information!

Bohemian said...

And I thought I was the only goddess of Love!!! *Winks*

I knew you'd have some interesting and amazing Valentine's Day Posts Richard! Thanks for stopping by for a visit. Just got The Man out of the Hospital and Praying he remains well enough now to be Home for Valentine's Day and his Birthday... I just don't feel Complete without him by my side.


Blessings from the Arizona Desert... Dawn... The Bohemian

Elizabeth Maxson said...

Thanks so much for the lesson....I will have to quote you...I love this:

"I try and learn something new almost every day. I may not remember it, but at least I knew it once."

That is super...and so me!


Big hug
Elizabeth :-)

lvroftiques said...

Between you and me Richard don't you think Aphrodite must've actually been a dog? *winks*...I mean who can resist one...not you or me lol!
Your grouping is gorgeous! As is the Lee Jofa wallpaper! Actually you have the PERFECT Valentines house!! With your love of red and romantic figures it doesn't get any better! Vanna

tülin said...

Hi Richard!
Greetings from middle of the Anatolia
and Happy Valentine's Day.

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