31_0131_Your_Comments_1st_half_2016
For comments mail P.H.Gommers@skynet.be
Recently, appeared on internet another
'Europa with Bull' statuette with the mark of Meissen.
Research at the Meissen factory indicated an original Meissen
Model ('K 70') designed in 1793
by the closest collaborator of Kändler,
Christian Gottfried Jüchtzer, about 1752-1812, and assisted
by
Johann Daniel Schöne, about 1767-1843. Europa, in a
somewhat more dynamic pose, while
decorating the
bull with flowers. The small putto appears to have ideas of his own.
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According to the indicated Meissen mark on the photo, this copy can be
located
in the second half of the 19th century. The bull is snowwhite and Europa is
definitely
more airily clothed. The colours used for the original model are no longer known,
until
a statuette would show up with marks of the 18th century. Also there is no
certainty
this copy was really produced by Meissen.
January 1, 2016 Sitemaster HAPPY NEW YEAR
The above Meissen figurine based on its 1793 model K70 can also be found
in the statuette
31_02 here below, although Europa is here looking to a second bigger putto at
the back of
bull. The other putto appears to be closer to the bull.
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A two putto's Europa statuette has so far not been traced at Meissens. Also the
rather overdone make-up
suggests more an imitation copy of another porcellan producer.
The almost snowwhite statuette on top of a bonbonnière is all together from
another area. This streamlined figurine
of Europe and the bull was made to commemorate the completion of the innermarket
of the EU
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A gracious Europa, clearly easily in command. Designed and modelled by Peter
Stang in a limited issue of 500 pieces.
This image was earlier shown in Princesse Europe - Europe carried away
in the Cataloque issued at the occasion
of an exhibition of the mythical Europa in the Hotel de Ville of Brussels
in 2010 by A.Roba
Antwerp, February 1st 2016 Ending comments on Meissen
Figurines
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A romantic
Europa of
Jean Francois de Troy, 1716 , accompanied a book review in the Dutch daily ,
de Volkskrant ,
dd. 07 - 11 - 2015. The painting is well known and can be admired at
the National Gallery of Art in Washington, USA.
Its publication in a daily is
rather unique
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LITERATURE
The Dutch Ilja Leonard Pfeyffer is a writer, journalist, columnist and poet, living in Genua, Italy. In his book
'Gelukzoekers' or ' Foretune Hunters' he joins a number of earlier columns, essays and a poem. In many
different ways, they all describethe often tragic human, urge of survival, with the cynical attitude of Europeans
welcoming some refugees but trying to keep out the large numbers of people without existence and future.
Tthey consider them Fortune seekers.
His book starts with a urgent and penetrating letter to Europa, who represents people, states, and moral ideals
based on
a culminated memory of their
Christian- Judaic culture, and gave their continent her name.
Writing in the first half of 2015, the migration waves coming from the North African shores directed to the close by
European island Lampedussa in the Mediterranean sea, made him adjust Europa' flight to the European island of Crete.
He starts her journey in North Africa, the supposed origin of Europe's grandfather, Libya. In this way establishing a
close parallel between Europa's sea journey and the modern sea route to Europe. But nowadays, refugiés are not
received with open arms. Despite the European history of migrant waves to Europe, within Europe, and from Europe.
Think of the Celts, the Saxons, the Norsemen, the Finns and Hungarians; the mass emigration from Europe to the
Americas. The settlings of the Greeks and later Italians, like Venetians, Portuguese and Spanish, Brits and Dutch
people over
the whole world. And more recent Italians and Spaniards, Portuguese from south
to north, and
Tjechians, East
Germans, Hungarians
Slowakians,
Polish workers from east to west.
And yes, they all strengthened Europe
Presently, after decennia of low birthrates Europe's population is set to fall more and more rapidly, Europe needs badly large
numbers of migrants. Of course, popular politicians cry wolf and scare their aging population with the inflow of these young and
mostly
dedicated people.
Madame Europa, you have aged terribly. I still love you, but aging Europe has to sustain herself, open your windows, put
flower garlands around their necks. They are your future.
.
Ilja Leonard Pfeyffer,
GELUKZOEKERS, de Arbeidspers, Amsterdam-Antwerpen,2015
with an romantic extra of three cupido's.
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The panel, probably part of a wall covering, was presented at a recent auction of Hotel de vente Horta in Brussels. The painting
was not signed.
Brussels, April 4th, a visitor
The Dutch sculptor Evert den Hertog made quite a view Europa statuettes (see contribution on page september, 2nd half 2011.
In his interpretations the relation between Europa and her composing parts, represented by the bull, always shows a close relation. Sometimes their relationship seems cosy, relaxed, or determined, or promising. The bronze statuette below sends out a complete different message
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It looks the bull is running away from Europa, only Europa's cloth are still lying on his back. He forgets, without Europa, he will fall back on his own natural state, belonging to the numerous breed of common cattle. But he will be back with his tail between the legs.
Rotterdam, 2 Mei, thanks to Sandra van de Lubbe
The heavily damaged metope of Europe on the bull on the front freeze of the Siconyan Treasury House at Delphi, nowadays in the Delphi museum, is well known. (see my study Europe What's in a Name p. 71)
On the ancient pelgrim's road a dug-out tomb-stone, from Roman origin, has been placed on this road, because of its image, without further specification.
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A bull can be clearly distinguished. A leg along his side could be remarked.
This would mean someone is sitting on the bull. The remaining
of the design does not exclude such a possibility. It is known that Romans used,
occasionnally, the voyage of 'Europe on the bull' of one
country to the other, as a metaphore for the voyage of the death when crossing
the Styx with Charon's ferry to Hades realm of the dead.
In other words chances
are
that it was Europe sitting on this bull.
Delphi, June 7, a pelgrim