After sky and sea, the colour blue spontaneously conjures up the robes of a Madonna in my mind's eye. Here are the exquisite blues of the Conestabile Madonna which is housed in the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg/Leningrad. May the sight of mother and Holy Child bless your Blue Monday!This (and Book Club to be held tomorrow evening at Thatchwick) reminds me of the poignant novel: 'The Madonnas of Leningrad' by Debra Dean, which I read earlier this year. The story deals with an elderly Russian woman's memories of the siege of Leningrad during which time she was a guide in the Hermitage Museum. Amidst those days of inhuman carnage and suffering (the starving museum staff ate the glue used to frame the paintings to keep hunger at bay), the young guide would wander the great halls of the gallery, stopping at each empty space on the wall (the artworks had been removed to safety) and describe to herself from memory the great paintings of Madonna and child which had hung there.
And now - emails, articles to be rounded off and mailed to publishers, assignments to mark, calls to be made....before Tuesday.
22 comments:
Blessings to you as well on the Blue Monday. Great Post to start the week out with.
What a serene, beautiful, sacred gift for Blue Monday!
I associate blue w/ the Madonna & Child, also!
Don't forget to stop by my blog and enter the drawings this week!
Ah, marking assignments--how well I remember, and that is the BIG reason I smile with retirement! Thank you for the beautiful blue contribution and the book review. Nice. Happy Blue Monday.
That is a beautiful post. Wonderful picture!
"Serene" was the word that came to my mind too.
Beautiful blues in this painting. What an interesting book you shared part of the story from...
have a wonderful week. I love your header. What a great thatched cottage!!
The Madonna & Child are beautiful. When I saw the picture, I thought of how much my mother would have loved it.
Sweetie
Beautiful, Eleanor! I also loved your skywatch photos this weekend. Yours is a nice place to revisit spring now that we are into fall!
Such a lovely way to start the week..Have a wonderful Blue Monday..come visit.
The beautiful artwork and inspiring story lifted my spirits.
Beautifl painting and fine post!
What a lovely post for Blue Monday. Have a great week!!
You are so right. The blues in the painting are exquesite. Thank you for sharing it.
Kathy b
Hi Eleanor, a beautiful painting. Beautiful blues.
Have a blessed day !
All those things to do, and your beautiful season to enjoy. Such a lovely blue post. Enjoy book club. Karen
Beautiful Madonna and Holy Child. I hope to make it to the Hermitage, once before I die! What a lovely Blue Monday, thank you Eleanor.
I collect Madonna and Child paintings and icons. This one is especially lovely. I must see if my library has 'The Madonnas of Leningrad'. I'm currently in a Russian mode and I think this book just might fit the bill. :^)
Lovely painting. That sounds like a wonderful book too!
Kady
Eleanor, have you seen the film "Russian Ark"? It is spectacular!
Lovely painting of the Blessed Virgin. She always inspires calm in me.
Kat
That sounds like an absolutely riveting, fascinating book. I must make a dash to a bookstore and check it out....
Thanks for posting this celestially lovely image...
Interesting bit of history revealed about the Heritage Museum. Great post.
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