I told you about the Bisschop dollshouse in the Rotterdam Museum last year. In the same museum hangs a portrait of a little girl called Cunera. Unfortunately the picture below is very dark.
Apart from being a beautiful painting, depicting the girl in an idealised garden accompanied by her dog, the fun fact fore me is that she is indirectly related to my partner. Very distant family, but related none the less. Because of this fact I want a miniature painting of her.
Most paintings in Huis ter Swinnendael will just be prints, glued on card, but a few will be real miniatures. Like Cunera.
I contacted Diane Meyboom who makes astonishing miniature drawings, etchings and paintings. If you want to see more of her work, this is the link to her website. She accepted the commission to paint Cunera in miniature and last december, just before the museum would close its doors for a 4 year period, we visited the museum together to take pictures and discuss all the details that needed to be discussed.
When we were about to leave, Diane suggested to take a picture of me next to the painting. And there it went wrong. As you can clearly see the little minx poked me in the eye! The devilish little brat!
Well alright, I had to sneeze at the moment that she took the picture, but it does look like Cunera pokes me in the eye does it not? 😅
I look forward to the end result and can't wait to see it finished. But patience is a virtue! And Diane keeps sending me pictures of the progress. I love seeing every step from blank canvas to the finished portrait. Here I post a few of them.
The last picture below shows the lapis lazuli blue used on Cunera's dress. I already love it although it is not yet finished. I will keep you updated on Cunera's progress.
Huibrecht
How wonderful to have this little painting commissioned. A treasure for sure!
ReplyDeleteRegards J.
Thank you, yes I am very happy to be able to do so. I try to make many things myself, but this is far above my capabilities.
DeleteHuibrecht
Wat een prachtig schilderij zal dat gaan worden, Hubert. En Dianes werk kennende, wordt het een kunstwerk van topklasse. Wat gaaf dat ze elke keer een update van haar vorderingen geeft. Het ziet er nu al prachtig uit, je kunt zien dat 't een juweeltje wordt voor huize Swinnendael.
ReplyDeleteFijn dat jullie nog net voor sluiting in het museum zijn geweest, en wat apart dat deze Cunera een ver familid is van jouw partner, dit feit moet je zeker in Swinnendael verwerken. Maar deze Cunera is wel een klein secreetje als ze jou in je oog port. Pittig tantetje hoor, en eentje waardoor jij inderdaad zéér charmant op de foto staat, hahaha. Is jouw Corona melder niet afgegaan? Ze kwam namelijk aardig binnen de anderhalve meter *LOL* ;O)! Of heb jij haar besmet met ons minivirus...? Kan ook ;).
Fijne dag toegewenst.
Blijf veilig en gezond.
Groetjes, Ilona
Wij hadden inderdaad geluk dat wij nog het museum in konden. 2 dagen later werd het gesloten. De coronamelder is niet afgegaan. Mijn nies was ook gelukkig alleen maar het gevolg van een kriebel in de neus. :0
DeleteHubert
Encantador el retrato de Cunera. Es estupendo que te hagan una reproducción.
ReplyDeleteGracias por el cumplido. También estaré muy orgulloso cuando reciba la reproducción.
DeleteHow wonderful that you not only thought to have the painting commissioned in miniature, but you got to meet and see the painting with the artist in person! How wonderful! I love that you are including this painting in Huis ter Swinnendael because she is related to your partner! You are such a sweet and sentimental fellow, Huibrecht! We recently had our DNA done and apparently I am nearly all German and French, and related to Marie-Antoinette. So interesting what you find out!
ReplyDeleteYes, but meeting the artist in person was not that difficult. I live south of the city and she lives north of the city. So it was only half an hour commute for both of us to meet in the museum. :-)
DeleteOnes family history is indeed interesting. To know where you come from, how the succession of ancestors has led from the earliest traceable sources to the present generation.
And Marie Antoinette? Wow! so you have an Austrian branch as well to explore, Milady J.
Huibrecht
What a very special commission to have an artist of Diane's ability recreate a portrait of your partner's relation...a beautiful painting and story to go with it! Cheers, Alayne
ReplyDeleteThank you Alayne, and welcome to my little blog. I am indeed delighted with the possiblity. It will take a few months before I can hold the result in my hands but luckily I am a very patient man. :-)
DeleteHuibrecht
Wow, what a special project this is! It's such a lovely picture but knowing that there's a relation to your partner makes it extra special. How lucky you are that Diane accepted this commission - her WIP already shows well that this picture will become a true treasure... a treasure worth every eye damage. *broad grin* Does this say anything about your partner's character or did his family became better behaved during the years? *teehee*
ReplyDeleteHugs
Birgit (who can hardly wait to see the finished piece)
Hahaha. Well, Birgit, let me say that they both know what they want. That has not changed in almost 350 years. But my partner would never poke me in the eye, or do something so mean.
DeleteAnd to Cunera's credit I do not believe that she really did it on purpose. Just a prank gone a bit wrong. And there is no eye damage what so ever. :-)
Huibrecht
Dear Huibrecht, this painting will be a treasure indeed! The naughty Cunera was just trying to say hello! She does look full of energy and happiness and I hope this will be a token of the nature of your house overall! The family connection makes it even more special! You are lucky to have this painting coming to you! Stay well and keep making minis! :)
ReplyDeleteThat may be it. The little girl does look confident and full of energy. And it is only apparent at the second look at the painting that the artist has tried to portray her while descending the gardensteps with the roses in her hand, and her dog running around her. instead of standing leasurely in this garden.
DeleteI also love the symbolism used like the blooming roses and the little dog. But I will tell more about that in the next post on this portrait.
Huibrecht
Wat een grappige foto! Het mini-schilderijtje zal prachtig in Huis ter Swinnendael passen.
ReplyDeleteDank je wel marijke. Deze foto haddenwe niet in scene kunnen zetten als we hadden gewild. Dit was echt toeval. :-)
ReplyDeleteHuibrecht