Author Archives: carolinemmurray

Slow Venice

Posted on 12/06/2018 by carolinemmurray

I’m not sure that I would choose to visit Venice in June again – though I can imagine a few compelling reasons, such as a once-in-a-generation exhibition of all the known Carpaccios in the world (she said hopefully). The main … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Botany, History, Italy, Museums and Galleries, Venice | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Mariana Starke

Posted on 27/05/2018 by carolinemmurray

Miss Starke (sometimes given the ‘courtesy’ title of Mrs) had the great good fortune to have relatives who needed nursing in a benign climate abroad. (Less good luck for the relatives, obviously.) As a consequence, instead of staying in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Biography, France, History, Italy, Museums and Galleries, Uncategorized, Venice | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Object of the Month: May 2018

Posted on 19/05/2018 by carolinemmurray

How many bear jugs does one person need in his or her life? The answer, in the case of Dr J.W.L. Glaisher (about whom I have written before), appears to be at least twelve. This is the number bequeathed by … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Cambridge, History, London, Museums and Galleries, Natural history, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

More Cats in Art …

Posted on 16/05/2018 by carolinemmurray

Just a quick couple of additions to the genre after a visit to the Prinsenhof in Delft. In addition to the legendary bullet holes in the wall (embedded after they had passed through the body of William the Silent (alas!) … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, History, Museums and Galleries | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

The Good Intentions of Lady Mico

Posted on 14/05/2018 by carolinemmurray

Fate, in the form of a house move, has brought the grand-daughter (and her parents, naturally) to another neck of the London woods, which I look forward to exploring on those occasions when grandmotherly duties take me down. My first … Continue reading →

Posted in Biography, Gardens, History, London, Printing and Publishing | Tagged , , , , , , | 14 Comments

The Bells, the Bells …

Posted on 10/05/2018 by carolinemmurray

As the website of Save Venice, Inc. tells us: ‘Venetian noble Pietro Gradenigo (1695–1776) commissioned Giovanni Grevembroch, a Venetian artist of German descent, to record Venetian clothing, artworks, occupations, collections, buidlings and daily life through a series of watercolor drawings … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, History, Italy, Museums and Galleries, Venice | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Chelsea Physic Garden

Posted on 25/04/2018 by carolinemmurray

Well, I made it to the one-day exhibition on Philip Miller at the Chelsea Physic Garden, and it rained only at the end of our stroll around, and then not much. We were greeted at the entrance by welcoming staff, … Continue reading →

Posted in Bibliography, Biography, Botany, Gardens, History, London, Natural history, Printing and Publishing | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

Fool’s Gold

Posted on 19/04/2018 by carolinemmurray

The other day, I came across the name of Giambattista Angello, described as a Venetian alchemist in London. Always keen to follow the path of the legendary all-purpose cure, theriaca, around Europe, I pursued him, though I was slightly puzzled … Continue reading →

Posted in Biography, Exploration, History, Italy, Natural history, Printing and Publishing, Venice | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

When It’s Gone, It’s Gone …

Posted on 11/04/2018 by carolinemmurray

I was slightly disconcerted to note that a small new display which opened yesterday at the Fitzwilliam Museum is available only until 22 April; and even more so that an exhibition opening at the Chelsea Physic Garden on 15 April … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Biography, Cambridge, History, Italy, Museums and Galleries | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Memos to Self …

Posted on 05/04/2018 by carolinemmurray

A blissful afternoon in the garden today. Sun! Warmth! Ladybirds! Tulips! Robins! But after five hours of stern effort, I feel the need to set down a few reminders to myself, some of which may possibly be of more general … Continue reading →

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