THE GREAT LIBRARY OF ALEXANDRIA
The great Library of Alexandria, Egypt was one of the largest and most significant Libraries of the ancient world but details of it are a mixture of history and legend. Alexandria came to be regarded as the capital of knowledge and learning. Many important and influential scholars worked at the library during the 3rd and 2nd centuries BCE. Ptolomy 1 may have laid the groundwork for the library but it did not come into being until the reign of Ptolomy 11 (283 – 246 BCE ) The library was built in the Brucheion (Royal Quarter) of Alexandria as part of the Mouseion, or Seat of the Muses, the ancient centre of learning.
The library, or part thereof, was accidently burned down by Julius Caesar during his Civil War in 48 BCE. Sadly, the library dwindled during the Roman Period due to lack of funding and support.
According to legend, the Syracusan inventor Archimedes, while studying at the library of Alexandria, invented the Archimedes’ screw, a pump for pulling water up from below.
The later Kingdoms and Empires of the Near East, also had long traditions of book collecting. Fascinating!
This facade is all the remains of the Library in Alexandria
I have already apologised in an earlier mail for my late entry. I am really sorry, but a huge queen size quilt I was commissioned to do, railroaded this library blog off the tracks. I was finding it difficult to complete this big project in my small flat, so I hopped on a bus with my suitcase crammed full of fabric, travelled for 9 hours to my sister in the low veld for help. 3 busy weeks later, I returned home with the completed top layer. The design was taken from paintings by an Austrian artist called Hundertwasser. This is the result so far.
Allison.
Better late than never as they say. I like your take on the library. The use of net really makes the shadows work and the minimal colour seems to emphasise the age of the facade. So different from your commission - bold and colourful!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Linda. I coloured the picture with pencils firstly and then used my usual, Oil pastels. I was happy using layers of purple netting as my shadows. The only bit of machine sewing was the stairs. I found some Sashiko threads to embroider the clouds. An interesting challenge.
DeleteTHis was worth waiting for Alison. The techniques you've used for shading are very effective.
ReplyDeleteThe Hundertwasser inspired quilt looks huge, how lovely to have a sister to call on.
Really enjoyed this challenge although it took me a long time to actually get started. The quilt is for a queen - sized bed and now I have to get it to the quilter, then I will have to do the binding. And that will be a mission in our bed - sitter! I really could not have managed without my sister's help.
DeleteA totally different take on this library than mine . Did you use a photograph of the remaining facade as it was so realistic but well emphasised by your use of sewn lines.
ReplyDeleteI do like the bright colours of your Hundertwasser quilt and remember enjoying doing the small quilt based on his work when we were on the "Artists" series.
Hi Rosemary. No, I didn't use a photo, I just scaled - up the print and then used a light - box to copy it onto my coffee - dyed fabric ( which I had done while in Nelspruit ). The same woman who will quilt the Hunderdwasser, dyed most of the fabrics and she lives in Kloof - Phil knows her as well.
DeleteI love the ancient look that you have created with your use of netting and embroidery. It’s very effective, as are the simple lines in the sky.
ReplyDeleteAnd the bed quilt is gorgeous!
As has been said....worth the wait! You have worked the piece very cleverly and a fantastic result.
ReplyDeleteThe Hundertwasser is amazing.
Thanks Phil and thanks to Hanlie of Amafu, for the beautiful fabrics used in the quilt. As I said, she will also quilt it for me, probably in the New year, when we return from Johannesburg.
DeleteThanks Phil, and also thanks to Hanlie of Amafu, whose fabrics I used for the quilt. And she has offered to quilt it for me too. I can only take it to her when we return from Johannesburg, at the end of the year. Stay safe.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure I commented at the beginning of December: perhaps I forgot to click on the publish button?! I really love your quilt. I thought that it had been printed, and hadn't realised that you used coloured pencils and oil pastel. The netting works well for the shadows.
ReplyDelete