Posted on 12 Comments

Medici family

Medici family, or my reasoning on the topic: I am an artist, and this is my opinion.

I recently read the story of the Medici family. Of course, I very impressed with the portrait and story of the little girl Bianca Medici.

Bia de’ Medici

Bianca de’ Medici, usually known as Bia de’ Medici, (c. 1536 – 1 March 1542) was the illegitimate daughter of Cosimo I de’ Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany, born before his first marriage.

The identity of Bia’s mother is not known, but Cosimo I was likely no older than sixteen when he fathered her. According to Edgcumbe Staley’s The Tragedies of the Medici, some stories said the girl’s mother was a village girl from Trebbio, where the Medicis had built one of their first villas, while others said she was a gentlewoman from Florence. Only Cosimo I and the girl’s paternal grandmother, Maria Salviati, knew the identity of the girl’s mother, but Salviati refused to reveal it, though she did acknowledge Bia was the daughter of Cosimo.

La Bia

Staley wrote that the little girl was called La Bia, short for Bambina (little girl or baby). The name might also have been short for Bianca. Staley wrote that her father’s new wife, Eleonora di Toledo, refused to tolerate her presence in the palace after their marriage, so Cosimo sent her off to the Villa di Castello, her paternal grandmother’s chief residence north of Florence. However, other more reliable reports indicate that her stepmother “brought her up very lovingly”. Her paternal grandmother supervised the nurseries for all of the children of Cosimo I.

All of them, not only Cosimo’s illegitimate daughter, spent most of their time at the Villa di Castello and were raised by nurses, with minimal day-to-day contact with their parents, though both Cosimo and Eleonora heard reports of their progress and offered directions for their education, their living arrangements, and the clothing they wore. Bia shared her nursery with Giulia de’ Medici, the illegitimate daughter of Alessandro de’ Medici, Duke of Florence, who was close to her in age. She grew into a high-spirited, loving little girl who kept her grandmother and nurses entertained with her antics. Bia’s father adored his first-born child, and her paternal grandmother, Maria Salviati, said the little girl “was the comfort of our court, being so very affectionate.”

Bia’s parents

Both Bia and her cousin Giulia contracted a fast-moving fever in February 1542, from which Giulia recovered but Bia did not. Cosimo I received almost daily reports of Bia’s worsening condition from his mother, Maria Salviati. The child grew weaker between 25 February and 28 February and finally died on 1 March 1542.

When her legitimate half-sister Isabella de’ Medici was born six months after her death, her father rejoiced to have another daughter. Contemporaries who might normally have consoled him on his wife’s failure to present him with a second son instead congratulated him on her birth, knowing how he had grieved for the loss of Bia. ” congratulate you on the beautiful baby girl God has conceded to you in recompense for the one he has taken to join him in paradise,” wrote Paolo Giovio after the birth of Isabella.

This is a portrait of Bia de Medici by the artist Angelo Bronzino.

Please note the brown medallion. Yes, I thought about this locket when I created my new pendant. But I can see they turned out to be absolutely different! So I have a question. Should I repeat exactly the things that I liked? I’m talking about the exact repetition of all the details. Or is it enough for me to say: I am an artist and this is my opinion? Of course, I can create whatever I want. But do I need to tell the stories of my products? How do you think?

You can see my medallion here, please: https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/product/bia-de-medici-pendant/

I also invite you to watch the tatting process on my YouTube channel:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3dn4_9pp7tIKA2k564wLBQ/videos?view_as=subscriber

Subscribe to my blog, comment and ask questions. I really look forward to your feedback!

Posted on 6 Comments

Brain training

Brain training, or how I decided to make a picture with riddles.

Hello everyone! If you read my previous posts carefully, then you know that I decided to seriously study the Italian language. Oh-ho-ho! Sometimes I hear my brains creak! 🙂 But I won’t give up, believe me! How do you train your brain? I found an interesting article on the Internet. And of course, I share with you.

Solving crosswords delays brain aging by 10 years, according to a study by researchers at the University of Exeter and King’s College London, the Daily Mail reported.

Indeed, neurologists have known for a long time that in order to maintain the performance of the brain with age, this organ must be trained in the same way as the rest of the body. It is no coincidence that people engaged in intellectual work, for example, scientists, for the most part retain clarity of thought and good memory until old age.

There is a separate branch of “neurobics” that studies various exercises for training the brain. According to the creator of neurobics, Professor Lawrence Katz, you can “load” the brain anytime and anywhere, the main thing is to make it work outside the box.

Here are some tips from Professor Katz:

– Carry out standard actions in an unusual way: for example, wash your face, closing your eyes, brush your teeth with your left hand (if you are right-handed);

– Break the usual patterns: change routes to work – from work;

– Learn poetry and foreign languages at any age;

– Try to update your life with new activities and hobbies;

– Solve crosswords and puzzles;

– Try to make spontaneous decisions, be easy-going.

Lace picture with a riddle

You may ask why I put a lace picture at the beginning of the post. Everything is very simple! These pictures are a kind of rebus, a puzzle. In each piece of lace, I made a violation of the pattern. In order to find the “error”, you need to very carefully analyze all the patterns in the picture. It also trains the brain a lot. Alternatively, you can check your guests this way. I assure you, this is fun!

Check these paintings in my store, please! https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/

If you are interested in seeing the process of weaving tatting lace, then welcome to my YouTube channel:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3dn4_9pp7tIKA2k564wLBQ/videos?view_as=subscriber

And also subscribe to my blog, comment and ask questions. I really look forward to your feedback!

Posted on Leave a comment

The main signs of spring

The main signs of spring, or Happy Easter!

Hello, everyone!

I really like the main signs of the coming spring.  After all, we can enjoy clear skies and warm sun. We also admire the singing of birds in the spring. Finally, we celebrate the amazing Easter holiday. And Easter for Christians around the world is an important holiday. So, I want to remind you of the main symbols and traditions of Easter.

The main signs of spring

The egg were symbols of fertility and a new beginning of spring. Since time immemorial, eggs have been associated with the world or universe in many cultures. I think you also know that the egg is the symbol for represent new life and a new dawn.

Easter bunny
The rabbit, or hare, was a symbol of abundant new life in ancient times, and reminds us of spring and new life.

Easter Lilies
Of course, the white blossoms symbolize the purity of Jesus.

Lamb, or Sheep
Represents Jesus, the “Lamb of God.”

And of course, a religious holiday cannot do without the Cross.

I love the tradition of Easter hats and wearing new clothes for Easter.

I’m sure everyone loves Hot Buns and Pretzels, so delicious!

Spring flowers bloom in the spring, and symbolize spring and new life.
Baby animals born in the spring also represent spring and new life.

The Butterfly is one of the significant symbols of Easter. Its whole life cycle is meant to symbolize the life of Jesus Christ. The first stage, is the caterpillar, which stands for His life on Earth. Second phase begins from the cocoon stage, portraying the crucifixion and burial of Jesus. The third and final stage is the butterfly, representing His raising from the dead in a glorified body and peace.

So, I added a new pattern to my previous Easter works. I named this egg decoration Spring Sky. I hope you will enjoy. Welcome! https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/product/pattern-easter-egg-spring-sky/

I will be glad if you join my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uaLkTHdZ7Y&list=UU3dn4_9pp7tIKA2k564wLBQ&index=39

Also subscribe to my blog. Comment and ask questions. I will be happy to help with tips! Welcome!