The usual proviso - the photography is bad (the left tower blurred and out of focus) and much of the fine detail disappears in size reduction
The present Minster stands on the site previously occupied by the Roman praetorium (encampment). It was here in AD306 that Constantine the Great was proclaimed emperor. The Romans fortified the place - a walled city.
There have been other churches on this site. The first was wooden one constructed for the baptism of Edwin, King of Northumbria, in 627. The present day Minster was completed in 1472 and it is a wonder that it still survives for between 1829 and 1984 it suffered 3 fires. The first was caused deliberately , the second by careless workmen and the third by lightening.
At the Eastern end of the cathedral (not visible on my picture) is the great east window: the largest surviving expanse of medieval glass in the world. Just outside this window is Saint William's College, built 1465, where Pat has got my pictures on show for a few days in November! The College is haunted by the ghost of a 17th century murderer - but I'm sure Pat will try to sell him a picture.
In the right foreground is the tall memorial (1905) to soldiers who died in the Boer War.
Priscilla walks on undaunted!
The picture has been quite a challenge which I shall miss. How do you follow a building like this?
Click on Image to Enlarge
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| York Minster (c1900) John Simlett 2012 Pen & Ink on 300gsm Cartridge 16" x 16" (40 cms x 40 cms) |
John, I doff my cap to you. This is one amazing drawing. I don't know if it's a quirk of the photograph but the left tower (as we look at it) seems much fainter than the others and I find my eye keeps getting drawn (excuse the pun) towards it as a result. But everything about this from the detailed architecture to the leaves on the trees, holds me in awe of your talent. Priscilla is a masterful touch. Kudos!!!
ReplyDeleteYes the photography is bad. I'm having a lot of originals scanned by my printers next Friday. If it works out ok, then I shall replace many of the pictures in my blog.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind comments.
MAgnificent, John. You could do another work from a different angle, or another side of the building. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kathryn ... I've stared another street like the Shambles
DeleteWow, John, what a wonderful drawing! Priscilla is a nice touch!
ReplyDeleteWell, I am truly gob smacked!!! This is incredible! All that intricate detail must send you giddy!! I really don't know how you could follow that, but I've no doubt you will find a way!!
ReplyDeleteHats off to you because I just wouldn't have the patience! You are a master with your magic pen!!!
By the way, yes I did stay at the Z hotel!!!
Thank you, Sandra, you're too kind.
DeleteSmall world!! ... small hotel!! ... but it worked out fine. We saw the stage shows, "Shrek," and, "Phantom of the Opera"
Dear John, your work is beautiful, accurate, precise, elegant! I hope it will solve the problem of photography.
ReplyDelete(I often see that my work is better than what I see on the screen.
The texture of the paper that is beautiful to see, in the photography is a series of small holes with small grayish shadows ...)
The historical notes are always interesting and make live the Cathedral.
In this way each of us is like Priscilla.
You take me with you in history, at the time and place of your beautiful drawing!!!Thanks,John!
You are so kind, than you for flattering comments, Rita. It's nice to know that people find the history behind the picture, interesting.
DeletePriscilla said thank you too! :0)
Ciao John,
ReplyDeleteposso solo dire: strabiliante! e anche incredibile! Con la tua abilità il mondo non può avere segreti per te...nel senso che potresti revelare anche i più piccoli particolari di qualsiasi cosa! Tanto e tanto di cappello!
Ciao, ciao, Floriana
It is strange that we are opposites: you the impressionist and me the 'realist' but yet we appreciate each others work (I loved your Marathon, by the way!)
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind remarks, Floriana
Wow! Seldom am I awestruck - but this work has done it.
ReplyDeleteI can't think of a suitable superlative that would fit. Outstanding is the best I can do :) xx
Thank you, Pat, your comments are heartening - thanks for becoming a follower.
ReplyDeletewoooo hooooooo what a beautiful rendering! You did an amazing job...! I really like that you can reproduce this so that many people can purchase it during your show. Fantastic work! Congratulations...!
ReplyDeleteGlad you like it, Celeste, thanks for your kind comments
ReplyDeleteOH MY GOODNESS, Outstanding work, John!!! I love it!!! The detailing on this piece would send me to the eye doctor...Congratulations!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Hilda... it certainly was a challenge
ReplyDeleteOMG! Your tenacity and skill are amazing! Of course I would have time to look at this. I wouldn't miss it. I came over as soon as I read your comment on my site. It's a magnificent structure and a magnificent drawing. I'm wondering if I appreciated thin the seventies on my "grand tour." I don't think so. I'll have to come again a wiser more appreciative me. We're so dumb when we're young.
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked it, Linda. You could never be dumb ... our views and tastes change overtime, that'a all. :0)
DeleteI don't know how you do these.. The details are just mind boggling. It may be blurred but its still wonderful. My monitors been acting up so today its fine and I could get here to really see this.
ReplyDeleteHi Cris, thanks for the comments, hope your monitor's fixed now
DeleteWow and double Wow!! John you are an amazing artist. Yes the only word to describe this pen and ink of yours, is Magnificent!! Thank you for sharing your talent.
ReplyDeleteall the best to you,
Joan
Thank you for your kind comments , Joan
DeleteIncredible work, how do you do this? It is so detailed, fine, elegant and perfect...I am in awe !
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Jane, you are too kind
ReplyDeleteSUPER ! ..work of love john ..you must be pleased with this one ... best wishes for pat
ReplyDeleteThanks Jane - I did enjoy it; Pat'a better(ish) now, thank you
DeleteFantastic work John as always. The detail is astounding and that's even with the fact that as you say reducing the size reduces our ability to see it as clearly - you should photograph one small section and enlarge it to show just how detailed the whole thing is - tht's what I do with my pen and ink pointillism which also gets lost in computer translation!
ReplyDeleteThanks Nicola - I know what you mean about the close up photography - I'll try to remember.
DeleteJohn - this is INCREDIBLE!!! The detail blows me away. All I can say is WOW!
ReplyDeleteGlad you're suitably impressed, Heather. Thanks for the kind comments
DeleteJohn, this seems to me to be such a labor of love and devotion - to the time and history of this place, to the magnificence of the structure and to the immensity of the challenge. You have done this superbly! After taming the York Minster I can't imagine there is anything in the world that could could not come alive under your pen! Stunning!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Susan, your comments a very kind and encouraging.
ReplyDeleteJohn, this is absolutely AMAZING!!!! Your patience, persistence and talent is just incredible. Well done!!
ReplyDeleteYour too kind, Minn - but thank you ;0)
DeleteHi John, I never know if I reply to a comment on my blog whether the person actually gets notified or not so thought I'd just write it here instead! I only wish I'd invented zentangles! I came across it via American folk whose blogs I follow and I think it was created by a couple who actually sell a 'pack' on how to do the various pattern! Its quite therapeutic in the same way as pointillism is.
ReplyDeleteOK thank you, Nicola - point made, pointillismwise :0)
DeleteOh John, this actually brought tears to my eyes when I enlarged the photo. It is just SO masterly done John. Truly you are a master artist. I love it so much. Fantastic and inspiring work John. :)
ReplyDeleteOr should I say Oy Guvna! ;)
Blimey Guvna, you're too perishing kind :0)
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked it, Crystal. I can't draw at the moment: my Granddaughter are doing an English degree, and have an assignment due ... aaaarrrgghhhh!
Returned to have another look at this gorgeous work! Maybe next post you can talk about how you frame these...I love your slide show on your sidebar...and how perfect everything looks!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Celeste - it took me ages to work out how thw slideshow worked!
ReplyDeleteThere's not much to tell on framing, nevertheless, I will tell a few funny stories on framing if you like.
Also, surprise, surprise, we have had a framer set up shop in our village! I shall chronicle developments as I try him out.
WOW! What a fantastic work, John! I have never seen something like this drawing.....so perfect, so beautiful! Ciao!
ReplyDeletePS : I will put right now your blog on my list of preferred blog.
Tito, thank you for your kind comments.
ReplyDeleteI already have you on my list :0) Ciao!
John, the detail work you do simply boggles my mind. I admire you so much for being able to draw this way. See me standing up and applauding! Bravo barely cuts it!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lynn. I've just left a message on your blog
ReplyDeletewhat is the next project going to be??
ReplyDeleteWow this is amazing!
ReplyDelete