Buoyed up by a couple of stained glass windows in The Cloisters, I have began my Balloon Series using coloured inks (and a little black) only. This is my first venture into the world of colour - I'm strictly mono-man, as a rule.
click on image
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| Vincenzo Lunardi (Scotland, 28 July 1786) John Simlett Pen & Ink on Cartridge Paper 12 inches x 8 inches |
Allow me to present another of my Heroes, Vincenzo Lunardi, an Italian who was born in Lucca in 1759. He found fame as the first person to fly in England. This gallant young man became the toast of Britain, the Johnny Depp of his day, the Cap'n Jack Sparrow of the Aeronauts... and darling of the ladies!
He spent the most successful period of his aviation career in Scotland, from September 1785 to late 1786. During this time he wrote frequently to his Guardian, Chevalier Gerardo Compagni.
400 copies of his letters were printed in a book form, by Lunardi, under the title,
An
Account
of
Five Aerial Voyages
in
SCOTLAND
in a
Series of Letters
to his
GUARDIAN
Chevalier Gerardo Compagn
by Vincent Lunardi, Esq.
I am privileged to posses copy 34, of the letters, and consequently. feel that I know him fairly well. His written English is impeccable.
Although he was always an Italian, and returned there in April 1788, during his period in Britain he became totally British, writing:
...In my Aerial Voyages in Scotland, I was treated with great Favour. This I attributed to the Character of the Nation [...] I am a Child of Britain by Species of Adoption (May 2, 1786)
You can probably see why I want to write his biography, a real class act. The other half of the biography, however, concerns James Tyler, a Scot who was the first person to fly in Britain (Scotland) beating Lunardi by a month or so.
Tyler is the antithesis of Lunardi - his balloon was a basket covered in canvas, for example, whilst Lunardi's was of the finest silk. He hero-worshipped Lunardi, writing, An Ode to Lunardi, which ran to many pages.
But I've written enough, and risk becoming boring.
Congratulations, John.
ReplyDeleteA colourful (colorful) and riveting
depiction of Lunardi.
Plus, "The Cloisters" (see, above, Top Right) continues to beguile.
Thank you for your kind comments, Zephyrinus. I'm pleased that you found it of interest.
DeleteHot air balloons are magical, as is your first coloured rendering. Bravo--but then I loved The Cloisters.
ReplyDeleteYou have an amazing appetite for history and your accounts are always interesting. No hot air here John.
My dear, Linda, you are always so kind and supportive ... technically you are right :0) It's a hydrogen balloon!
DeleteOh yes John, another brilliant post. Art, history. All so very interesting. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteJoan nice to see you here, loved you Pumpkin Farm. Thank you.
DeleteOne thing for sure, John..you can never be boring! Such an interesting post and your first painting of a balloon in color is Outstanding!!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you enjoyed it, Hilda. I'm also glad you had a nice day with Joan Sicigano at Rhode Island!
DeleteThis is so exciting to see you delving into a new arena for you! Color! It's spendid!
ReplyDeleteThank you Lynn. I encourage everyone to pop over to Lynn's place to view here photographs of her recent tour of the Black Hills of Dakota ... totally amazing!
DeleteAn amazing colorful drawing and verrrry interesting post.
ReplyDeleteHow long did it take you to draw every tie-line and webbing to the basket?
I am curious about the ornate, fabric roof on the basket. How did they protect it from catching on fire?
Surprising enough, Julie, the tie-lines took very little time - I used French curves. I wish I could have left them off, they spoil the outline. I think I shall colour the paddles deep blue - they seem so stark as they are.
DeleteIt is one if the first Hydrogen balloons, no fire involved, as opposed to the hot air balloons with their 'inflammable air'.
My countrymen are really the characters! I was born in the province of Lucca!
ReplyDeleteThis surname is still very common in Tuscany.
Lucca is still a special city that would put wings to your pen with ink! It still keeps perfect all its walls, where most of the city in the name of modernity were destroyed to build new urbanism!
Your work is brilliant and refined,dear John:Mr Lunardi would love loved this piece of art!
The Hydrogen balloon (which Lunardi is flying) was invented by an Italian. He filled soap bubbles with hydrogen ...and went on from there.
DeleteI would love to draw Italian scenes ...and will get around to them, Rita. My problem is I want to draw everything and keep rushing from one project to another, which is fun!
Thank you for your kind comments.
No John, never boring! What amazing detail in the drawing! And what a character, this mr Lunardi! I'm curious about the basket of the balloon too, but I guess we'll have to read your book.
ReplyDeleteThe basket was like a metal bird cage, hung from the balloon and then covered by fancy velvet drapes. It was designed to carry one person, but, at a squash, it took two. Which is why he took lots of young ladies for flights!!
DeleteGlad you liked it, Judy
Hi John, I am old enough, and I should at least know the name of this Italian pioneer in the history of human flight. Unfortunately it is not so, so have to thank you for having published this interesting post. But the most important thing is to tell you.....that your aerostatic balloon is fantastic. Ciao!
ReplyDeleteThese early balloonists seem to have fallen out of the history books - which is a shame. I'm trying to get them back into the eyes of the public.
Deletethank you for your kind comments, Tito. Ciao!
Oh do write it, John. You already have me hooked and I so love this illustration using only ink and primary colors. Methinks there is nothing you can't do!
ReplyDeleteI'm doing the artwork first, Sherry ... then I will attempt to write the thing :0)
DeleteAs always, another interesting post with colorful art and a history lesson. I've never been in a hot air balloon, have you?
ReplyDeleteThank you, Laura.
ReplyDeleteWell I've parachuted from two 'gas' filled balloons - as part of my aircrew training (scared the life out of me!).
All the first day covers I designed had to be flown in a hot air balloon and then signed by the pilot ... and the flight details added later to the envelope, via a rubber stamp I had to design (that gave the flight details).. so I got quite a few 'lifts' in them.
This is a brilliant drawing John and so different from your architectural studies. The colours work really well and I'm amazed at the detail in the Royal Insignia. The drawing tells a story ... and your story paints the picture. Another fascinating post. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteJohn, you rascal, you left us with a cliff-hanger! I want to know more about the elegant Lunardi and the rougher but keen Tyler. What a fabulous tale, and you tell it so well. :)
ReplyDeletea brilliant drawing....and the color is sublime!
ReplyDeleteI do believe that the elegant and eloquent Vincenzo Lunardi would love your drawing!
ReplyDelete