Wine Bar, à la 16th Century

A working replica of a sixteenth century wine fountain has been unveiled at Hampton Court. The fountain was modeled on those depicted in a painting of the Field of Cloth of Gold, the opulent meeting between Henry VIII and François I staged in 1520. Wine may be purchased from the fountain at a cost of £3.50 per glass from May 1. Now you, too, can "faire bonne chère" at Henry's pleasure palace. Articles, with photos, here and here.

Exhibit: "An Earthly Paradise": The Art of Living at the French Renaissance Court

An amazing exhibition of art and rare books specific to the French Renaissance has just come to my attention. Cornell University's Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art is hosting 'An Earthly Paradise': The Art of Living at the French Renaissance Court from January 16 until April 18, 2010. The exhibit brings together Renaissance holdings that reflect "the magnificence of the French royal court and the rise of that strange animal, the courtier." It treats five themes: "Importing Italian Culture," "Warriors and Patrons: The Valois Kings as Patrons," "Diana/Diane," "Ideal Courtiers, Real Courtiers," "An 'Earthly Paradise'?" The website includes a gallery that displays and explains five or six items included under each theme--the photos and write-ups are excellent. Explore the website--it's almost as good as being there! If anyone does get a chance to catch the exhibit in person, please come back and give us your impressions. I certainly wish I could attend.

[Of particular interest to me, in the context of my current novel, were the Cornelius Bos engraving of Michelango's Leda and the Swan, portraits of François and Marguerite, and du Cerceau's engraving of Fontainebleau.]