Neat Discoveries

Adulteress before Christ, Ludovico Mazzolino (1480-1528), Strossmayer’s Gallery, Croatia

Wooden case with brass hardware for one pair of Nuremburg spectacles, late 17th century, Medical History Institute, Hallauer Collection, University of Bern, Switzerland. (Hover over the image to see the back of the casr.)

Death of Saint Martin of Tours and St. George as Dragon Slayer, Circle of Derick Baegert, oakwood, portion of an altarpiece, circa 1480, Westfälisches Landesmuseum on loan from the Westfälisches Art Association

Five ornate gilded and jeweled spyglass charms on a chatelaine, French, early 19th century, Museo dell’Occhiale, Pieve di Cadore, from their marvelous catalogue, Fabbri editor

Portrait of a Merchant, Bavarian Master, ca. 1475, ca. 44 x 39 cm. (The man is certainly no cleric or saint. The inscription, meaning "pious Joachim", and the halo are later additions, made in 1512, when the then owner turned the likeness of a real person into the image of a saint.)

Portrait of a Merchant, Bavarian Master, ca. 1475, ca. 44 x 39 cm., Kunstmuseum, Basel (The man is certainly no cleric or saint. The inscription, meaning "pious Joachim", and the halo are later additions, made in 1512, when the then owner turned the likeness of a real person into the image of a saint.),

Well of Moses

Gnalic Shipwreck (two slideshows)

Varaždin Blacksmith Guild's Box

Edward Scarlett Trade Card (three slideshows)

In the course of developing and growing this educational website many images arrive for evaluation every month. Each photo is described and dated while those specifically from institutions always receive their proper credit line. Curators are now beginning to search deeper into storage areas with more knowing eyes. At the same time recognition of our project is going well beyond the larger institutions. Smaller, less known museums and historic sites are now starting to participate in our efforts regarding this “taken for granted” topic.

The direct result of all this has been a very small group of photos which are quite different and distinct from all the rest. These have particular significance because either the images have deeper history or they simply call for much further analysis, research, and discussion. These select objects frequently have quite an interesting story behind them which distinguishes them from the much larger majority. In some cases we have learned new details while regarding several others unanswered questions remain. Further evaluation will eventually bring about a better understanding and the additional discussion and answers can lead to final closure. This research or “detective work” adds much personal enjoyment for me to this entire endeavor.

Essentially the few objects presented here are examples which can initiate and stimulate dialogue. This preliminary exchange will lead to a more formal type of FORUM on this website in the coming year where interested collectors, historians, researchers, curators and others can meet online to exchange scholarly ideas. People will be able to contribute their knowledge. Questions raised by one individual will likely be answered by another. A healthy medium can be created where an intellectual interchange will occur. Each person has the potential to become further educated by learning from another interested individual.

This new feature for the website, introduced here in mid 2006, will likely develop into a yearly webpage because much history abounds and this website is slowly expanding. The research of this project has begun to uncover optical treasures of all sorts. The special examples presented here are for you to enjoy. These may promote additional interest and if you have ideas you wish to share regarding any of these objects please send an email.
If you have an image that you believe deserves similar recognition then certainly send it in. In this same manner it will be shared and enjoyed by others.