Wednesday 2nd December - Idyll

 On the second day of Snogvent my true love gave to me this little beauty...

Idyll (1908-1911) Laurence Koe

It feels a bit cold and grey today, so this rosy gem rather appealed to me this morning as I huddle under a blanket with my chunky fleece on.  The lass here seems to be perfectly comfy on her tree stump in a floaty frock, while her beau is really not wearing very much at all.  It only seems five minutes since we were all steaming during our lockdown summer when this sort of shenanigan would have been fine - they are socialising in a group of less than six, and as long as they are from the same household I think snogging is allowed. Let's assume they are from the same household so we don't have to report them.  Anyway, I love how they seem to be part of the landscape - her feet and his hand seems to be like tree roots, thrusting into the earth.  Her dress floats into a haze with the surrounding flora and also billows in an echo of the clouds above them.  It does indeed look idyllic and they seem extremely happy with the peaceful solitude they have.  Good for them, and it makes me miss the sunshine almost as much as I miss seeing all of you lot.  Never mind, all being well, we'll be frolicking in the fields in the sunshine next year, although I'm bringing a blanket to put down because in my experience tree stumps tend to be damp and no-one needs that.

Sappho (1898)

Stephenson Edward Laurence Koe (1869-1913) is an artist I'm not overly familiar with but there are a couple of his paintings which I did recognise immediately because they were so lovely.  Born in London, he moved with his family to Brighton where he worked, producing paintings like Sappho and his most famous work Venus and Tannhauser (c.1896)...

Venus and Tannhauser (c.1896)

Now, come on Tannhauser, that is not in the spirit of Snogvent! Venus is quite obviously up for a bit of passion but Tannhauser is resisting her in a knightly manner.  Venus is merrily rolling around on a bed of roses (hopefully thornless) and must smell lovely.  Tannhauser looks like he's hanging onto his sword for dear life, if you excuse the expression.  It reminds me of this one...

The Temptation of Sir Percival (1894) Arthur Hacker

Yet again, a knight does not seem to do sharing! What is going on with them? I adore the Hacker painting because of his really over-the-top armour and I look a bit like the barefoot hussy.  Percival looks like he's managing to resist the hussy's ample charms perfectly well whilst Tannhauser is looking a tad desperate.  He's definitely done for and will be seen later, looking a bit dazed, limping and smelling of roses.

Have a tempting afternoon and I will catch up with you tomorrow...