Looking through any collection of old postcards one is often struck by the elaborate handwriting. Stylish it may be, but so often it is also difficult to interpret by modern eyes more used to 12 point Times Roman or Arial. This 1901 postcard appears to have been sent to a Miss Connelly (or is it Connellie) of Linden Mansions, Highgate, but even the 1901 postman seems to have had problems with the swirls and curls as there is a note on the top corner saying "Returned from 7, Ludlow Gardens". Jean-Louis-Ernest Meissonier was a famous 19th century French painter, famous for his depiction of Napoleon and his army. There is a rather splendid photograph of Meissonier in the collection of the New York Public Library. Quite a man. Quite a beard.
He could clean his brushes in that beard.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how often he had to turpentine his beard to get the paint out! Or perhaps he tied it back while painting! Amen on penmanship!
ReplyDeleteOr, perhaps he braided his beard?! Yep, you are right--that is SOME beard! lol
ReplyDeleteI thinking his beard was safe, a stomach's length away from the canvass.
ReplyDeleteThe writing on the card grabbed my attention, odd how our handwriting styles have evolved. I do not like beards because all i think of is the dust and germs that must be lurking there .
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