Latest news with #Botticelli
Tatler Asia
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Tatler Asia
From the artistic to the mysterious, Franck Muller captivates with its latest collection
Franck Muller doesn't do quiet luxury—its watches are unapologetically bold and audacious by design The Franck Muller Crazy Hours is one of horology's most fascinating—and true to its name, delightfully mad—timepieces. Its dial features a seemingly chaotic jumble of hour markers, yet it still tells the correct time. It makes sense that such an audacious take on time-telling should be reimagined by one of the most avant-garde artists today—Jisbar, a French street artist known his 'reinventions' of classical masterpieces by Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Frida Kahlo, infusing them with modern pop culture references, vibrant colors, and graffiti-like elements. Read more: Sincere Platinum Jubilee Edition: Franck Muller Vanguard in ancient Damascus steel
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The Independent
13-05-2025
- General
- The Independent
Government bans early work of Botticelli from being exported out of UK
The government has banned a Botticelli painting worth more than £10m from being exported outside the UK. The Virgin and Child Enthroned, painted by the Italian master Sandro Botticelli in the 15th century, is at risk of leaving the country after it was sold by Sotheby's London last December for £9.7m. The UK government has now placed a temporary export bar on the work, which has been valued at £10.2m. The order will prevent it from leaving the UK until 8 August and allow time for a UK gallery or institution to acquire the painting for a British collection. The painting depicts an image of the Virgin Mary sitting on a throne with the child of Christ. It is believed to have been painted in the 1470s, early in Botticelli's career. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport said if saved, the painting would represent a significant addition to the body of work by Botticelli, best known for his painting The Birth of Venus, in UK collections. It added: 'Very few early Botticellis remain in the UK and it would provide a richer and more detailed understanding of his work and the development of Florentine painting in the later fifteenth century.' Christopher Baker, a member of the reviewing committee on the export of works of art and objects of cultural interest, which advises the government, said: 'Dating from the early 1470s, this affecting devotional work demonstrates the sophistication of Botticelli's painting early in his career in Florence. 'Probably intended to inspire private prayer in a domestic setting, it is an image that has a wider resonance as it delicately explores the power of maternal love.' According to Sotheby's, the painting was housed in the Convent of San Giuliano in Florence in the early 19th century and was later taken to a small chapel attached to a group of farmhouses near the village of Vaggio. It was then inherited by the owners of the property, who then sold it to an art dealer in 1903. It was then purchased by Lady Wantage in 1904, and the painting remained in the same family collection until the present day. 'The cult of, or enthusiasm for Botticelli, of which it formed a part, had grown during the Victorian era and the painting arrived in Britain in 1904; it was acquired by Lady Wantage and entered the renowned Lloyd collection,' Mr Baker added. 'Further research on the placement of Botticelli's work in his career and the organisation of his workshop, as well as links with the wider context of Florentine Renaissance art would all be of enormous benefit. 'In view of these intriguing possibilities every effort should be made to try and secure this beguiling painting for a British collection.'
Daily Mail
08-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
How 10,000 tiny pearls were secretly brought to the UK for Queen Elizabeth's wedding dress
In the wake of World War II, the wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Philip Mountbatten brought a sense of hope and renewal to a weary nation. On November 20, 1947, the couple exchanged vows at Westminster Abbey in front of 2,000 invited guests, while thousands more lined the streets of London to witness the grand occasion. The ceremony marked the beginning of what would become the longest royal marriage in British history. Princess Elizabeth was the tenth member of the Royal Family to marry at the Abbey - a venue steeped in personal significance. It was there that her father, King George VI, was crowned 11 years earlier, and where she herself would be crowned just five years after her wedding. For her bridal gown, Elizabeth turned to British couturier Norman Hartnell, who submitted 12 designs. One was approved in mid-August, less than three months before the ceremony. With wartime rationing still in effect, the dress was paid for using clothing coupons. In a heartfelt show of support, people from across the country sent the Princess their own coupons to contribute, though these were returned. Inspired by Botticelli's Primavera, the gown was crafted from duchesse satin sourced from Dunfermline and spun from silkworms imported from Nationalist China. It was adorned with thousands of pearls and embroidered with motifs symbolising post-war rebirth - roses, jasmine blossoms and ears of wheat - all stitched in silver and gold thread produced at Lullingstone Castle and woven by Warner & Sons. According to Hugo Vickers in his book Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, Hartnell's manager imported 10,000 tiny pearls from the United States, declared them at customs, and paid the duty. The gown featured a 13-foot silk tulle train attached at the shoulders, and Hartnell secretly included a four-leaf clover on the left side of the skirt, so the Princess' hand could rest upon it during the ceremony. Hartnell carried the same delicate aesthetic into the bridesmaids' dresses, worn by Princess Margaret, Princess Alexandra of Kent, Margaret Elphinstone, Pamela Mountbatten, and Diana Bowes-Lyon. He also designed outfits for key royal women, including an apricot brocade ensemble for Queen Elizabeth (later the Queen Mother) and a gold and blue chenille gown for Queen Mary. The bride's footwear - ivory satin sandals - was imagined by Hartnell and made by Rayne, with silver buckles studded with tiny pearls to match the dress. Due to enormous public interest, Hartnell had his Bruton Street premises whitewashed and curtained to maintain secrecy during the gown's production. For her 'something borrowed,' Princess Elizabeth wore the Queen Mary Fringe Tiara. After the ceremony, members of the Royal Family joined the bride and groom on the balcony of Buckingham Palace Originally a Collingwood necklace gifted to Queen Mary by Queen Victoria in 1893, it was later transformed into a diamond fringe tiara by Garrard in 1919. On the wedding day, the tiara snapped as it was placed on Elizabeth's head. A jeweller from Garrard swiftly repaired it and it was returned to the Princess by police escort. As a result of the rushed repair, a small gap remained between the centre fringe and the adjacent spike - an imperfection visible in photographs from the day. Completing her bridal ensemble were two pearl necklaces - the Queen Anne and Queen Caroline designs - gifts from her father, King George VI. The entire event was recorded and broadcast by BBC Radio to a global audience of 200 million listeners, making it one of the most significant public events of the post-war era. Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip's wedding was more than a royal celebration - it was a moment of unity and national pride, signifying a new chapter for both the monarchy and the country.
Daily Mail
05-05-2025
- Daily Mail
The tourist attractions with the longest queue times revealed - as expert shares hack on how you can save HOURS
The demand for world-famous attractions is higher than ever - and for tourists, this means frustrating delays and hours-long queues. According to a new study by solo travel specialist, Just You, travellers can waste up to 20 hours standing in queues while visiting some of the world's most popular sites - but which have the longest lines? The travel company's research analysed waiting times at some of the world's most famous landmarks and identified nine tourist attractions with the longest waiting times. Luckily, Just You unveiled how much time could be saved on queues if travellers were to pre-book a guided tour, which can help maximise a visitor's experience with fast-track access, seamless transport and expert planning to make the most of the day. Charlotte Field, Marketing Director at Just You, said: 'Pre-booked entry, fast-track passes and expert planning can all dramatically reduce waiting times at these must-visit destinations. 'This means that travellers can spend more time discovering cultural wonders, rather than waiting in line.' From skipping long queues at the Taj Mahal, or breezing past crowds at the Uffizi Gallery, read on to discover how much time you could save with the help of a guided tour at nine global attractions with the longest queues. 1. Taj Mahal - Agra, India With its breathtaking beauty, perfectly symmetrical design, and intricate marble inlay work, the Taj Mahal is undoubtedly a world-renowned architectural masterpiece. However, the India-based attraction has bagged the top spot for having the longest lines, which sees independent visitors queueing for up to 4 hours to explore the mausoleum. For travellers who choose to book with a guided tour operator, it's estimated they can gain entry in just 15 minutes, saving an impressive 3 hours and 45 minutes. 2. Château de Versailles - Versailles, France As one of France's top historical landmarks, the grandeur of Versailles attracts over 15 million tourists each year. However, without a plan, that can mean two hours of inching toward the entrance. But those who have an advance ticket with a tour operator can find themselves through the gates in just 20 minutes, leaving more time for strolling the Hall of Mirrors and picnicking in the palace gardens. 3. Uffizi Gallery - Florence, Italy A visit to Florence's Uffizi Gallery is a must for art lovers - but, without a timed-entry ticket, visitors could spend up to 2 hours and 30 minutes waiting to enter. Tours offer fast-track entry in as little as 20 minutes, freeing up 2 hours and 10 minutes for marveling at iconic works by the likes of Botticelli and Michelangelo. 4. Colosseum - Rome, Italy The Colosseum is renowned for its historic epic hunts and bloody gladiator battles - but visitors often find themselves combatting lengthy queues to appreciate the magnitude of the world's largest amphitheatre. The bustling attraction draws millions of tourists annually, who wait up to 2 hours and 30 minutes to gain entry. But with guided entry, visitors can step back in time in no less than 20 minutes, saving 2 hours and 10 minutes for sightseeing. 5. Leaning Tower of Pisa - Pisa, Italy Famous for its unintended tilt, the Leaning Tower of Pisa is recognised for its unique architectural style, making it one of Italy's most popular tourist attractions. The Tower gathers over 5 million visitors each year, meaning many are subject to wait times of up to 1 hour and 50 minutes to enter. Booking a tour grants visitors entry in as little as 15 minutes, saving 1 hour and 35 minutes of queueing time to take on the 251-step climb to the top of the structure. 6. Shrine Of Our Lady of Pompeii - Campania, Italy The Shrine Of Our Lady of Pompeii is a prominent Catholic pilgrimage site renowned for its history and spiritual significance, making it a top attraction for religious pilgrims and curious tourists alike. With guided entry, visitors can see their 1 hour 20 minute queue cut to just ten minutes, freeing up a spare hour to explore nearby Pompeii or indulge in regional cuisine. 7. Tokyo Tower Observation Deck - Tokyo, Japan The impressive panoramic view of Japan's capital from the top of Tokyo Tower is unmatched - but it often comes at the price of an hour-long wait. Tour packages offer near-instant access in as much as five minutes - giving visitors nearly an extra hour to explore Shibuya or tuck into a bowl of steaming hot ramen in Roppongi. 8. Blue Grotto - Capri, Italy Capri's famous Blue Grotto is known for its vibrant blue water and mythical history, but experiencing the otherworldly sea cave is often accompanied by a 1 hour 30 minute wait. Private boat tours can dramatically reduce wait times to just five minutes, which gives an extra 1 hour and 25 minutes to explore, sail, snorkel or dive into its brilliant blue waters. 9. Te Puia Thermal Reserve - Rotorua, New Zealand Home to bubbling mud pools, and Māori cultural experiences, Te Puia is one of New Zealand's top tourist sites. But without a guided experience, visitors often face queues of up to 1 hour and 30 minutes. A tour package can save the average tourist up to 1 hours and 20 minutes of waiting time, which frees up almost an extra 90 minutes to discover the power and history of the land.
Daily Mirror
22-04-2025
- Daily Mirror
Beautiful EU town sitting in shadows of overcrowded city filled with countryside
Surrounded by lush vineyards and olive groves, it's hard to believe this tranquil town is just a stone's throw from one of Italy's busiest cities. Welcome to Le Sieci Perched up high in the 'glorious' countryside, this tiny Italian town really is the epitome of peace and tranquillity. Despite boasting rolling views of vineyards, olive groves, and syrup-like sunsets, this slice of paradise has been cast into the shadows thanks to its tourist-saturated neighbour. In the first nine months of 2024, Florence had already welcomed a staggering 7.8 million tourists. Famed for its vibrant art scene, ethereal architecture (and delicious pizza) the capital city of Tuscany has long attracted romantics from around the world. It is the birthplace of the Renaissance, influenced painters like Botticelli and Michelangelo, and still looks like something straight out of a fairytale. But, the city's insatiably popularity has started to backfire on itself, with fed-up locals demanding drastic measures to tackle over-tourism. Legislation passed this year has already seen a ban on renting out apartments smaller than 28 square meters - with fines of up to €10,000 for rule breakers. But, just 11 miles away from the droves of selfie-stick-waving holidaymakers lies the laid-back Le Sieci. Formally part of the town of Pontassive, this picturesque destination is a perfect alternative for those wanting to experience a more authentic Italian holiday. "All around the surrounding countryside are story-book castles in the midst of grape vines," hailed travel experts over at Summer In Italy. "This area is noted for its production of Tuscany's most famous wine, Chianti, and some of its most famous wineries are in this area, including Frescobaldi and Ruffino." The 'cute and compact' hotspot - which is a 36-minute drive from Florence - is the perfect base for those wanting to hike through the countryside, chill by the water, or spend their evening tasting locally-produced wines. There are a slew of pizzerias, bars and gift shops in the town too. History buffs will have to visit Castel di Poggio, which is located in the heart of the town. Originally built in 1348, the castle was destroyed by the Signoria of Florence, but has since been restored to its former glory. Here, you'll also find the town's cultural centre. You can fly directly to Florence from London Gatwick and Heathrow Airport, with flight times taking just two hours and 25 minutes on average. If you're flexible with dates, you can grab return flights for as little as £50 in June. After touching down in Italy, you're only a 36-minute taxi ride from Le Sieci. Getting accommodation in Le Sieci itself can be difficult due to its tiny size. However, there are several resorts and B&Bs located on the outskirts. For example, a week's stay (Monday, June 2-9) at the three-star Villa D'Arte Agri Resort - which is 1.2 miles from Le Sieci - will set you back £737, based on two adults sharing.
