Grad Trip-1st stop: Netherlands

It is my second time to be in the Netherlands.

Three years ago, I have been there with my friend Zivilus. I stayed in her house in southern part of the Netherlands most of the time and just spent a day in Amsterdam visiting the Van Gogh Museum and Zaanse Schans.

This time, I traveled with my family. We have spent 5 days in the Netherlands. We have been to different cities in the Netherlands including den Haag, Apeldoorn, Zaanse Schans and Amsterdam.

Den Haag
It was raining when we were in den Haag. Den Haag is famous for its Royal Picture Gallery Mauritshuis which is home to the world famous  ‘Girl with a Pearl Earring’ by Vermeer. Unfortunately, the museum is being renovated until summer 2014, and the famous painting is on a world tour. Luckily some of the collection could be seen  in the Gemeentemuseum. 

1. The Anatomy Lesson of dr Nicolaes Trip by Rembrandt in the Gemeentemuseum.

some details abt the painting: http://www.rembrandthuis.nl/index.php?item=229&lang=en

2. Johannes Vermeer, ‘View of Delft

details about the painting: http://www.essentialvermeer.com/catalogue/view_of_delft.html

3.Jan Brueghel the Elder with Peter Paul Rubens, ‘The garden of Eden, with the fall of men’

I quite like this painting because you can sense both harmony and tension. Eden is a paradise where Adam and Eve live happily with different kinds of animals and enjoying the best from God. But when you see the left hand side of the painting closely, you can sense that the serpent is tempting Eve to eat the forbidden fruit which caused her and Adam to be kick out from the paradise. 

However, they are forgiven by God as Rubens drew the grapes on the tree which symbolizes Jesus's blood.

More information about this painting: http://www.mauritshuis.nl/index.aspx?FilterId=988&ChapterId=2346&ContentId=17460

Another painting form Rubens I like: old woman and a boy with candles

It is a touching scene. A boy is about to light a wick from the burning candle held by the old woman. It symbolizes the love and kindness of the old woman and she is prepared to pass the good deeds to the little one. Her old, wrinkled face and the boy’s smooth, soft cheek are beautifully lit by the flame.

tbc

My Kaffeehaus

Xanga is closing down so I open a new blog to record my life.

I just had been to Vienna and Budapest and visited a few Kaffeehaus.

The Kaffeehaus is a typical Viennese institution and it was once a meeting point for artists, intellectuals including writers Arthur Schnitzler and Peter Altenberg. They all had enjoyed a sip of coffee while reading the newspapers or involving in conservation. They inspired and learnt from each other.

The Kaffeehaus is the best place to gather people informally, to share an idea or carry a new project.

It can be a public and private spot. You can talk to others or instead do some reading quietly.

I hope to share my journey with you in this platform in an informal, relax manner.

I truly hope that you can get inspired:)