Hello, Friends!
Lady Artist - Artemisia Gentileschi
Artemisia Gentileschi, an Italian Baroque painter, lived from 1593-1656. In May, Bryna and Gail went to an exhibit called ‘By Her Hand: Artemisia Gentileschi and Women Artists in Italy, 1500–1800’ at the Detroit Institute of Arts. If you get a chance to see her work, go! Artemisia is another talented, and intelligent businesswoman who lived an extraordinary life.
ICYMI - Our piece on our trip to Belgium and standing in awe of the Ghent Altarpiece.
A Woman to Know -
Edna Gladney (1886-1961)
A woman who spent most of her life in Texas, Jillian’s neck of the woods, Edna Gladney was an early pioneer in the treatment of orphaned children. As a young girl of nineteen, Edna extended her stay in Fort Worth, Texas for life when she married Sam Gladney, a local businessman. Born out of wedlock herself, Edna’s passion for the welfare of children was ignited when she observed a “poor farm” with terrible conditions. Helping to run the Texas Children’s Home and Aid Society, Gladney’s life mission is portrayed in the 1941 film Blossoms in the Dust.
Quick Takes - In honor of the recently departed Angela Lansbury, City of Ladies is looking back over her long and illustrious career! Here are just a few of her enjoyable films:
National Velvet - Sometimes on a summer evening, my family quotes this movie and sees how far we can get from memory. The charm and sincerity of this film captures the joy of a loving family with widely varied interests. As a child, this felt like a movie about my life as a homeschooler and honestly, I wasn’t wrong.
The Court Jester - Some of the best 1950s comedy has to offer. Lansbury’s melodramatic princess is overblown in the very best way. I challenge you to keep track of where the pellet with the poison is. To this day, I can’t.
Animated Classics: Anastasia and Beauty & the Beast - Angela Lansbury voiced characters in both of these classic animated features. Whether it’s the tale as old as time or the lost princess’s mourning grandmother, Lansbury’s rich voice brings these classic 90s films to life!
Gaslight - Lansbury’s first credited role is still one of Jillian’s favorites, and is a good one for Halloween season. The movie that created “gaslight” as a verb in our vocabulary, Lansbury’s character contributes to the plot to drive poor Ingrid Bergman mad in this truly original suspense film. Chilling to the bone.
Nanny McPhee - In this Mary Poppins-esque story of childhood and growing up, Lansbury brings her most imperious and ridiculous energy as the feared Aunt Agatha. Her chemistry with Colin Firth is delightful!
Murder, She Wrote - A show for lovers of murder mysteries.
Daily Delights -
Bryna: I enjoyed Micaela Erlanger’s How to Accessorize: A Perfect Finish to Every Outfit this week. It’s short, straight-forward, and doesn’t obsess over silliness of fashion. Great for practical tips in accenting your wardrobe efficiently and beautifully.
Jillian: I’m going to be the first person to admit it - I’m minorly obsessed with Taylor Swift’s Midnights. Ya know, along with the other 7 billion people on this planet. Dear Reader is my fall mood.
Kiernan: I spent half an hour discussing El Greco's Agony in the Garden with my 4th graders. Their insight into Jesus' human agony - the fear, the sadness, and the betrayal that he must have felt - is strengthening my faith this week. (https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Agony_in_the_garden_El_Greco.jpg)
Gail: We have been studying Kristi McLelland’s Bible study, Jesus and Women In the First Century and Now, and loving it! If you want to learn about the dignity given to women by Jesus, try this study. https://www.newlensbiblicalstudies.com/about/
The Not-So-Commonplace -
“A woman’s name raises doubts until her work is seen.” ~Artemisia Gentileschi, 1649