Pot-pourri 21-1

Mr. Simon Simba, Esq. Vincennes zoo, Paris, early 80’s.

Kenya-born Minette, Paris, c.1972. My parents brought the cat back from Africa. They did not bring her BFF the dog back. We had words.

“Silently a flower blooms.” Zenkei Shibayama. Tlalpan, Mexico city. 2020.

A small Gothic church. Taverny, north of Paris. This church was finished in 1240. Almost 800 years ago. There are still thousands of churches as this one across the countryside. Many in disrepair.

“A tan is health for the winter. I tan five times as fast and without burns using Ambre Solaire.” A 60’s ad I found on “Le Point”. My mother was a big fan of Ambre solaire… Not good. Sun is bad for you.

Vernon Goutière was a first cousin of my grandmother’s. All born in India. He and Kay married in 1944 in New Guinea, only recently taken from the Japanese. The war still raged in the Pacific and in Europe. Vernon’s brother, Peter Goutière, was then a pilot for Tchang Kai-Check, with Chennault’s Flying tigers. Last I heard, Peter was still alive and kicking at 109. Stay safe, Uncle Pete.

“Be brave, wear it.” A campaign led by City Hall. Tlalpan, Mexico city. 2021.

The three Musketeers, by Manuel Urrutia, an Argentinian painter, frequent supplier of ours. That one fell off the wall. Needs reframing.

Branding – and vaccinating – cattle, Colombia, mid 80’s. The faithful Lisandro running the show.

This one is for Harleyte, aka Mélie:

https://harleyte.wordpress.com/2020/11/28/question-du-soir/

Tlalpan, Mexico. 16th century window. For Flavia:

Vico Equense – Roofs

A celebration of harvest. Probably in Oaxaca, Mexico. This is called an “Amate”. Ink on the bark of a tree called Amate. I’m not sure there are many trees left.

Church door nearby. 16th, 17th century. Tlalpan, Mexico city. That one is for Manja. A door fan: https://mexcessive.photo.blog/2021/01/17/january-2020/

Emiliano Zapata (1879-1919). Zapata was one the leaders of the Mexican Revolution of 1910. He defended the poor landless peasants. His motto was “Tierra y libertad”. Land and freedom. He was assassinated in 1919, as most – if not all – leaders of the Revolution. Note the very fine horse – or pony rather -, the delicate work of the saddle. And the rifle. (Photo from an expo at the local City Hall)

Malinalco, 2020, a century later. A fine horse and saddle. Sans rifle. Note the sandals on the owner’s feet.

Little red riding cap. Tlalpan. At an outdoor theatre performance. Yes. People sat on the pavement close together without masks… (once upon a time)

Beyond the shadow of a tree. Tlalpan. Been working on shadows a bit lately.

The “India room”, aka my library/study. (Better a Snob than a slob, right?) Mostly, but not exclusively, Indian art. My Lord Krishna is playing the flute top left (Hare hare). This and the tiger hunt to the right, is a common “Indian” graphic style imported by the Persians when they invaded India in the 18th century.

“View in perspective of the island of Bombay in Africa, on the coast of Malabar, kingdom of Vinapour…” A fascinating geographic mistake. Placing India in Africa! The handwritten sentence in Dutch (Gesigt van het eiland Bombay in Africa) below says the same thing. Late 18th, early 19th century.

New Year’s eve, with my little sister in Paris. Costume party obviously, old chap. Early 80’s. Been a while.

Thank you again for flying Equinoxio Airways’ Time-Space shuttle. Stay safe. 🙏🏻😷