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Wednesday 19 August 2009

Colourful Delft...

colourful Delft Pictures, Images and Photos

La Wiki knows...
"Delft is a city and municipality in the province of South Holland (Zuid-Holland), the Netherlands. It is located in between Rotterdam and The Hague. Delft is primarily known for its typically Dutch town centre (with canals); also for the painter Vermeer, Delft Blue pottery (Delftware), the Delft University of Technology, and its association with the Royal Family.

The city dates from the 13th century. It received its charter in 1246.

The association of the House of Orange with Delft began when William of Orange (Willem van Oranje), nicknamed William the Silent (Willem de Zwijger), took up residence there in 1572. William was the leader at the time in the struggle against the Spanish, the Eighty Years' War.

Fotograaf : G.J. Mooij Pictures, Images and Photos

Delft was one of the leading cities of Holland and was equipped with the necessary city walls to serve as a headquarters. When William was shot to death in 1584 by Balthazar Gerards in the hall of the Prinsenhof, the family's traditional burial place in Breda was in the hands of the Spanish. Therefore, he was buried in the Nieuwe Kerk (New Church), starting a tradition for the House of Orange that has continued to the present day.

Delft is well known for the Delft pottery ceramic products which were styled on the imported Chinese porcelain of the 17th century. The city had an early start in this area since it was a home port of the Dutch East India Company.

dutch east india company Pictures, Images and Photos

The painter Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675) was born in Delft. Vermeer used Delft streets and home interiors as the subject or background of his paintings.

Several other famous painters lived and worked in Delft at that time, such as Pieter de Hoogh, Carel Fabritius, Nicolaes Maes, Gerard Houckgeest and Hendrick Cornelisz. van Vliet. They all were members of the Delft School. The Delft School is known for its images of domestic life, views of households, church interiors, courtyards, squares and the streets of Delft. The painters also produced pictures showing historic events, flower paintings, portraits for patrons and the court, and decorative pieces of art".

This is the area that the pilgrims left from to travel to the New World...

Delfshaven Rotterdam Pictures, Images and Photos

8 comments:

Diane said...

Lovely city... lovely pictures!! I've missed you terribly!! XO

Unknown said...

Very interesting and beautiful city, I have never made it there to visit. But I do have an inherited piece of the pottery.

ArtistUnplugged said...

How fascinating!!! Beautiful pics of a lovely city. Thanks for the interesting history......luv that last photo....hmmmm, could be sentimental!!! ha

shabby girl said...

Wow! What a history lesson! You know, it's hard to imagine a city that has been around since the 13th century!!! Boggles the mind. I'm trying to imagine everyday life back then. Yikes!
What would a kid's rebellion have looked like then????

Zuzana said...

Since seeing the movie "Girl With The Pearl Earring" and reading the book as well, I have always wanted to visit the city where Vermeer lived and worked.;))
xo

Unknown said...

Hello Fhina,

I didn't know about the link between Delft and the House of Orange, so thanks for that.

Don't forget to try the appelflappen!

Suldog said...

Well, I've learned more today than I ever expected to! Thanks!

blognut said...

Awesome pictures, Fhina! As always...

Bloggus
xxooxx

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