Printed Christmas cards became popular in the Victorian period (1837-1901) thanks to a combination of cheaper printing techniques and even cheaper post, with the arrival of the Penny Black postage stamp. Coming in all shapes, sizes, and materials, Christmas cards were sent in their millions to all corners of the British Empire. Victorian illustrators created an entire mythology of exactly what we imagine a European Christmas should look like with their now-classic scenes of present-covered Christmas trees, holly, robins, sleighs, and snow-covered country lanes. When we dream of a white Christmas, it is the festive cards of the 19th century which are largely responsible for that evergreen imagery.
AI is tricky and it’s more of a challenge when you try to incorporate an existing portrait into a new environment. AI definitely favors creating from scratch. Some environments, and requests, it handles really well and others are completely fails. I’ll post a few fails eventually. #dogs #dogsoflondon #victorianera #midjourney #aiart #aiportraits #portrait https://www.instagram.com/p/Co0L5XspSvF/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
Sunday Mourning 🥀 I found these beautiful Victorian hand molds and knew I had to make a beautiful guest soap with them. Modeled after the infamous Victorian hand which can symbolize, love/romance, friendship or even grief and morning, created with Shea butter for a creamy bar and activated charcoal for cleansing. I scented these in a subtle Chamomile (pure essential oil, not a synthetic fragrance). You can find them in the shop and a bunch of other new things I’ve been adding ✨ #victorianera #victorianmourning #gothwitch #witchesofinstagram #witchery #witch #magick #victorianjewelry #victorianfashion #victorianaesthetic #gothaesthetic #cottagewitch #cottagecore #anitaapothecary https://www.instagram.com/p/CqUIGdQLWga/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
Printed Christmas cards became popular in the Victorian period (1837-1901) thanks to a combination of cheaper printing techniques and even cheaper post, with the arrival of the Penny Black postage stamp. Coming in all shapes, sizes, and materials, Christmas cards were sent in their millions to all corners of the British Empire. Victorian illustrators created an entire mythology of exactly what we imagine a European Christmas should look like with their now-classic scenes of present-covered Christmas trees, holly, robins, sleighs, and snow-covered country lanes. When we dream of a white Christmas, it is the festive cards of the 19th century which are largely responsible for that evergreen imagery.
19th-Century Christmas Card
Victoria and Albert Museum, London (See Original Source)
V: It’s wonderful! Victoria and I preserved the flowers from our wedding because they belonged to Emily once before. I miss her. On the other hand, me and Victoria have done lots of things together so far.
𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐕𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐚'𝐬 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭 A heart-shaped gold locket with the front engraved with an EV cypher (E for her father and V for her mother). The locket contains the hair of Duke Edward and Duchess Victoria of Kent. It reads " Present from her Mother to her beloved Victoria on the First Anniversary of her Birthday 24 May 1820. The gift from the Duchess of Kent was one of a group of jewels that were placed in the " Albert Room " at Windsor Castle after the death of Queen Victoria in 1901. The room was the same one in which Prince Albert died in 1861 and the Queen left instructions for a specific list of her personal jewellery to be placed there and not passed on in the family. #queenvictoria #queenvictoriaofengland #dukeofkent #duchessofkent #locket #royaljewellery #royaljewels #britishhistory #britishroyaljewels #historyroyals #historicalfigures #womeninroyalty #womeninhistory #jewellery #victorianjewelry #victorianera #history #royalhistory #royalty #royalfamily (at Kensington Palace) https://www.instagram.com/p/CjqMS5qITBJ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
The Disquieting World of Victorian Post-Mortem Photography
In the Victorian era, the art of post-mortem photography held a morbid fascination for many. Families, stricken by the loss of a loved one, would often commission a final portrait to immortalize their dearly departed. These unsettling images, featuring the deceased in lifelike poses, now serve as a chilling reminder of a time when death was ever-present, and memento mori took on a ghastly form. So, as you gaze upon these eerie relics, remember that they were once cherished keepsakes, tokens of love and loss in a bygone age.
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