Ann de Laurén: August 2010

25 August 2010

19th Cent. Ludwig II, King of Bavaria.

Ludwig Friedrich Wilhelm was born on 25 August 1846, in Schloss Nymphenburg, near Munich. He was the son of Marie of Prussia, Queen Consort of Bavaria (15 October 1825 - 17 May 1889) and Maximilian II, King of Bavaria (28 November 1811 - 10 March 1864). His maternal grandparents were Princess Marie Anna of Hesse-Homburg and Prince Wilhelm of Prussia. His paternal grandparents were Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen (8 July 1792 - 26 October 1854) and Ludwig I, King of Bavaria (25 August 1786 - 29 February 1868). Ludwig's parents were married on 12 October 1842. He had a younger brother, Otto Wilhelm Luitpold Adalbert Waldemar (27 April 1848 - 11 October 1916). He was christened Ludwig after his grandfather, Ludwig I on 26 August 1845. Ludwig I abdicated on 20 March 1848, in favour of his son, as Maximilian II. Ludwig was a close friend of his cousin, Elisabeth, Duchess in Bavaria (24 December 1837 - 10 September 1898). Ludwig was nicknamed "the Eagle" and Elisabeth "the Seagull". Elisabeth married Franz Joseph I, Emperor of Austria (1830-1916) on 24 April 1854, in St. Augustine's Church, Wien. Ludwig saw the opera Lohengrin by Richard Wagner on 2 February 1861, in Munich. He saw Tannhäuser on 22 December 1861. Maximilian II died 10 March 1864, in Munich. He was buried in Theatinerkirche, Munich. He was succeeded by his son, as Ludwig II. He later said; "I became King much too early. I had not learned enough. I had made such a good beginning... with the learning of state laws. Suddenly I was snatched away from my books and set on the throne. Well, I am still trying to learn..." Ludwig II met the composer Richard Wagner on 4 May 1864, in Munich. After this meeting Richard Wagner wrote; "Today I was brought to him. He is unfortunately so beautiful and wise, soulful and lordly, that I fear his life must fade away like a divine dream in this base world... You cannot imagine the magic of his regard: if he remains alive it will be a great miracle!" This was the beginning of a strong friendship and patronage, between the King and the composer. In 1865, Wagner left Munich. In 1866, the conflict between Austria and Prussia led to the Seven Weeks War. Bavaria was forced to form an alliance with Prussia. Ludwig II visited Richard Wagner from 22 May 1866 to 24 May 1866, in the Villa Tribschen, near Lucerne. Ludwig was engaged to Sophie, Duchess in Bavaria (23 February 1847 - 4 May 1897) on 22 January 1867. She was the daughter of Marie Ludovika, Princess of Bavaria (30 August 1808 - 25 January 1892) and Maximilian Joseph, Duke in Bavaria (4 December 1808 - 15 November 1888). The younger sister of Empress Elisabeth. From 20 July 1867 to 29 July 1867, Ludwig II visited the World Exhibition in Paris, France. He wrote to Wagner, "Oh, if only I could be carried on a magic carpet to you... at dear, peaceful Tribschen - even for an hour or two. What I would give to be able to do that!" The wedding was cancelled on 7 October 1867. He wrote in his diary, "Sophie is finished with. The gloomy picture vanishes. I longed for freedom, I thirsted for freedom, to wake from this horrible nightmare." Premiere of Richard Wagner's Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg on 21 June 1868, in the Nationaltheater, in Munich. Sophie married Ferdinand Philippe Marie, Duc d'Alençon (12 July 1844 - 29 June 1910) on 28 September 1868, at Possenhofen Castle, near Starnberg. The foundation stone of Neuschwanstein was laid on 5 September 1869. From 21 August 1874 to 28 August 1874, Ludwig II visited France. He stayed at Versailles and Fontainebleau. In 1878, the Linderhof Palace was finished. The foundation stone of Herrenchiemsee Palace was laid on 21 May 1878. Richard Wagner died on 13 February 1883, in Venice. In May 1884, Ludwig II stayed for the first time in his castle Neuschwanstein. Ludwig II was declared mentally incompetent and deposed as King of Bavaria on 10 June 1886. Prince Luitpold of Bavaria took over the regency on 10 June 1886. Ludwig II was arrested on 12 June 1886, in Neuschwanstein Castle. He was interned in Berg Palace. Ludwig and the psychiatrist Dr. Bernhard von Gudden went for a walk at 6:30 p.m. on 13 June 1886. They never returned. Ludwig II and Dr. von Gudden were found dead at 11:30 p.m. on 13 June 1886, in the water near Lake Starnberg. He was laid in state in Berg Palace and the Hofkapelle, in Munich. He was interred on 19 June 1886, in the crypt of St Michael's Church, in Munich. His heart was placed in a silver urn in the Gnadenkapelle, in Altötting. According to Empress Elisabeth; "The King was not mad; he was just an eccentric living in a world of dreams. They might have treated him more gently, and thus perhaps spared him so terrible an end." His mother, Marie died on 17 May 1889, in Hohenschwangau Castle, Bavaria. She was buried in Theatinerkirche. Once his fiancé, Sophie died in a fire on 4 May 1897, at a charity bazaar, in Paris. His brother, Otto was deposed as King on 5 November 1913. Ludwig II once said; "I want to remain an eternal mystery to myself and others." His wish came true; Ludwig II remains a haunting enigma, the immortal fairytale King, a legend for eternity.

16th Cent. Lady Katherine Grey, Countess of Hertford.

Lady Katherine Grey was born on 25 August 1540, at Bradgate Park, in Leicester, England. She was the daughter of Frances Grey (16 July 1517 - 20 November 1559) and Henry Grey, Marquess of Dorset (17 January 1515 - 23 February 1554). Her maternal grandparents were Mary Tudor (18 March 1496 - 25 June 1533) and Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk. Her paternal grandparents were Margaret Wotton and Thomas Grey. Katherine's parents were married in 1533, in Southwark, London. She had two sisters, Lady Jane Grey (1537 - 12 February 1554) and Lady Mary Grey (1545 - 20 April 1578). Henry VIII, King of England (28 June 1491 - 28 January 1547) died on 28 January 1547, at the Palace of Whitehall. He was buried in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. He was succeeded by his son, as Edward VI, King of England (12 October 1537 - 6 July 1553). Lady Katherine Grey married Henry Herbert and her sister, Lady Jane Grey married Guildford Dudley (ca 1533/1536 - 12 February 1553) on 25 May 1553, at Durham House, in London. Edward VI died on 6 July 1553. The death was kept secret for several days to prevent Princess Mary (18 February 1516 - 17 November 1558) from claiming the Crown. Lady Jane Grey was proclaimed Queen of England on Monday, 10 July 1553. Jane Grey was ordered to resign the title of Queen on 19 July 1553, by the newly appointed Queen Mary I. John Dudley was executed on Monday, 23 August 1553, at Tower Hill. Jane Grey and Guilford Dudley were tried and sentenced to death on 13 November 1553, at Guildhall. Lady Jane and Guildforf Dudley were executed on 12 February 1554, at Tower of London. Her father, Henry, Duke of Suffolk was executed on 19 February 1554. Her husband, Henry had their marriage annulled. Her mother, Frances Brandon married Adrian Stokes in March 1555. Their children included, Elizabeth Stokes (16 July 1555 - 7 February 1556). Queen Mary I died on 17 November 1558, at St. James Palace, in London. She was buried in Westminster Abbey, in London. She was succeeded by her half-sister, as Elizabeth I, Queen of England and Ireland (7 September 1533 - 24 March 1603). Her mother, Frances died 20 November 1559. She was buried at Westminster Abbey. Lady Katherine Grey married secretly her second husband, Edward Seymour, 1st Earl of Hertford in December 1560. Katherine and Edward were imprisoned in the Tower of London. Their marriage was annulled in 1562. Katherine gave birth to two sons, Edward Seymour and Thomas Seymour in the Tower.

The Children of Katherine Grey and Edward Seymour:

Edward Seymour, Lord Beauchamp of Hache (1561-1612) Married 1st: Honora Rogers. Married 2nd: Lady Frances Devereux in 1616.

Thomas Seymour (1563 -)

Her sister, Lady Mary Grey married secretly Thomas Keyes in 1565. Elizabeth I had the couple arrested when she discovered the marriage. Mary was placed under custody and Thomas was sent to Fleet Prison. They never saw each other again. Katherine Grey died aged 27, on 26 January 1568, at Cockfield Hall, in Oxford. She was buried in Cockfield Chapel, Yoxford Church, in Suffolk. Mary Grey died on 20 April 1578.

18-19th Cent. Ludwig I, King of Bavaria (25 August 1786 - 29 February 1868)

19 August 2010

19-20th Cent. Olga Baclanova

Olga Vladimirovna Baklanova was born on 19 August 1896, in Moscow, Russian Empire. She was the daughter of Alexandra and Vladimir Baklanoff. Olga studied drama at the Cherniavsky Institute, in Moscow. In 1912, she attended the Art Theatre, in Moscow. Olga Baclanova married Vlademar Zoppi in 1922. In 1925, she made her debut on stage in New York. In 1927, Baclanova appeared as Duchess Josiana in The Man Who Laughs. In 1928, as Baroness Hilda Brings in Three Sinners, Annie in The Street of Sin, Lou in The Docks of New York, Lilly Harlow in Forgotten Faces and Grace Stillwell in Avalanche. Baclanova and Zoppi were divorced on 23 February 1929. The couple had one child. Olga Baclanova married her second husband, Nicholas Soussanin on 5 March 1929. In 1929, she was Olga Bradford in The Wolf of Wall Street, Sonia Barondoff in The Man I Love and Tania Gregory in A Dangerous Woman. In 1930, she starred as Yvonne in Cheer Up and Smile, Countess Helena in Are You There? In 1931, as Savarova in The Great Lover. In 1932, Anne in The Billion Dollar Scandal, Cleopatra in Freaks and Baroness in Downstairs. Baclanova and Soussanin were divorced in 1939. They had one child. Olga Baclanova married her third husband, Richard Davis in 1939. In 1943, Olga Baclanova appeared as Mme. Daruschka in Claudia. Olga Baclanova died aged 78, on 6 September 1974, in Vevey, Switzerland. She was buried in the Corsier Cemetery, in Corsier-sur-Vevey.

18 August 2010

August in Nice

Fountain at Place Masséna

Wednesday, 11th August 2010, Nice

View from Le Château

Thursday, 12th August 2010, Nice

IN MEMORIAM 1829

Friday, 13th August 2010, Nice

LA VILLE DE NICE A SES FILS MORTS POVR LA FRANCE

Friday, 13th August 2010, Nice

LA VILLE DE NICE

Sunday, 15th August 2010, Nice

Place Masséna
Sunday, 15th August 2010, Nice

La Promenade des Anglais

Sunday, 15th August 2010, Nice

Monday, 16th August 2010, Nice

Yes, it is nice in Nice, with warm and peaceful days relaxing on the beach. Walking on the Promenade des Anglais, discovering Vieille Ville, the Harbor, admiring the view from Le Château and just enjoy everything Nice so graciously give. The sun, the sky, the sea, the whole atmosphere... Visiting the pretty villages by the sea and with just a short train ride you're in Cannes or Monaco. The French Riviera entices and seduces, and it certainly keeps its promises of a marvelous time. According to I am the Most Interesting Book of All: The Diary of Marie Bashkirtseff by Marie Bashkirtseff, "People may go through the world. They will find sublime landscapes, impressive mountains, frightful gulfs, wild beauties of nature, picturesque towns, great cities; but, on returning to Nice one would say that elsewhere it was beautiful, magnificent! but here it is pleasant, attractive, congenial; here one wants to stay; here one is alone and surrounded, hidden and in sight, as one desires. Nowhere else does one breathe as freely, as joyously. Nowhere else is there this extraordinary blending of the real and the artificial, the simple and the exquisite! Finally, what shall I say? Nice is my city. I am going, but I shall return."

Excerpt: I am the Most Interesting Book of All: The Diary of Marie Bashkirtseff.