The florist-photographer turning vases of flowers into a 21st century Grand Masters
Harald Altmaier's pictures 'are closer to paintings than classic photographs,' writes Carla Passino in today's print edition of Country Life. In an amazing (and lushly illustrated) article, Carla describes how the artist portrays 'monumental floral arrangements against gilded mirrors, sleeping cherubs and swathes of damasks, silks and rich velvets that cascade in sinuous drapes, as butterflies, caterpillars or stag beetles frolic among the petals.'
We're thrilled that as well as sharing his images and his story with Country Life, Harald has also put together this video on his life, his work and his inspiration. And for added value, it even features his dogs.
Quiz of the Day
1) Musophobia is a fear of what? 2) Who wrote the opera The Barber of Seville? 3) Which metal signifies a 10th wedding anniversary? 4) What type of insect is a grizzled skipper? 5) How many rounds are fired from the Tower of London to salute The King's birthday?
Answers at the bottom of the page
If it's good enough for Winnie-the-Pooh, it's good enough for me and you
Those at a loose end in Sussex on Thursday could do worse than visit the launch of 'Ashdown Forest Through My Lens', a new exhibition of the pictures of Craig Payne. Ashdown Forest — spiritual home of Winnie-the-Pooh — is one of southern England's most beautiful areas.
Strictly Kelvin Fletcher
Former Strictly Come Dancing winner-turned Derbyshire farmer Kelvin Fletcher was James's guest on the podcast this week — and he was a joy to talk to. Don't miss this glorious episode.
The gift for the horse that has everything
'Hello Sales,' begins one of the more unusual emails received int he Country Life office this week, purporting to be from a Dr Elijah Blake.
'Am e-mailing concerning purchase of horse solarium for pick-up at your store. Let me know the total pricing for 12 pieces of the following: Horse Solarium Unit with 12 Shatter-Proof, Low-Glare Infrared Lamps.'
Solariums for horses, eh? Who knew? While Dr Blake's email had clearly found the wrong recipient, it turns out that they really do exist — not to give Dobbin a suntan, but to keep him or her warm and happy in winter. The people at horsesolarium.co.uk describe it as something to providing horses 'with the light they need to remain fit, healthy and energised, as well drying off the animal to avoid the chills and muscle discomfort associated with exercising in damp or wet conditions.'
You really do learn a new thing every day.
Want to live in a National Park?
Then get ready to dig deep, as Annabel Dixon discovered in her Property Talk column the other day. There's a 25% premium on homes in one of the nation's National Parks, according to new research.
That's it for today — we're back on Thursday
QUIZ ANSWERS 1) Mice or rats 2) Rossini 3) Tin 4) Butterfly 5) 62
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Quiz of the Day: Rick Astley's breakthrough hit, Picasso vs. Van Gogh and guess the country house priceHave a go at our Quiz of the Day. Good luck!
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A wetsuit room, fingerprint entry and coastal views from all the principal rooms: Is this the ultimate Cornish holiday home?Sitting pretty overlooking Polzeath Beach in North Cornwall, Megizzy’s spectacular views, contemporary design and well thought out features are hard to beat.
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Country Life's top 10 arts stories of 2024From the artist killed on his first day in the war to a masterpiece once sold for £30, these were our most popular arts stories of 2024.
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The grand master 'paintings' that are actually the most exquisite floral photographs you'll ever seeHarald Altmaier’s photographs of floral tableaux, as colossal in effort as in scale, recall 17th-century Dutch still lifes, but the inspiration behind them is far wider, as Carla Passino finds.
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Goodwood Revival 2024: What you missed at the world's most elegant motor race weekendThe Goodwood Revival is one of the highlights of the summer — even when the weather does its best to put a damper on things.
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'If you get 12 great photographs a year, you're doing well': Charlie Waite on the secrets of landscape photographyThe world-renowned landscape photographer Charlie Waite joins the Country Life Podcast.
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Bert Hardy: The photographer who chronicled mid-century Britain, from the Blitz to BlackpoolThe work of photographer Bert Hardy is celebrated in a new show at The Photographers’ Gallery in London.
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In Focus: A photographer's magical celebration of the farmers of YorkshirePhotographer Valerie Mather has chronicled the lives of farmers in her award-winning images, which are now collected together together in a handsome book: Yorkshire Born & Bred: Farming Life.
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In Focus: The incomparable photography of Helmut NewtonPhotographer Helmut Newton enjoyed a glittering career that blurred the lines between fashion, photography and art; as his centenary approaches he's celebrated in a new exhibition.
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In Focus: The scandalous child of Empire, the murderous photographer and the woman who fatally brought them togetherEadweard Muybridge was not only the pioneering photographer of motion, but also a murderer. Jason Goodwin relishes this tale of the dashing rogue and adventurer who became his victim.
