Lewis Chessmen - Why Queen So Sad ?

[amateur51]

Very interesting that they're dated to 1150-1200 by the shape of the bishops' mitres.

Blimey, french frank, the things you know!

Should the occasion ever arise, may I quote you?

[french frank]

Blimey, french frank, the things you know!

Pshaw! I make no pretence of having known it a few hours ago. It might have been from a link of the French Wikipédia. And if I had known I would have forgotten it by the time it had become useful

[Shortly afterwards] It was here .

[Pabmusic]

Quite superb!

[salymap]

I've rescued this thread from some time ago as people on the present Photographic thread on Platform 3 may not know of it and gamba is too modest to tell them. It a wonderful piece of work IMO.

[Panjandrum]

Without wishing to pour cold water on what is undoubtedly a marvellously realised coup de theatre, is not the King actually seated on a throne (a fact which is cunningly concealed in the photograph)? Therefore, by placing him upright in his normal position, the effect of course would be somewhat different.

[LHC]

I too enjoyed the photograph - a very clever staging.

However, I have never seen the Queen's expression as 'sad'. I was discussing the Queen with my girlfriend when we went to see the Lewis chess pieces a few weeks ago. She concluded that the Queen looked exasperated and speculated that the Queen might be saying "Oh good grief, what have those men been up to now..."

Obviously that interpretation might need a different staging and another photograph...

[gamba]

Without wishing to pour cold water on what is undoubtedly a marvellously realised coup de theatre, is not the King actually seated on a throne (a fact which is cunningly concealed in the photograph)? Therefore, by placing him upright in his normal position, the effect of course would be somewhat different.

Of course & how about the queen & that really AWFUL toothache ?

[Frances_iom]

Have you thought that the King might be Godred King of Man and the Isles who d 1187 after a long reign he was linked to Isla and is buried I think on Iona - the archdiocese of Trondheim to whom the various suffragen bishops in the isles, Iceland + Man owed allegience was set up by Nicholas Breakspear later the only English born Pope in 1153

[french frank]

However, I have never seen the Queen's expression as 'sad'. I was discussing the Queen with my girlfriend when we went to see the Lewis chess pieces a few weeks ago. She concluded that the Queen looked exasperated and speculated that the Queen might be saying "Oh good grief, what have those men been up to now..."

I saw another opinion that she looked 'bored'. I was thinking about the literature of that time and my feeling is that the creative artists' concepts of the various emotions was quite limited: they did joy, sadness, anger, love, hate. And physical gesture is very important, so the position of the hand and downward turn of the mouth are quite telling. Beyond that, of course ...

[Panjandrum]

Of course & how about the queen & that really AWFUL toothache ?

[Stillhomewardbound]

Dear All ...


As many of you will be aware we lost Gamba (Alex Pearce) last year and at that time this thread was revived featuring his marvellously staged death scene with a series of Lewis chess pieces. (You'll find it a number of times at the start of this thread).

Not long after, I was looking for a subject on which to base a mini-feature macro film and I kept thinking of that picture. I then mapped out a short screenplay which depicted the events that had led to the death of the king.

Now that I had a plan (and thank's to French Frank's valuable assistance) I managed to make contact with Gamba's family to ask if they'd give their blessing to me improvising my film on Alex's original concept.

What followed was an agonising wait as my email was inadvertently missed but finally I received the following: "I've consulted with my Mum and two brothers and we would all be very happy for you to use the photo in the way you described. I'm sure my Dad would have been very touched with your approach and plans for your short film."

So, what happened next? Well, I did what I set out to and initially the film was completed back in October / November, however practical reasons have stopped me from sharing the film sooner.

They have now been resolved and I'm pleased now to be able to link you to the end product on Vimeo. The listing there sets out the whole background to the film, the tech stuff and a tribute to Alex Pearce (Gamba) late of this place.

I hope it will be for interest here.

https://vimeo.com/138393443

SHB

[Serial_Apologist]

Dear All ...


As many of you will be aware we lost Gamba (Alex Pearce) last year and at that time this thread was revived featuring his marvellously staged death scene with a series of Lewis chess pieces. (You'll find it a number of times at the start of this thread).

Not long after, I was looking for a subject on which to base a mini-feature macro film and I kept thinking of that picture. I then mapped out a short screenplay which depicted the events that had led to the death of the king.

Now that I had a plan (and thank's to French Frank's valuable assistance) I managed to make contact with Gamba's family to ask if they'd give their blessing to me improvising my film on Alex's original concept.

What followed was an agonising wait as my email was inadvertently missed but finally I received the following: "I've consulted with my Mum and two brothers and we would all be very happy for you to use the photo in the way you described. I'm sure my Dad would have been very touched with your approach and plans for your short film."

So, what happened next? Well, I did what I set out to and initially the film was completed back in October / November, however practical reasons have stopped me from sharing the film sooner.

They have now been resolved and I'm pleased now to be able to link you to the end product on Vimeo. The listing there sets out the whole background to the film, the tech stuff and a tribute to Alex Pearce (Gamba) late of this place.

I hope it will be for interest here.

https://vimeo.com/138393443

SHB

Wonderful stuff! I feel ever so privileged. Thanks ever so much for sharing it with us, SHB. Gamba would have been delighted.

[johncorrigan]

Wonderful stuff! I feel ever so privileged. Thanks ever so much for sharing it with us, SHB. Gamba would have been delighted.

Wholeheartedly agree with S_A, SHB. I thoroughly enjoyed that - terrific images and wonderful soundtrack. Thank you very much for making it and posting it.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Wonderful stuff! I feel ever so privileged. Thanks ever so much for sharing it with us, SHB. Gamba would have been delighted.

Totally agree.

[eighthobstruction]

....very good shb....