If this isn’t the most amazing timepiece ever I don’t know what is!
This awesome clock was installed in 1540 on the gatehouse to the inner court at Hampton Court Palace. It’s a pre-Copernican and pre-Galilean astronomical clock and … it still functions. The astronomical clock is 15 feet (4.6 m) in diameter with three separate copper dials revolving at different speeds displaying the:
Hour
Month
Day of the month
Position of the sun in the ecliptic
Twelve signs of the zodiac
Number of days elapsed since the beginning of the year
Phases of the moon
Age of the moon in days
Hour when the moon crosses the meridian? and – high water at London Bridge!
The latter information (thanks Wikipedia for this great info) was important to those visiting the Thames-side palace from London, as the preferred method of transport at the time was by barge, and at low water London Bridge created dangerous rapids.
When I took the photographs I remember being quite awed by just being in the Palace on such a lovely day. It wasn’t until much later when I was back in Toronto that I looked again at the them – and I knew I would have to create something great from them. As with most of my artistry however, sometimes I have to wait until I have just the right supplies to create the backgrounds – as well as allowing the artistry to evoke the memories and feelings and story. Creation isn’t something that can be forced, it either flows or it doesn’t. Many months later when I did sit down to create this piece it flowed. For times when it doesn’t it’s okay, I simply work on something else and come back to it later.
Seasonal Greeting Cards are here!
Great news! In addition to canvas prints (which you can easily purchase from NickyJamesonArt) you can also now create greeting cards via my Textured art gallery using any of the artworks in the gallery! Simply click on an image you like and follow the prompts! You can customize to your hearts delight, with wording and even shape, have a go.
