iPhone 12 Pro Max

WOLFE TONE PARK IN DUBLIN

2024 PHOTO BLOG IS MOBILE FRIENDLY

A friend who finds the descriptions included with my photographs to be more than annoying said to me today “the one good thing about photographing a snowman such as this is that there is not much that you can write about it”.

Humble Origins

Medieval Times: While the exact origin of the snowman is unknown, some of the earliest depictions appear in medieval times. They were often found in illuminated manuscripts and marginalia, suggesting they weren’t just a source of winter fun but held some symbolic meaning.
Themes of Hardship: During the 1511 “Miracle of the Snows” winter in Brussels, a time of famine and unrest, the city held a snowman festival. It’s believed the snowmen built then, some with satirical or even explicit forms, were a way to express the hardship and frustration of the population.

The Snowman as Cultural Symbol

A Blank Canvas: The snowman is a wonderfully simple form – three spheres of snow. This simplicity makes it incredibly adaptable, carrying different meanings across time and cultures.
Meanings and Motifs: Snowmen have been seen as figures of fun, symbols of the ephemeral nature of life, warnings against winter’s harshness, and even playful challenges to authority.
Winter Wonder: The snowman is now a ubiquitous symbol of winter, bringing joy, playfulness, and a reminder of childhood to our cultural landscape.

Snowmen in Art

Art History Inspirations: The snowman has been reinterpreted in countless ways by artists throughout history, from classical sculpture to modern art. You can find snowmen inspired by artists like Picasso, Matisse, and Magritte.

High Art: Artists such as Gary Hume have even cast snowmen sculptures in bronze, giving them permanence and turning a childhood tradition into a gallery mainstay.
Popular Culture: From beloved characters like Frosty the Snowman and Olaf to postcards and holiday decorations, the snowman has a firm place in our popular imagination.

The History of Snowmen: A Deeper Dive

If you’re interested in a more in-depth look at the snowman’s history, I recommend the following:

“The Illustrated History of the Snowman” by Bob Eckstein: This book provides a beautifully illustrated exploration of the snowman’s place in our culture and history.
The Wikipedia Article on Snowmen: (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snowman) offers a good overview of the snowman’s origins and cultural significance.
“The Fascinating History of the Snowman” in Reader’s Digest: (https://www.rd.com/article/history-of-the-snowman/) This article delves into the surprising connections between snowmen and major historical moments.

IRISH NAVY

As far as I can remember this is my first time to photograph this ship.

LÉ William Butler Yeats (P63) is a Samuel Beckett-class offshore patrol vessel of the Irish Naval Service. Named after poet W. B. Yeats, the ship is the third in a series of vessels designed by Vard Marine and built by Babcock Marine Appledore. The ship was floated out of the shipyard in March 2016, started trials in July 2016, and arrived at Haulbowline naval base in late July 2016. The ship was formally commissioned in a ceremony in Galway on 17 October 2016. During the ceremony it was officially named by a granddaughter of the poet, Caitriona Yeats.

L.É. WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS was commissioned into the naval fleet in October 2016. Since then she has been constantly engaged in Maritime Security and Defence patrolling of the Irish coast. She has also deployed to the Defence Forces mission in the Mediterranean from July to October 2017, rescuing 704 persons and recovering the bodies of 3 deceased.

A WELL DRESSED BUT LONELY SNOWMAN

LÉ WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS P63