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Time management isn’t just a modern day problem, it would seem. In 1843,the founder of the London Victoria and Albert museum, Sir Henry Cole, was a little pressed for time. It was Christmas and being a popular person with many friends and also a sincere concern for the poor, Sir Henry felt a need to pass on his season greetings and at the same time alert all to the struggles of those less fortunate than himself. Co-incidentally Charles Dickens’ famous story, “A Christmas Carol” was also published in the same year, 1843. Handwriting was a slow and arduous process so he commissioned John Calcott Horsley to paint a card depicting contrasting families celebrating Christmas in their very different ways.
Once copies were printed he could then simply fill in the name of the recipient. This would be a much more time efficient process he thought and get the message out to more people than would normally be possible. |
A noble gesture indeed but ironically the card drew some criticism because a child in the normal happy family was shown sipping a glass of wine. This was thought to be “fostering the moral corruption of children.” So much for good intention. The Christmas card idea took off and is now big business. In fact it’s now possible to buy a greeting card for just about anything vaguely worth celebrating. You name it and there’ll be a card for it. That’s why I like receiving a personalized card. One sketched, painted or crafted by the sender. It shows that they care enough to take a little time. And sometimes the artwork is pretty good too. So why not give it a go. Get out the pencils, watercolours or craft kit and see what you can come up with. You’ll probably surprise yourself and you’ll certainly surprise the recipient. Only three days to go so you’d better get cracking! Have a Merry Christmas everyone and see you back at ART ZONE in 2007. Past ART ZONES can be seen on www.pauldion.com “Articles and News”. |
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