Heavy rain fell from decidedly Stygian skies throughout the morning during which I finished reading the fourth chapter, entitled ‘ ‘Give me combat!’ France: 1894-9′, of Barbara W. Tuchman’s The Proud Tower.
I had previously been vaguely aware of the Dreyfus Affair with dominated the decade, but never really understood it until reading Tuchman’s analysis of the schism that split France. Dreyfus was a French army captain who happened to be Jewish and was unjustly accused of selling secrets to Germany. There is now no doubt that Captain Dreyfus was framed by the French military authorities who used forged documents to condemn him to years of imprisonment. It became a national conflict between the Dreyfusards, convinced of his innocence, and those who believed the military should be supported at all costs. Violent anti-Semitism developed and was pitted against those, largely artists and intellectuals, who fought for justice.
I will refrain from offering more details save to say that the ultimate pardon did not come with a finding of innocence. Ms Tuchman describes the physical and emotional violence of the warring parties, which also involved a failed assassination. France, too, had the seething undercurrent which seemed endemic to the rest of Europe.
My mid afternoon today the rain had ceased and a brief appearance of sun had cast a little light over the land.
While I readied myself for a trip into the forest Jackie nipped out into the garden and photographed
raindrops on weeping birch and clematis cirrhosa Freckles.
The chameleon skies were the canvas on which my camera painted
varying tones of indigo and smoky ochres with pink tinges.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s mixed meats and vegetable stoup followed by pepperoni pizza and fresh salad, with which she drank Hoegaarden and I drank The Second Fleet Cabernet, Merlot, and Petit Verdot Coonawarra 2019.
Derrick, these are very beautiful, moody photos, I love the skies! Well done, sir. 😎🇬🇧
Thank you smooch, John. Much appreciated
I love the first three photos. They are so touching.
Thank you very much, Rachel
I was enjoying all the picture and then I spotted the ones using the Zeke or Sunshine filter. They look striking, Derrick.
Thank you very much, GP. I used no filters. Those pictures were simply aiming in a different direction – no editing required either.
Even better!!
🙂
The Dreyfus case opened the gates to a flood of rabid antisemitism that drowned Europe in the first half of the twentieth century. The second famous one was the Bailis affair in Kiev, when a Jewish factory manager was accused of ritual murder of a Ukrainian boy. By the time of his arrest, the true perpetrators of the crime have been identified, yet the authorities let them go and arrested Menachem Bailis instead. That was the last known blood libel case. Both of these cases paved the way to the Holocaust.
I am sorry about being too verbose and too emotional to comment on your exceptional photos of the Stygian sky, Derrick, but Styx leads to Hades.
Thank you so much for all this, Dolly. An unwitting link with a greater darkness than I intended for which I am sorry.
No need to apologize, Derrick. We all have our vulnerable points, or red buttons, as they are called by clinicians. This is one of mine, for obvious reasons.
I still regret it Dolly. The last thing I would wish to do is push your red button.. Thank you again.
Now I have to apologize for allowing myself to express my feelings in a public forum instead of simply enjoying your delightful posts as I usually do. I appreciate your sensitivity, Derrick, but you have nothing to regret; the fault is mine.
There is no fault, my very good friend. You are well entitled to express your feelings, as you do your pleasanter ones in an equally insightful manner. X
I thank you for your kindness, Derrick, and I appreciate the compliment.
🙂
Definitely moody. They look stunning. Today our weather was just skate grey and damp. More rusty than moody.
Thanks very much, Gary
Those clouds make the day dark, but certainly lead to stunning photos, Derrick! The Dreyfus affair as noted above opened floodgates–quite a stain on French history, I think.
I read a novel about it a few years ago–by Robert Harris, I think?
Those skyscapes are just splendid! You’ve outdone yourself with this group.
All I can say Derrick is that my morning courtyard is basking in summer sunshine…
Quite the ominous sky, Derrick. Gorgeous captures!
Oh my, just look at those foreboding skies.
Snow is on it’s way, just hoping we are not high enough to catch it!
Fine skyscapes.
The Dreyfus affair showed that people are ready to believe something in the face of evidence if it chimes in with their world view. Nothing much has changed as far as that goes. .
Quite so, Tootlepedal. Thanks a lot.
I am enjoying reading your thoughts on “Tuchman’s The Proud Tower”. I will have to read that book.
Such dramatic grey skies! Nature is beautiful no matter what the weather.
Thank you very much, Lavinia. Beauty is always there – sometimes it needs searching out 🙂
Your photos remind me how expressive the sky can be with infinite combinations of colors and designs. Thank you for continuing share nature’s beauty with us.
And thank you for reading and responding, JoAnna
What a beautiful sky! Gorgeous photos!
Thank you very much, Robina
The pictures of the sky are magnificent! Don’t know much about the Dreyfus Affair except that it was shameful and an innocent man was imprisoned.
Indeed it was shameful, Laurie, and demonstrated the breadth of antisemitism. Thanks very much.
Heartbreaking.
Chameleon sky – such an apt way of describing the ever-changing colour patterns. Your day looks damp and cold, yet you have made the most of it.
Thank you very much, Anne
I love a pure blue sky, but for interest and for photography, a cloudy day is best. Chameleon sky, Stygian sky … You’re so erudite, Derrick.
Thank you very much, Nicki
Love Jackie’s raindrop photos! The first one looks like a jeweled drapery! Gorgeous!
Your sky and tree photos are so breathtakingly beautiful! You and your camera painted some masterpieces! Oh, my! Those clouds are talking!
I don’t know what it is…but I’ve always enjoyed a cloudy sky…cotton-y cheer-y clouds or denim-y moody clouds.
We fixed salad and pizza for supper, too! Pizza was topped with onions, olives, tomatoes, and cheeses. 🙂
(((HUGS))) 🙂
Thanks very much from us both, Carolyn. Jackie always adds cheese to her half of the pizza, and leaves mine as is. X
Dramatic skies!
Thanks a lot, Sheree
“sky-and landscape” is lovely. It might even look good in just b/w.
Yes – probably. Thanks a lot, John
Love the dramatic skys and Tureresque waves. I once saw a documentary about Dryfus. That was a sad affair with long lasting repeercussions.
It certainly was, Sherry. Thanks very much
I remember the Dreyfuss affair from my University studies. Thanks for the memory nudge.
Thanks a lot, Andrew
The skies were intresting to say the least. I love storm pictures.
Thank you very much, Mrs W
Your welcome.
The sky has been mightily describes and captured. The denuded, silhouetted, weirdly limbed trees in demi-light make for pretty photographs under the sky and in reflections.
Thank you so much, Uma
Gorgeous shots of your Stygian skies, Derrick. They are certainly very gloomy and dark, but beautiful nevertheless. Your supper sounds so delicious. 😃
Thank you so much, Sylvia
Beautiful wintry images.
Thanks a lot, Lindsey