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Eclectic. Hibiscus syriacus, Rose Mallow, and François Gillet's Decoration, Ubbo Emmiussingel 23, Groningen, The Netherlands

My mind wandered eclectically as in the rain I made my way along the Ubbo Emmiussingel to the Groningen Railway Station. I saw this pretty Rose Mallow, Hibiscus syriacus, in a narrow garden.

And just before that mauve-blue, my eye was pulled upwards to look at this handsome paneled decor at Nr 23, a house designed by a highly eclectic architect for one J.T. Vos.

The flower motif is rather more delicate than most in Groningen. I searched around a bit to see who'd made it for this 1885 house.

Turns out our tableau is by the ceramist François Gillet (1822-1889), of the Rue Fénelon, Paris. He'd developed a technique of painting volcanic stone, glazing lava stone ('Lave émaillée'). Here in Groningen it's very prettily done, and a delight to the eye even in the rain.

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Uploaded on July 15, 2017
Taken on July 15, 2017