A Project to do one day - A Green Man  

Posted by MeganH in

I've always wanted to embroider a Green Man. But looking at embroideries of him, I've never seen one that has inspired me to do my own version.

"A Green Man is a sculpture(SP), drawing(SP), or other representation of a face surrounded by or made from leaves(SP). Branches or vines(SP) may sprout from the nose, mouth, nostrils or other parts of the face and these shoots may bear flowers or fruit. Commonly used as a decorative architectural ornament(SP), Green Men are frequently found on carvings in churches(SP) and other buildings (both secular and ecclesiastical)"  (Wikipedia)

Finally I've found a source of inspiration! From the Mira Calligraphae Monumenta, of which I own a copy :

" In 1561-62, Georg Bocskay, imperial secretary to the Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand I, inscribed the Mira calligraphiae monumenta as a testament to his preeminence among scribes. He assembled a vast selection of contemporary and historical scripts, which nearly thirty years later were further embellished by Joris Hoefnagel, Europe's last great manuscript illuminator. This book, now in the collection of the J. Paul Getty Museum, is reproduced here in complete facsimile form,... Topics include Hoefnagel's nature imagery, which encompasses plants, fruits, and small animals, and its relation to the spread of interest in botany and zoology at the end of the sixteenth century. ......" (Amazon)
Never mind Herbals - I regard this as my best 'natural image' source book for embroideries. Here's a couple of images from it :


The Green Man that inspires me :-


 
 Laid gold passing for his hair and whiskers, with some darker gold for the shadows (eg the underside of his hair), some padding around his eyes and mouth, and the actual face done in needlepainting. The beard would be interesting to do - in silk or in shades of gold metal thread, or a mixture?

The actual eyeballs would be really hard to get correct - I'd have to think about that. Maybe consult with Jane of Chilly Hollow Adventures - she's good at things like that.

I don't plan to do the branches with the acorns that extend out the top sides of his head, or the red thingy on top. Just his face would be enough. I think that I would include the horns, to provide balance in the 'weight' distribution in the piece.

More images :-


Green Man Embroideries

More images from the Mira Calligraphae Monumenta

This entry was posted on Friday, August 5, 2011 at 9:24 PM and is filed under . You can follow any responses to this entry through the comments feed .

9 comments

Kori  

Horns would be good on top, I agree. His face would also look good as part of a dragon type eel thing.

August 5, 2011 at 9:37 PM
Rachel  

That's a wonderfully florid and ornate form, and not quite in the usual style of these things. Definitely worth having a go!

August 6, 2011 at 5:17 AM
The Chilly Hollow Needlepoint Adventure  

Thanks for the nice compliment, e-Rose!

It's too early to say for sure because you won't know the size of what you need for eyes until you actually start this project, but my first thought was layered sequins.

A big one laid down first that is partly secured by satin stitches on one side. Then a second smaller one in a contrasting color to make the pupil. It can be attached with white thread in one area for the highlights. Plunk a bead in the center and you have a very interesting eye!

This will be a fun project. I love the fact that the Green Man is frowning. Makes him more real somehow.

August 6, 2011 at 6:16 AM
Montreat Designs  

This is brilliant! Thank you for sharing!

August 6, 2011 at 8:44 AM
Stitching With Kittens  

Me too, me too. I've always thought a green man would make a great subject. . . and I do not think I've ever seen one stitched. But I've always been stumped at the early "what technique do you stitch it in" stage. There's part of me that wants to do the GM's leafy bits as fully wired stumpwork elements. . . but it's never come together in my mind enough to actually stitch anything.

Maybe. . . if you give everyone enough lead time. . . we could do a Green Man SAL. . .??? . . . fun to think about in any case.

August 6, 2011 at 1:50 PM
Elmsley Rose  

Stumpwork leaves! I didn't think of that!

But I want to do it in needlepainting.....

I have a list of projects that are ahead of it by about 2 years...so that gives lead time. A SAL is a great idea! Shall do!

August 6, 2011 at 2:16 PM
Francesca  

I own this book since a long time and have always used it for my porcelain paintings, because is a classic in this area, but never think to use it in embroidery it's incredible how source of pictures are often the same !
Must look at the book with a different perspective now, thank you !

August 7, 2011 at 2:55 AM
Elmsley Rose  

I started to reply to your comment, Francesca, but I thought I'd make it a blog entry....

August 8, 2011 at 1:08 PM
Kimberly Servello  

I don't know if you're like me, but sometimes I find inspiration from text books (as opposed to picture books) as well. If you are...

Have you read Sir Gawain and the Green Knight? The green knight has also been likened to the green man. The book gives a wonderful description of him right down to his embroidered clothing, and the story is very entertaining! Written in the 14th c by someone they call either the Pearl poet or the Gawain poet (no name is known)

August 16, 2011 at 5:42 PM

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