Dr Vicky Donnellan
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vickydonnellan.bsky.social
Dr Vicky Donnellan
@vickydonnellan.bsky.social
4.7K followers 510 following 180 posts
Curator for the reception of the ancient Mediterranean at the British Museum - PhD in classical archaeology and museum studies - Opinions my own - she/her
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vickydonnellan.bsky.social
Couple of days leave this week while my daughter's off for half term. Today was a visit to Fashion and Textile Museum to see the "Costume Couture: Sixty Years of Cosprop" exhibition. Lots of familiar outfits for me to get excited about and good inspiration for daughter's GCSE textiles
Two mannequins with costumes from a Room with a View: white dress on left (worn by Helena Bonham Carter) and cream suit on right (worn by Maggie Smith) Mannequins with costumes for Mr Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet from the BBC Pride and Prejudice Mannequins with costumes worn by several key characters from Downton Abbey, including Hugh Bonneville and Maggie Smith View over main ground floor room of the exhibition from above, crowded with mannequins on raised platforms and lots of visitors
October 30, 2025 at 5:13 PM
vickydonnellan.bsky.social
I've missed many days of #classicstober but I couldn't miss day 21 and Cerberus. Very rough and ready sketch, but I always think this bronze looks like such a good obedient little hellhound
Bad pencil sketch of small bronze figure of three-headed dog, sitting nicely with middle head looking sort-of perky and ready for action.
October 21, 2025 at 9:26 PM
vickydonnellan.bsky.social
Day 6 of #classicstober and the theme is the Fates (moirai). Here's my quick rendition of the fabulous Fates from Disney's Hercules (a bit of a blend with the Graiai of day 3) #classicstober25 @classicstober.bsky.social
Pencil crayon and black fibre tip drawing of the Fates as featured in Disney film Hercules. Three caricatured old women draped in black. One sort of looks like a bird with a long beak, another sort of like a pig, maybe? The third has a long pointy chin and is holding an eyeball. They all have black eye sockets as they share that single eye. Lovely.
October 6, 2025 at 9:08 PM
vickydonnellan.bsky.social
Day 5 of #classicstober and another drawing of a British Museum object for the theme of Hermes Psychopompos: part of a column from Ephesus. Full object details below
##classicstober25 @classicstober.bsky.social
Pencil drawing of relief carving of Hermes, nude except for a cloak draped around his left arm, staff held in his right hand. Proportions are a bit off in the drawing, and best not to look too closely at the feet or hand
October 5, 2025 at 8:34 PM
vickydonnellan.bsky.social
Another Sunday walk in the Kent countryside today. This week I persuaded my daughter to join me, by bribing her with a tea shop visit at the end
View across a grassy field, line of autumnal trees at the end, low hill beyond. A path at far right. Photo of table with teapot and mismatching vintage teacups, plate with a slice of Victoria sponge and two forks. One of the forks is held by my daughter, mostly out of shot
October 5, 2025 at 8:00 PM
vickydonnellan.bsky.social
Day 4 of #classicstober and no chance to make art today so just sharing an object, or rather a lot of tiny objects! Beads found in a tomb in Vulci, which may have decorated a shroud (today's theme) #classicstober25 @classicstober.bsky.social
Circular tray divided into four, each section containing many tiny beads shaped like rings, sorted by colour: muted yellow, blue, red and green
October 4, 2025 at 7:23 PM
vickydonnellan.bsky.social
Day 3 of #classicstober and I have branched out into photo art. Inspired by the Graiai in Clash of the Titans, recreated using my face and an old paperweight of my husband's. Photo taken by my bewildered 11 year old son @classicstober.bsky.social #classicstober25
Close up photo of middle-aged woman's face (me). Left eye closed, large spherical glass paperweight held up in front of right eye, vaguely looking like an enlarged eyeball.
October 3, 2025 at 4:30 PM
vickydonnellan.bsky.social
Day 2 of #classicstober #classicstober25 and the theme is Thanatos: death. Here he is on a lekythos, gently carrying a warrior from the battlefield. Object link in the reply.
@classicstober.bsky.social
Pencil and coloured pencil drawing of figure of Thanatos from a white-ground lekythos. He has rather lovely swan-like wings, and great shaggy hair and beard
October 2, 2025 at 8:02 PM
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Day 1 #classicstober #classicstober25 Hypnos. Very quick sketch before bed. Proportions all wrong but am resolved to post whatever I manage to achieve each day. Some days that will be nothing! @classicstober.bsky.social
Terrible photo in bad light of sketchbook with scrappy pencil sketch of bronze head of Hypnos with wing sprouting to left side
October 1, 2025 at 9:28 PM
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Lovely sunny afternoon yesterday for a walk across the big field. It's been a while since I did this walk. Trying to get back into routine of a countryside walk every weekend as it does me a lot of good
View of field in sunshine. Path shaded by hedgerow along left side. Branch of old man's beard hanging in focus in foreground. Trees out of focus in background Spiky green horse-chestnut (I think? I am no great plant specialist) in close up.
September 28, 2025 at 9:03 AM
vickydonnellan.bsky.social
A few photos from damp Newcastle this morning as I head home after a great
Classical Collections Network event yesterday. There will be a write up coming soon on our website for those who couldn't make it
View up river Tyne on a grey rainy morning. A number of bridges cross the river but the railway bridge is most prominent Looking up under the Tyne Bridge from the riverbank View of Sage Gateshead building, weird shiny armadillo structure, from across the river, Tyne Bridge cuts across overhead Newcastle Literary and Philosophical Society building, grey stone, with a banner over door marking 200 year anniversary
September 20, 2025 at 9:14 AM
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I wasn't planning to forage and make jam this year as I still have some left from previous years. But I just can't walk past bushes with abundant fruit dropping off them and rotting on the ground. So I guess I am making jam now
Colander full of fruit. Damsons or bullace. Not sure which!
September 14, 2025 at 12:07 PM
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Nice walk this afternoon. Mostly looking pretty autumnal now except for the enterprising local farm flogging entry to their Insta-ready field of glorious sunflowers, channelling summer in France 🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻
Close up of blackberries at various stages of ripeness Close up of very bright red rosehips Close up of red hawthorn berries Field of sunflowers all obligingly turned towards the camera
September 7, 2025 at 7:22 PM
vickydonnellan.bsky.social
Finally, a flying visit to the Musee Jacquemart Andre, much more traditional but no less enjoyable for that
Exterior of the museum, grand house with columned portico Stairwell of the house, classical sculptures and columns, mirrors, gilding, elaborate balustrades and flooring plus potted palms all combining to grand effect
August 16, 2025 at 3:03 PM
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Also took in quite recently redone galleries at Bibliotheque Nationale de France - again really impressed and loved the contemporary art juxtapositions
Overview of main antiquities gallery, showcases in a light space flanked by columns, painting by Barthélémy Toguo hung like a banner on left hand wall Busy gallery with metalwork, another work by Barthélémy Toguo hung on back wall Grid-like case of Greek vases, with two modern works by Barthélémy Toguo interspersed and another painting behind Historic dining room with contemporary works interposed; two large ceramic vases and a huge book open in the table
August 16, 2025 at 2:58 PM
vickydonnellan.bsky.social
Further afield, also visited/revisited some great museums/galleries in Paris. The Louvre Couture exhibition is fun and some of the installations really visually striking
Entrance to the galleries housing Louvre Couture, big mirrored title and black and white dress on a mannequin Long metallic gold dress with cross motifs juxtaposed with medieval objects with similar crosses Tapestry-inspired outfit on mannequin, with Bambi motifs and frankly outlandish headdress evoking deer antlers. Stands in front of historic tapestry Gallery with displays of armour and armour-inspired clothing displayed in case at rear plus also on poles high up above the display cases. It's hard to describe but it looks good
August 16, 2025 at 2:44 PM
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Next the newly renovated Jewry Wall Museum in Leicester, which I was also very impressed by. Loved the immersive digital bit, also beautifully displayed mosaics and excellent interpretation. Bravo! My photos don't do it justice so go and visit if you can.
View over Roman remains Mosaic fragments displayed vertically along a wall Mosaic displayed flat with video titled Flavours of Leicester since AD45 behind
August 16, 2025 at 2:34 PM
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I have been so busy recently I've failed to post about a load of brilliant museums I've visited over the last few weeks. Catching up time! First, the Museum of Making in Derby.
Exterior of Museum of Making, converted brick mill building, with huge mural of two birds on one wall Gallery view with contemporary art by Sally Matthews, including large sculpture of an aurochs Detail of historic wooden cabinet of thread and other textiles supplies Detail of metal notice saying NOTICE ALL BOYS AND I EXPERIENCED MEN MUST NOT GRIND ON THE REST SIDE OF THIS STONE. One feels there must be a story behind this notice!
August 16, 2025 at 2:23 PM
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Stratus clouds over silhouetted modern house rooftops, sun just peeking through
August 9, 2025 at 7:45 AM
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This time yesterday I was watching Totoro with my son. It really was as magical as I had heard. A wonderful experience, do go if you get the chance
Me (middle aged white woman with greying blondish hair and glasses) and son (blonde hair just seen but face blocked out) in front of theatre with My Neighbour Totoro advertising across building
July 23, 2025 at 7:05 PM
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Herne Bay looking good in the sunshine yesterday 🌞
Sunshine reflecting on sea, looking back to Herne Bay from the Pier. Kayak on water, seagull flying over Helter skelter on the pier at Herne Bay Brightly painted terrace of Georgian-looking houses: lilac, pink, white, orange, green
July 13, 2025 at 9:52 PM
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Some Kent countryside from yesterday as a counterpoint to all the grimness I have just been reading
Field of Lavender in full purple bloom at Castle Farm near Eynsford Cow parsley and other wildflowers in foreground, wheat field behind, green hills in background
July 7, 2025 at 6:53 PM
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The sprawling lavender on our patio is bee heaven today #TinyJoys
Lavender growing almost sideways over a patio to get more sun. Hard to see in the photo but there are loads of bees on it, trust me Close up of a bee on lavender flowers. A few yellow flowers (weeds) in and amongst.
July 4, 2025 at 2:20 PM
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Today has, obviously, been too hot. But Covent Garden was looking particularly beautiful this morning. Hats off to whoever made this display
Profusion of flowers in one of the Covent Garden market halls. Flowers in wooden crates. Flowers in pots. Flowers on carts with bright blue wheels. Flowers in boxes. Just a LOT of beautiful flowers framed by the arched metal roof.
June 30, 2025 at 9:35 PM
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Fancied coffee and walnut cake. Made coffee and walnut cake. Ate a slice #TinyJoys
Coffee and walnut cake from above, with a slice missing, sitting on the lid from a tin on a white tabletop The same cake from the side, kitchen clutter behind Slice of cake on blue and white china plate with cake fork
June 22, 2025 at 3:08 PM