(Jade Small) Every year, a hard-working crew makes sure the garden looks perfect, including this year!
by Jade Small, May 2nd, 2020
The Netherlands, a small piece of Europe on the north-western coast, is known for its flat landscape, canals, windmills, tulips, and bicycles. It’s also the birthplace of famous artists like Rembrandt van Meer and Vincent van Gogh.
Tulips are not native to the Netherlands but were imported from the Ottoman Empire (Turkey) in the sixteenth century. The tulip became popular when Carolus Clusius wrote his first book about tulips in 1592, so popular in fact that Clusius’ garden was regularly raided and bulbs stolen. Their popularity eventually reached fever pitch and caused the first known economic bubble, known as ‘’Tulip Mania.’’ Some bulbs reached such extremely high prices that the market collapsed in 1637.
Keukenhof estate, which dates back to the 15th century, was a source of fruit and vegetables for the Teylingen Castle kitchen during the years 1401 through 1436. Part of the estate had a major overhaul after WWII when a group of bulb growers and exporters, in an effort to revitalize the market, were able to use the estate in 1949 to exhibit their spring-flowering bulbs. Keukenhof opened its gates to the public in the spring of 1950 with over 236,000 visitors that first year.
Sadly, this year’s 71st exhibition named ‘A World of Colours’ marks the first time since its opening that the park will not be open to visitors due to the worldwide pandemic.
Born and bred Dutchman, Albert Dros, a landscape photographer who loves the spring flowers of his country and photographs them often to share with the world, had wanted to photograph Keukenhof’s spring garden for a very long time. However, with millions of visitors each spring, conditions were not ideal for how he wanted to capture the gardens on film. This year, with Keukenhof’s spring garden in full bloom with no visitors to enjoy the spectacle, he realized this might be the only opportunity ever to make his dream photoshoot at Keukenhof a reality.
He said: ‘’I’ve been photographing the tulips since forever, mostly in the countryside. I photographed them from all angles you can possibly imagine, but there was one thing that I still wanted to capture one time in my life: Keukenhof without any other people. This seemed impossible, until this year’s April 2020. With the COVID-19 virus keeping everyone at home and tourists away, I knew this was my only chance of making this happen. I contacted Keukenhof explaining what I had in mind and they were so kind to let me photograph the garden for a day.’’
A sunny April had made the flowers bloom early and although photographing in strong sunlight was a challenge, Dros’s photographs definitely show that he overcame that problem and it seems, made the most of having the park to himself, strolling down the pathways with birdsong in his ears, the smell of the flowers in the air and absorbing the amazing visual rainbow of flowers every step of the way.
‘’This photo series is an initiative from myself in collaboration with Keukenhof. We aim to show the beauty of the park through these images. Too bad there’s no smell involved,’’ Dros concluded.
For more of Albert Dros’ work, check out: albertdros.com | Instagram | Facebook | flickr.com
Stillness in the Storm Editor: Why did we post this?
Truth, beauty, and goodness, are regarded in some schools of thought as three supreme values. If one appreciates the fullness of truth, they’ll develop the capacity to see beauty in all things, thereby capable of acting for the good in one’s life. Psychologically, we need to appreciate beauty to ensure a positive life outlook. The mind is designed to reflect reality within, which is then evaluated as good or bad. The animal mind assumes things are “bad” so that it can ensure your survival. The human, spiritualizing mind, has the capacity to see the truth, recognize beauty and appraise all of this as good, thereby creating a node of positivity in your memory. The overall disposition you feel toward life, your mood, and worldview, are informed by the tapestry of evaluations in all life’s situations. Thus, to appreciate beauty improves your world view, it makes you feel better about life in general. It helps you overcome depression, maintain inspiration, and stave off boredom. Combined with the desire to grow and evolve, to become wise, honorable, and an agent for good, the hardships of life become opportunities to bring goodness into the world, though you’re creative deeds. In the act of heeding this supreme calling, you become an agent for good, living a fulfilling life for yourself, while making the world a better place through your increasingly joy-infused acts of compassion, kindness, righteous defense, and truthfully guided ways. The following information reveals some of this power of beauty, discussing the effects of appreciating it or showing you beauty in nature or created by others.
– Justin
Not sure how to make sense of this? Want to learn how to discern like a pro? Read this essential guide to discernment, analysis of claims, and understanding the truth in a world of deception: 4 Key Steps of Discernment – Advanced Truth-Seeking Tools.
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Absolutely Fantastic a feast for the eyes and mind.
Absolutely Fantastic a feast for the eyes and mind.