The Middle Ages (51) : Spectacle wearer
This series is an attempt to illustrate how life was going on in the Middle Ages.
Spectacles were invented in the Middle Ages and I did some research for you.
It is generally thought that in 1284 the Italian friar Alessandro della Spina put 2 small magnifying glasses together in a wooden frame and so designed the first portable glasses.
This system, with only nose fixation (see picture), was used until the end of the 16th century.
Another name that is associated with the invention of the glasses, is Salvarino d'Armati who was also an Italian.
He died in 1317 in Florence and on his grave is mentioned "here rests the inventor of eyeglasses".
Photographed at medieval festival of castle Sterckshof (Deurne, Belgium)
Lene Thomsen 28/01/2014 18:02
niceIrina Born 21/01/2014 13:52
Eine tolle Serie hast du hier gemacht!lg irina
Nordeifeler 20/01/2014 23:26
Fast wieder modern,die Brille aus dem Mittelalter...Grüße Kai..
Jochen Braband 19/01/2014 20:51
Klasse Foto mit einer tollen Info!Alles Gute, Jochen
Claudio Oldrini 19/01/2014 13:56
Very nice portrait!Claudio
Lawson McCulloch 18/01/2014 10:52
This shot makes me smile.best wishes,
Lawson
Josef Kainz 17/01/2014 8:04
Ein tolles BildGruß Josef
Angelika El. 16/01/2014 23:12
Er muss wohl sehr wohlhabend gewesen sein, wenn er sich diese Augengläser leistern konnte.....Vorgänger der Brillen waren Lesesteine - meist aus Bergkristallen, Quartzen oder auch grünen Halbedelsteinen, sog. Berylle woraus sich der Name Brille entwickelte...
Wieder eine ganz feine Aufnahme aus Deiner so feinen Bilderreihe und wie immer wunderbar die Infos!!!
LG! a.
Adele D. Oliver 16/01/2014 21:28
eye-glasses, one of those things one doesn't think about too often, especially not how they "got started". so interesting your explanation, and I marvel at details like this one at the festival, making those old times come to life .... wonder what all his keys were for :-)))greetings, Adele
Vera Shulga 16/01/2014 20:54
wonderful portrait of man in ancient glasses!greetings, vera
rolvin 16/01/2014 20:44
At least it seems clear that an Italian glasses invented. Anyway, if I would have placed no glasses, I could not see your great photo :-) Very good capture in best quality. Bw RolandVitória Castelo Santos 16/01/2014 20:16
Amazing this one too..............!Gerlinde Gottschalk 16/01/2014 17:33
Ein tolles Portrait und eine feine Info dazu.Die ganze Serie ist sehr schön, klasse.
LG.Gerlinde
Bernhard Kuhlmann 16/01/2014 16:50
Ein interessanter Typ !Ob sie damals wirklich alle so Cool ausgesehen haben ?
Gruß Bernd
Susanne47 16/01/2014 16:32
toll die damalige Brillenmode, doch wahrscheinlich etwas schwer......:-)Grüessli Susanne