The Sugar Palace - River Road Blues
by Lianne Schneider
Title
The Sugar Palace - River Road Blues
Artist
Lianne Schneider
Medium
Digital Art - Digital Painting/photographic Art
Description
Another in the Plantatation/Estate series with the treatment inspired by this incredible music - Mississippi Delta Blues - Muddy Waters - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0_eRVroLqs&feature=related
Houmas House Plantation and Gardens has reclaimed its position as Crown Jewel of Louisiana's River Road. Through the vision and determination of Kevin Kelly, who fulfilled a lifelong dream by acquiring the property in the Spring of 2003, the mansion today reflects the best parts of each period in its rich history alongside the big bend in the Mississippi River.
The first owners of the plantation were the indigenous Houmas Indians, who were given a land grant to occupy the fertile plain between the Mississippi and Lake Maurepas to the north. The Houmas sold the land to Maurice Conway and Alexander Latil in the mid 1700's. The original French Provincial house that Latil erected on the property in is situated directly behind the Mansion, adjoined by a carriageway to the grand home described during its antebellum heyday as "The Sugar Palace." The original home was later used as living quarters for the staff that served the great house. By the time of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, the plantation was established and producing sugar.
In 1810, Revolutionary War hero Gen. Wade Hampton of Virginia purchased the property and shortly thereafter began construction on the Mansion. However, it was not until 1825 when Hampton's daughter, Caroline, and her husband, Col. John Preston, took over the property that the grand house truly began to take shape. Construction on the Mansion was completed in 1828. At the same time, Houmas House began to build its sugar production and continued to increase its land holdings, which ultimately grew to 300,000 acres.
Irishman John Burnside bought the plantation in 1857 for $1 million. A businessman and a character, Burnside increased production of sugar until Houmas House was the largest producer in the country, actively working the crop on 98,000 acres. During the Civil War, Burnside saved the Mansion from destruction at the hands of advancing Union forces by declaring immunity as a subject of the British Crown. In addition to building a railway to carry his products to market -"The Sugar Cane Train (1862)" - Burnside, a bachelor, is also said to have offered payment to any parents in the parish who would name their sons "John." Houmas House flourished under Burnside's ownership, but it was under a successor, Col. William Porcher Miles that the plantation grew to its apex in the late 1800's when it was producing a monumental 20 million pounds of sugar each year.
In 1927, the Mississippi came out of its banks in the epic "great flood." While Houmas House was spared, the surrounding areas were inundated. The ensuing economic havoc was but a prelude to the devastation of the Great Depression just two years later. Houmas House Plantation withered away. The Mansion closed and fell into disrepair, a condition in which it remained until 1940 when Dr. George B. Crozat purchased it.
Crozat bought Houmas House to be a summer home away from his native New Orleans. He renovated the property with the intent to give it a more "Federal" look than the stately Greek Revival style in which it was conceived. The structure was painted white inside and out. Crown moldings and ceiling medallions were removed and both interior and exterior forms and finishes were simplified.
Derivative work/digital painting from a small public domain image copyright - MCN :: C8Y1A-6XG4J-S2N88
Uploaded
May 30th, 2012
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Comments (57)
Deb Halloran
Lianne, This is absolutely gorgeous. The detail and textures are truly amazing..so beautiful. Nicely done. v/f
Anne-Elizabeth Whiteway
Lianne, I am back again to admire your work and words. Thank you for your comments about the "Tropical..." painting and others. The tropical painting is one that I did not do. It is one of the 3 large paintings in the Tropical Smoothee Cafe. I asked permisssion to take the photo.) Good wishes!
Lois Bryan
You must have a magic wand tucked away somewhere ... this is so very lovely!!!!!! Beautiful editing, as always!!!! f/v
Lianne Schneider replied:
Aww you sweet thing - thank you so much hon. Sorry I've been away soooo long. xox
Kay Novy
Those old plantations are beautiful and the texture added on this is perfect! Love the blues. V.F.T.
Lianne Schneider replied:
Thank you so much Kay - I agree. They are beautiful and we are so lucky they've been maintained or restored. I love the blues too.
Anne-Elizabeth Whiteway
Lianne, I meant to write about this sooner. This is another of your outstanding, fascinating, well composed and lovely works of art on FAA. Thanks for your kind comnents on my images Will be off the computer for a few days because we are going on a trip. You would think EVERYONE would have access to the Internet but where we will be visiting they do not... Guess I can live without it for a few days... Smiles, Anne F/V
Lianne Schneider replied:
Ah my dear Anne - I will certainly miss you but I hope you have a good time. And thank you so much for your always beautiful and supportive comments Anne. They mean so much to me. xox
Heidi Smith
Beautiful, beautiful work, Lianne. Your attention to detail is exceptional. Another of my favorites of yours. f/v
Lianne Schneider replied:
That's just such a fabulous thing to say Heidi - I'm really touched by that thoughtful comment!! Thank you.
Mona Edulescu
What a beautiful image you've created here, Lianne! Love those blue nuances that you've masterfully combined and of course the great idea of the piano sheet layer... :) F&V, Mona
Lianne Schneider replied:
What a very lovely thing to say Mona! Perhaps listening to the blues helped!! I'm just delighted that you liked it - that means a lot to me.
Joan Minchak
Wow, Lianne, what a wonderful blend of music and scenery! Very creative! I love it! Fave!
Lianne Schneider replied:
What a lovely thing to say Joan - thank you so much. Glad you enjoyed the music too!
Angela Davies
What a gorgeous digital painting and wonderful subject! I could see this on the cover of a great mystery book, or ghost story! Very intriguing! V/F
Lianne Schneider replied:
What a delightful thing to say Angela!! Wouldn't that be fun?? Actually I have one piece in this architectural series that would really work for a ghost story!! Thank you so much!!
Lianne Schneider replied:
Oh and I forgot to say - this is where the scary movie "Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte" was filmed!!
Mary Timman
Beautiful southern charm. Dramatic tones and love the music.
Lianne Schneider replied:
Thanks so much Mary - I always loved those lovely old homes! And this one just has so much history. So glad you liked it!
Chrisann Ellis
Lianne, Oh I can hear the Soul Music and the love concept in this.. Your creativity and style is full of so much talent... wow! fav/vote:)
Lianne Schneider replied:
Oh that just makes me very happy Chrisann - and you are always so very supportive and generous. Thank you.
Dick Wood
Wonderful image and concept.
Lianne Schneider replied:
How very gracious of you Dick - thank you so much. That means a lot to me.
Judith Desrosiers
such a magical colour :) fave
Lianne Schneider replied:
Thank you so much Judith - my apologies for taking so long to tell you that!
Cindy Lee Longhini
Wow, Lianne, this one is wonderful; even though it is done in cool colors, I get the warmest feeling when looking at it. There's just something nostalgic, homey and warm about this piece. Incredible work, Lianne!
Lianne Schneider replied:
My apologies Cindy Lee - I am so thrilled by your very generous and lovely comment, I wish I'd gotten to it sooner!