When choosing names for my daughters, I looked to my favorite paintings and figures from the past, naturally!
Josephine Emma is named after my Grandfather, Joseph, and my husband's Great Grandmother, Emma, both of whom were dearly loved.
These photos of Joe and Emma adorn our fireplace mantel. They are a source of spirited elegance.
I also can't discount the fact that I've always liked the name Josephine from French history and one of the most brilliant paintings, The Coronation of Napoleon by Jacques-Louis David.
And, of course, the infamous character of Louisa May Alcott's Jo March of Little Women...played to perfection by Winona Ryder in the 1994 adaptation.
Then there's Little Miss Cecilia Lee, with the same middle name as myself, and Cecilia has been a favorite of mine from John William Waterhouse's painting Saint Cecilia (luckily my husband agreed to it).
Truth be told, I could live out the rest of my days in that dress she is wearing....sigh.