Apr 2
Mycenae outer wall viewed from below (Photo: Daydream Tourist)
Don’t go to Mycenae if you want classical Greek architecture. It does not have elegant ionic columns or passionate friezes of Gods battling. It is not sophisticated artistically but still worth the trip. You visit Mycenae because it is a fortress so impressive and old that is was selected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (And #6 in my series.)
Mar 26
Seminarians in Siena (Photo: Daydream Tourist)
This is a picture from my 2005 trip to Italy. In Siena, we came across two seminarians in black cassocks trying to read a map. They were so perfectly framed by the medieval street. I keep coming back to this image as one of my favorite from the trip. Besides taking the photo quickly while their backs were turned, my friends and I chatted with these guys and gave them directions. Turns out they were actually from Minnesota. They and some other classmates were exploring Tuscany before heading to Rome for theological studies.
Mar 17
Google has the best logo today to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day 2012. It’s based on the Book of Kells which you can see in Dublin at Trinity College Library. The four gospel volume was created by Irish monks around 800 AD. It is richly decorated and draws from traditional Hibernian Gothic design elements. The text and its excellent exhibit at Trinity College is definitely one of the top things to see in Dublin!
Book of Kells, Folio 291v contains a portrait of John the Evangelist (Wikipedia)
Book of Kells, Folio 7v contains an image of the Virgin and Child. This is the oldest extant image of the Virgin Mary in a Western manuscript (Wikipedia)
Book of Kells, Folio 34r contains the Chi Rho monogram. "Chi" and "Rho" are the first two letters of the word Christ in Greek.
Mar 11
Beleza (Beauty) written in a San Paulo favela alley (Photo: EPA/SEBASTIAO MOREIRA)
SAO PAULO.- The Portuguese word Beleza (Beauty) written in large white letters on blue walls in an alley in the Brasilandia neighborhood of Sao Paulo, Brazil, 06 March 2012. The graffiti and painted walls are part of an art project by five Spanish artists, entitled Luz nas Vielas (lit. Light in the alleys), which was realized with the inhabitants of Brasilandia, one of the favelas in Sao Paulo. Photo: Sebastiao Moreira/EPA.
Image and caption, Copyright © artdaily.org
Mar 9
The other day I wrote about the Eastern Orthodox iconography of John the Baptist. Let me take a step back now and spend a little more time on the amazing institution where I saw those pieces: The Museum of Russian Icons. Located in Clinton, MA, about an hour drive from Boston, the modern facility displays hundreds of excellent Russian icons. It was such a pleasant surprise to find this small museum; it is definitely one of my favorite New England hidden gems.
The Museum houses the personal collection of Gordon B. Lankton. An executive at a plastic company, he bought his first icon at a flea market in Russia while on a business trip. Mr. Lankton became fascinated by the style and imagery and returned from his subsequent business trips with more icons. (Now new pieces are acquired through well-respected international auction house.) With well over 100 icons, Mr. Lankton decided the collection would be best displayed at a museum, but a suitable organization could not be found in New York City or Boston. He then decided to keep the icons in Clinton and so the current Museum was opened in 2006 in a renovated carpet factory. The museum space is elegant and an excellent platform for enjoying the art. The Museum now has over 500 icons and objects in its collection and has a friendly and informed staff. With 12,000-17,000 visitors annually, you’re also likely to enjoy the works with some peace and quiet.
Images of the collection were taken by me, except the last one of the museum interior.
"Vladimir Mother of God" circa 1680 (Museum of Russian Icons)
Lower central detail of "Vladimir Mother of God" showing candle damage (Museum of Russian Icons)
"Saint Nicholas of Zaraisk, The Wonderworker and Holy Bishop of Myra with Scenes from his life" Suzdal School, 16th Century (Museum of Russian Icons)
Detail from "Christ, Not Made by Hands (Allegory)", circa 1600 (Museum of Russian Icons)
"Mary Magdalene" circa 1890 (Museum of Russian Icons)
The honor system cafe (pay at the gift shop upstairs) is a nice touch with imported Russian treats, a hot beverage machine and these antique tea kettles.
Modern interior of Museum of Russian Icons (Image from Wikipedia)
Daydream Tourist 