Montucky: It’s a very cool place – a whole big city block of above-ground monuments and crypts, laid out in a grid. One could (and we did!) easily walk around it for hours. Of course Evita’s tomb (above) is the main draw for most folks, but the rest is more interesting architecturally.
What struck me was the sculptures & history in this;…. that lion is just amazing! No matter what is said about the catholic church they did honor their religion with art. I love the lion (I’m guessing the connection there is lying down with lions… and how the sculptor managed to both capture a sense of humility and majesty all at the same time. Brilliant piece! – there is also a less direct connection between the lion and JC) Really cool! How I would have loved to see this! (Especially being American and the oldest church I’ve ever seen is only about a 115 years old… ) I also love the angel – I wonder what birds are perched on her wing? And that ornate detail… really breathtaking – that wrought iron work… Big wow on this beauty. Again I have to extend the best “online” handshake possible. Offering a photographic journey of such art work is not an easy task but like much of your work – you made it look easy. Brilliant. p.s. I have to openly admit I am extremely fond of anything honoring the deep emotional beliefs of a person. It’s amazing to think of such ideas like; how many tears have fallen to the ground and prayers that were lifted up in places like these.
Hi Lori – thanks again for the detailed and thoughtful comments – I really enjoy reading them! You know Christian imagery better than I, it seems – I didn’t make the lion connection at all. I just liked that it was licking its paw 🙂 The birds on the angel’s wings are Picazuro Pigeons, lovely birds that, unlike the ubiquitous Rock Pigeons, are AFAIK native to the area. They’re pretty large, bigger than Rock Pigeons. Better photos coming (much) later 🙂 I very much agree with you about art as a reflection of the convictions of its creator (or in this case, its patrons, as this cemetery was quite exclusive, and I’m pretty sure nobody interred there made their own monuments!). Although the Catholic Church and I have little in common, there has been a huge amount of wonderful art done in its service, and for that, I am grateful.
🙂 thanks for the compliment but to be honest I gained my bachelors at Gonzaga in Wa. I had to learn under a houseful of Jesuit Priests. Not being catholic myself that was a trick however, I learned a lot about their art and impact on our society. The hardest part? Calling them Father – so I opted for “Padre” – so I managed to call them Father without seeming disrespectful to my own. It’s actually a pretty good trick.
Amazing architecture and artwork. These are great photos. GOod luck.
Fascinating!
Paul: Thanks, and welcome!
Montucky: It’s a very cool place – a whole big city block of above-ground monuments and crypts, laid out in a grid. One could (and we did!) easily walk around it for hours. Of course Evita’s tomb (above) is the main draw for most folks, but the rest is more interesting architecturally.
What struck me was the sculptures & history in this;…. that lion is just amazing! No matter what is said about the catholic church they did honor their religion with art. I love the lion (I’m guessing the connection there is lying down with lions… and how the sculptor managed to both capture a sense of humility and majesty all at the same time. Brilliant piece! – there is also a less direct connection between the lion and JC) Really cool! How I would have loved to see this! (Especially being American and the oldest church I’ve ever seen is only about a 115 years old… ) I also love the angel – I wonder what birds are perched on her wing? And that ornate detail… really breathtaking – that wrought iron work… Big wow on this beauty. Again I have to extend the best “online” handshake possible. Offering a photographic journey of such art work is not an easy task but like much of your work – you made it look easy. Brilliant. p.s. I have to openly admit I am extremely fond of anything honoring the deep emotional beliefs of a person. It’s amazing to think of such ideas like; how many tears have fallen to the ground and prayers that were lifted up in places like these.
Hi Lori – thanks again for the detailed and thoughtful comments – I really enjoy reading them! You know Christian imagery better than I, it seems – I didn’t make the lion connection at all. I just liked that it was licking its paw 🙂 The birds on the angel’s wings are Picazuro Pigeons, lovely birds that, unlike the ubiquitous Rock Pigeons, are AFAIK native to the area. They’re pretty large, bigger than Rock Pigeons. Better photos coming (much) later 🙂 I very much agree with you about art as a reflection of the convictions of its creator (or in this case, its patrons, as this cemetery was quite exclusive, and I’m pretty sure nobody interred there made their own monuments!). Although the Catholic Church and I have little in common, there has been a huge amount of wonderful art done in its service, and for that, I am grateful.
What a beautiful place this is! Your pictures are wonderul.
“You know Christian imagery better than I”
🙂 thanks for the compliment but to be honest I gained my bachelors at Gonzaga in Wa. I had to learn under a houseful of Jesuit Priests. Not being catholic myself that was a trick however, I learned a lot about their art and impact on our society. The hardest part? Calling them Father – so I opted for “Padre” – so I managed to call them Father without seeming disrespectful to my own. It’s actually a pretty good trick.
LinCalvo: Thank you, and welcome!
Lori: A good trick indeed – I’ll keep it in mind if I ever wind up in a Jesuit university 😉
beautiful series, each one of those photos are masterpieces
Thanks, Ankush!