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Deposizione
Deposizione And here we look at the Madonna figuring in a polychrome wooden sculpture of the Deposition of Christ. Tears are dripping from her eyes. A beautiful example, as so many Romanesque Madonna’s, of truly great art. Photos of the week: Bottega (workshop) altotiberina, Gruppo della Deposizione (Deposition of Christ), detail of the Madonna, c.…
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Crocifissione
Crocifissione What I wrote in last week’s post applies to this fresco of the crucifixion as well. Especially the figure on the left of the painting – Mary I presume – is touching, with her deeply bowed head and the sadly resigned expression of her face. Photos of the week: Maestro di Montemartello (?), Crocifissione,…
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Crucifixion
Crucifixion During Lent, the weeks before Easter, I happily bring out the oratorios by Handel (Messiah), Caldara (Maddalena ai piedi di Cristo) and of course Bach (St. Matthew and St. John Passion) to immerse myself in magnificent music that recollects among other things the life and Passion of Christ. Does ardent faith play a part…
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Palazzo del Podesta
Palazzo del Podesta When you look back from the steps of the Palazzo dei Consoli in Gubbio you see at the other end of the Piazza Grande the façade of the Palazzo del Podesta. The irregular distribution of the differently sized windows in the huge wall is fascinating. It invited me to make this composition.…
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Greek Madonna
Greek Madonna This Madonna, painted on cloth, appeals to me. I think it is the expression of her longish face that made me look at her intently. I feel in it a tinge of sadness. There runs a scarcely perceptible fold through the hanging cloth as a result of which the left half of her…
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Turquoise beauty
Turquoise beauty She helps out at the Jokhang, at least she did back in 1996 when I visited the temple. I adored her sweet face and rosy cheeks framed by a typical string of Tibetan turquoise. Two of her front teeth covered with gold are enhancing the beauty of her smile. Photo of the week:…
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On the roof of the world
On the roof of the world Outside on the top floor of the Jokhang temple, between elaborately gilded roofs, you have a view of Lhasa and the surrounding mountains. With their velvety green cover they almost look like a film set. Photo of the week: Jokhang, Lhasa, Tibet 1996
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Guardian angel
Guardian angel She may not exactly have the angelic looks that you would expect, but I think I recognize in this painting Palden Lhamo, the protector of the Dalai Lama, of Lhasa, even of the whole of Tibet. Many deities are known in benign and in wrathful forms. And it is in their wrathful appearance…
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Jokhang
Jokhang The clouds of smoke from the burning of incense block the view of the entrance to the Jokhang, the most important sanctuary of Tibet in the heart of Lhasa. The oldest parts of the temple date from the 7th century. And still the place is buzzing with religious and social activity. Photo of the…
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Sunset at Sunset Beach
Sunset at Sunset Beach With the promise of a new dawn. Photo of the week: Betalbatim, Goa, India 2019
