Nymphs

Flower of fancy

Vanishing Dream

Destiny

Oblivion

 

Every time that I visit Chirk I admire these statues. I know they might not be to everybody's taste but I think they are magnificent. I particularly like the two which are placed next to each other which are called "Destiny" and "Vanishing Dream". 

They are in a naturalistic and symbolist style (apparently) and while the figures are nude for me the power of each sculpture is in the facial expressions and the symbolism. I don't understand the symbolism in each sculpture, for example why one is standing on a serpent, or another has her hands bound behind her back and another has her eyes bound with cloth, but they are elegant and beautifully crafted.

I have shared images of them before I know but today I have gone all out and shared several images and included shots of all four sculptures which I have not done before

They were made by Andrea Carlo Lucchesi who work predominantly in London. He died in 1924 aged 64. The sculptures collectively known as "The Nymphs" were owned by Lord and Lady Howard de Walden who leased Chirk Castle between 1911 and 1946 and were brought to the castle from the couple's London home. Originally they stood in the family's dining room until Lady Howard de Walden insisted they be moved to "a more appropriate location"

Copenhagen - Art and Architecture

 I think I have shared the first of todays images before but the other two, I don't think so.

These are from Copenhagen in the summer of 2018 when I was on a road trip with my youngest son. We didn't really have too much time in Copenhagen and it is a city that I would love to go back to and explore some more. There is some fantastic modern architecture, like the Opera House which sits opposite the Amalienborg (Royal Residence) and Amaliehaven which is a small park on the waterfront. This is a lovely restful spot along the waterfront, in each corner of the garden is a bronze statue created by the Italian sculptor Arnaldo Pomodoro. I thought they were really impressive as you can see from the two columns in the images above. 

More Art In The Park

Yesterday I shared three views of the magnificent bronze head by Igor Mitoraj that is found in the Boboli Gardens in Florence.

Today I have shared two more art works from the park, these are both by the German sculptor Fritz Koenig. He is most famous for The Sphere which stood in the plaza between the Twin Towers of the World Trade Centre.

These sculptures were part of the first exhibition of his work since his death in 2017 and were my favourite works on display. I didn't realise at the time how important this collection was but I am pleased that I got to see these fascinating sculptures.

I don't know what the symbols on the sphere represent but the second sculpture "Grosse Flora D, Grande Flora D" (1979/1980) I think could represent a flower or it could be a heavily stylised human form. 

Scales of Justice

More pictures from London, today they are all of the Central Criminal Courts at The Old Bailey.

I was lucky to be there early in the morning so there weren't many people around, but also the sky was a fantastic clear blue and so provided a perfect backdrop to the bronze statue of Lady Justice as she stands atop the dome.

Palace House, Beaulieu

Palace House at Beaulieu is the home of Lord Montagu and is described as being one of Britain's Treasure Houses. It really is a beautiful building and the interior is quite magnificent  with vaulted ceilings and stained glass.

I was really drawn to the sculpture of the cheetah, i like the lines and the colours and the way it captures the light from the window.