I love this lantern which graces the grounds of Schloss Schonbrunn the magnificent rococo palace, summer residence of the Habsburg rulers.
Everything here is on a grand scale, even the simple garden lanterns are works of art
I prefer the first image and was only going to post the one picture but although I think it looks great in black and white I think the warm colours of the building deserve to be seen too.
Today's pictures are connected by the theme "curves" but they are also connected because they were taken in 2010 at the Palace of Versailles, more specifically in the Domaine de Marie Antoinette a less formal private parkland with small palace, a grotto, a temple of love, a theatre, a farm and a small village.
The first of these pictures shows the interior of the theatre, it was difficult to get this picture because of the lighting and the fact that I wasn't supposed to take pictures inside. Apparently Marie Antoinette performed on this stage.
The second shot is of the interior of the summer house, a place where she entertained her many visitors. The beautiful tiled floor, the highly decorated walls and columns and the beautiful domed ceiling are reminders of the extravagant lifestyle of this most famous royal family.
The final two images are taken at the Queens House which is a rustic house set far into the park away from the Petit Trianon which is the formal residence. I love the curving staircase on the exterior and the wooden bench which matches the curves in other parts of the building.
