Sunday, November 20, 2011

Saints Alive!

Statues and Papal Coat of Arms, Saint Peter's Square, Vatican City, Italy  © Doug Hickok
(Velvia Slide Film)


Sunday Masses at the Vatican are impressive to see in person. The large crowds that gather in the square in front of Saint Peter's Basilica are surrounded by a colonnade of travertine stone, which hugs the faithful like the "maternal arms of Mother Church", according to its famous designer Bernini. The project was commissioned by Pope Alexander VII, Pontifex Maximus, in the year 1658.


Atop the colonnade are rows of statues representing various saints. In this image a few of them are suffused by the light of a setting sun, which seems to bring the old stone sculptures to life.

(I am trying out a new blogger template this weekend, for a change of pace. I will return to my normal one on Monday.)

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17 comments:

  1. AnonymousNovember 20, 2011 at 12:33 AM

    Great shot as always. I noticed that you changed your template. It's cool. :)

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  2. KalaNovember 20, 2011 at 12:46 AM

    What beautiful golden light on the colonnade and statues contrasting with the vivid blue sky.

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  3. 黄清华 Wong Ching WahNovember 20, 2011 at 3:40 AM

    Beautifully done, enjoy your weekend my friend !

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  4. Cezar and LéiaNovember 20, 2011 at 4:34 AM

    New layout, it's modern and nice! :)
    I love this picture, so wonderful detail from the architecture, and the blue sky is amazing!
    hugs and a nice week ahead,
    Léia

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  5. cieldequimperNovember 20, 2011 at 5:37 AM

    Gorgeous light! Boy is this comment field weird and strange to use.

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  6. yzNovember 20, 2011 at 8:04 AM

    excellent light

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  7. London CallerNovember 20, 2011 at 8:07 AM

    I really like your new template, D!
    It has come alive like the saints.
    Santto Bloggio? I reckon he is the patron saint of blogger.
    I worship him everyday.
    Would you excuse me?
    I need to say my prayers now.

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  8. donNovember 20, 2011 at 11:03 AM

    You created a fine composition with your choice of viewpoint and the items you included. I especially like the warm light's effect on the statues. Well done.

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  9. Traveling HawkNovember 20, 2011 at 11:25 AM

    The whole complex of Vatican, as the large square, are wonderful. Your photo shows only a detail but it gives the idea about the whole.

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  10. Jesús M.November 20, 2011 at 2:03 PM

    Espectacular blog, muy currado, y con unas imágenes impresionantes. Saludos.-

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  11. ....peter:)November 20, 2011 at 11:59 PM

    I have seen these once Doug and have photos of them in the background... you have captured them up close and in a light that is spectacular... you've done good Sir....peter:)

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  12. franzNovember 21, 2011 at 1:47 PM

    fantastic light in this one, doug, and a very clever way of cropping! isn't st. peter's square one of its kind?!?

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  13. Andrew Graeme GouldNovember 22, 2011 at 4:18 PM

    I'm always attracted to images with limited tonal values, Doug, and here, the brown tones and the detail contrast so well with that sky.

    I'm coming to this post late, and so did not see the template try out. All I can say is that for me, Blogger's flexibilty, as well as it's virtual 100% up time, make it the only place that I would host my blog.

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  14. ChristopherNovember 22, 2011 at 11:16 PM

    Love the light in this shot--it's perfect illumination for a shot of a place important to so many. Visiting the Vatican was an incredible experience; I was really wowed by the history.

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  15. DomLOrthaNovember 23, 2011 at 10:45 AM

    Fantastic Roman light! Great capture!
    Have a nice day.

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  16. Kovács MiklósNovember 30, 2011 at 7:52 AM

    Good colours again... Greetings

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  17. rianDecember 7, 2011 at 9:20 AM

    haven't been there yet, but i'll take your word for it.. ;) lovely colors in this shot of yours.. nice work..

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