Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Across the Ocean...

Angel with the Sudarium, Ponte Sant'Angelo, Rome, Italy  © Doug Hickok


From yesterday's natural angel we cross the ocean to a man made angel (young in comparison, a mere 342 years old). Designed by the great Italian artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini, and sculpted by Cosimo Fancelli in 1669, this stone angel is one of ten on the ancient Roman bridge that spans the Tiber River between Castel Sant'Angelo and the city's historic center. Each angel holds an instrument from the Passion. This one displays the Veil of Veronica, often called the Sudarium, which is said to have the likeness of the face of Jesus imprinted on it from when Veronica wiped the sweat off Christ's face during his struggle toward Calvary. The genius of Bernini can be seen in the complex textures and curving shapes of an angel transformed from stone to art.


at

15 comments:

  1. Traveling HawkApril 13, 2011 at 6:59 AM

    Yes, Doug, these are wonders of art! I love Rome:)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Marie LCApril 13, 2011 at 7:01 AM

    The angels, in Italy, always have an infinite grace. This sculpture is magnificent.

    ReplyDelete
  3. ChelseaApril 13, 2011 at 8:49 AM

    If she could talk she would say, thanks for catching my good side, Doug. The lighting makes me soooo beautiful. Is she a narcissistic angel? Hmm, hard to say, but how can you not be when your beauty is famous as is your father as is your home? What, this old cloth? Just a little something a threw on.

    ReplyDelete
  4. AlexandraApril 13, 2011 at 9:51 AM

    What a wonderful two-tone...and love the framing. It's likes she's giving the viewer benediction! :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousApril 13, 2011 at 11:12 AM

    Wonderful Angel statue!
    The photo is very nice, excellent lighting.

    ReplyDelete
  6. WimApril 13, 2011 at 2:25 PM

    I very much like the contrast of the tree sculpture below and this fine Bernini. Both great shots btw!

    ReplyDelete
  7. OKApril 13, 2011 at 2:42 PM

    excellent light and colors. well done.

    ReplyDelete
  8. fiziskandarzApril 13, 2011 at 6:47 PM

    amazing composition with such a vibrant contrast! really like the shahow on the sculpture too :D

    ReplyDelete
  9. London CallerApril 13, 2011 at 8:39 PM

    Can angels do bullfighting?!
    Oh I thought that was a matador? ;p
    Beautiful composition in golden hour!

    I saw Charleston on BBC today!
    Something about the Civil War.
    Were you there?

    ReplyDelete
  10. JoeApril 13, 2011 at 9:55 PM

    Beautiful photograph.Fantastic intensity of colour. Bernini is such a magnificent sculptor.

    ReplyDelete
  11. T. BecqueApril 13, 2011 at 10:31 PM

    It really is beautiful. Powerful too. Nicely done against that blue sky.

    ReplyDelete
  12. ChristopherApril 14, 2011 at 1:01 AM

    Beautiful--very nice shot and great, informative post too!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Cezar and LéiaApril 14, 2011 at 3:20 AM

    Awesome picture! Congratulations!
    Leia

    ReplyDelete
  14. fabrizioApril 15, 2011 at 2:10 AM

    practically perfect close up, wonderful

    ReplyDelete
  15. AyushApril 18, 2011 at 4:01 AM

    fine shot Doug, ncie sculpture too

    ReplyDelete