In Europe, ART is everywhere. It is old. It is new. It is original or remade. It is in the architecture, in the gardens, the window boxes. It is in the signs over the doors and even in the way the veggies or flowers are arranged for sale. There are a lot of pretty things to look at here. Well, some may be more fascinating than "pretty."
It can take us a while to get from here to there- there are so many things to distract us in-between! On our way to lunch: we make plan, know our route and head out. Getting off the U Bahn (subway) we notice a church we have never seen, a statue, fountain or maybe even tents that have popped up over night. We have to go in the church and when we do, we find a beautiful mosaic replica of The Last Supper; we stop by to photograph the fountain and ponder the statue; we investigate the tents- something fun going on this weekend. We get to lunch by 2! This happens pretty much daily. There is a lot look at, to investgate--- not to miss!
As I look around I realize that art is in so many details. I wonder about the original purpose of the building. I wonder about the artist who painstakingly carved, sculpted or painted. Some of the time the artist or architect is well known - you can look them or their works up on Wikipedia even. Most of the art here is un-famous, inconsequential and unsigned -- made by craftsmen to complete the look of a building or a church.
I wonder about those craftsmen. I imagine they took pride in their work, lucky to be contributing to this church or that rich man's home. Did they walk by the finished product and smile knowingly? Did they imagine someone 150 years later would still see their handiwork?
There are lots of people (men, scantily clad women, angel babies) holding up buildings. There are lots of heads above windows. In the churches there are dozens of paintings, carvings-- even the wooden pews are artistically made. It all pleases me and makes me wonder....
There are lots of people (men, scantily clad women, angel babies) holding up buildings. There are lots of heads above windows. In the churches there are dozens of paintings, carvings-- even the wooden pews are artistically made. It all pleases me and makes me wonder....