... Welcome To Rome ...
.. A City of Contrasts..
A carousel ride of crazy sharing house with the crazy beautiful.
.. Today I'll ease you into it by starting softly with the crazy beautiful ..
Angels of Ponte Sant'Angelo
For over four hundred years these celestial sentinels have stood silently in wait. Ten angels armed with the 'instruments of the passion', they guide and protect pilgrims on their way to the Vatican City. However, for this pilgrim, the angels themselves were the focus of my journey. After sixteen years of wondering why I didn't photograph the other nine angels, I know now that 'The Angel With Cross' is my favourite, and yes I now also have his nine relatives ready to trot out over and over again.. Lucky YOU.. haha..
All ten angles were sculptured under the guidance of my favourite roman sculptor, Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Today's post showcases two: First, 'The Angel With Cross' whose face and demeanour are the embodiment of compassion. My eye wants to linger on the exquisite symmetry of gown and wings. The luck of the neighbouring church turret, with it's golden pink glow doesn't hurt either. And the other.. 'The Angel With Superscription', he's a bit more flamboyant.. Not your run of the mill angel.. No this one's more into the coifed do's, designer gowns and skirts flapping in the breeze.. A less typical angelic image.
Speaking of beauty.. When I finally finished capturing the ten angels for posperity, it was too late to visit the Vatican. However a quick walk there was more than worth the effort. Seeing St Peter's Square in the late afternoon glow was something to behold... The throngs of tourists had left for the day and the square was almost empty. Such incredible beauty draped in the stillness of the afternoon and the fading sunlight dancing on the fountains. Gorgeous!!! It's never too late to find beauty!!
Well that's it for today... There'll be plenty more Rome to come.. The crazy and the crazy beautiful.. and I still have to trot out those other eight angels.. They're backstage now putting their faces on!!
Wishing You All A Wonderful New Week
And Remember
It's Never Too Late To Find Beauty!
IMAGE SOURCE & CREDITS:
ALL Text, Original Photography & Artwork [copyright beingRuby©]
Shots taken on the Ponte Sant'Angelo and St Peter's Square, Rome, August 2011
27 comments:
GOOD MORNING, ANGEL!
Wonderful and breathtaking photos my dearest! When I studied the history of how FRANCE developed their culture and arts, it was clearly indicated in my resources that ITALY played a large role in inspiring France's finest poets, artists and architects...wow.
ENJOY YOUR DAY! Anita
incredible sculptures, wonderful photography and graphic design as always!
x
What a great photos!
You are an angel.(smile)
Hope everything is well.
Julie x
Aahhh- Roma!
A city unlike no other, so inspiring, so crazy, so original.
We must return and visit your angels- I've never seen them!
Buon giorno, bella.
You know how attached I am to crazy Rome. So happy to see the angels...I love Bernini, too.
Yes, to the first commenter...& also very important to French cuisine was Catherine de Medici.
Buona notte, Julie. This time difference is so annoying sometimes.
These are just breathtaking Julie!! I am so glad that you were able to capture all ten and St. Peter's square must have been so amazing. Loving all your photos and stories dear friend.
xo
Beautiful, Julie! Just looking at them motivates me to listen to my better angles this week. Thanks for taking us to Rome this morning.
Julie-
You know how much I love sculpture, and these are the most beautiful I have seen! As always, you post something we have seen nowhere else.
Thank you for sharing your God given talent and these statues with us.
Teresa
xoxo
Hi Julie! I think I need to visit Rome just to see the sculpture! When I studied this, so long ago, I remember Bernini was into dynamic movements and beautiful details in the fabrics. These angels are definitely his. They're beautiful! Someday...
Thanks for sharing your gorgeous art with us! Jennifer:)
it was the falling water drops that captivated me....love the cool greys ....the movement in the robes is really amazing too....but it is the absence of color that makes the most impact....in October, i love grey.....
now that you're posting about my favourite city in the world, i am hooked. I love how you describe those 2 angels. It makes them quite real. And, BTW, I think the best time to explore any city in the world is late afternoon to early evening. It's when most tourists have disappeared and the locals feel free to come out again. That's when you'll really get to know the place.
Julie, I knew Rome was going to be crazy beautiful - and yeah, just look at these photos!!! How magnificent. How gorgeous. How perfect. And the warm golden peach/pinkish glow is divine! Bernini, marble, light and water...and your unerring eye. Crazy, crazy, crazy beautiful!
Lord have mercy. Today was extra special in the land of Ruby. Your photos and words whisked me away to such a happy place. SO beautiful, and so well written.
xoxo isa
I am intrigued by how you isolate various elements and create beautiful compositions with each. Different angels at different angles, and all intriguing. 10 angels to play with? A lifetime of possibilities: lucky you! Your words to describe your impressions are as delightful as your photos. I'm lovin' this trip!
Hi Julie, I enjoyed seeing "gli angeli" through your amazing eyes :)
Have a great week my friend
Claudia xo
I like the angels....I like the fountain photos even more.
Beautiful photos of the angels and the fountains! It makes me homesick for my favourite city and October explorations on foot to see such wonders.
please julie....
send in the angels!!
beautiful images as always.
xxOO
Hi Julie
I absolutely love the way you travel, you focus on the minute beautiful items which make up the whole of the subject. Your patience and observation skills are so evident in your work. What a beautiful treat to have you travel
Helen xx
in your hands those angels resemble art posters!
debra
I am in awe of these angels Julie.
Your photos are amazing works of art just as the originals. I so admire the early artists, Bernini, Michelangelo, etc who worked in marble. They created the most breathtaking work.....it is such a gift to the world.
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Oh you ARE an angel, Ruby...er, Julie. I loved the Vatican when we visited but it was packed with tourists...a someone yelling, "Silencio" every four minutes in the Sistene Chapel.
I love these photos!
You have such a beautiful eye ~ I will share Roma on our Traveling Tuesdays... if that is ok with you :-)
Gorgeous Julie, as always. Wow, you bring us there and then completely challenge our expectations. LOVE it!
I could just hear those fountains, Julie. What beautiful photography! :)
xoxo laurie
I adore the photos, and love the post, Julie. I used to live in Rome when I was a child of 9. It is one of my favorite places in the entire world.
Nice Sculpture @ Rome, Thumbs up, Thanks for sharing this blog with sunshine coast attractions.
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