Sunday, December 31, 2023
Saturday, December 30, 2023
José de Ribera
José de Ribera “el Españoleto” by Mariano Benlliure, 1888
Plaza del Poeta Llorente
Valencia, September 2022
“Jusepe de Ribera (1591 – 1652) was a painter and printmaker, who along with Francisco de Zurbarán, Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, and the singular Diego Velázquez, are regarded as the major artists of Spanish Baroque painting. Referring to a series of Ribera exhibitions held in the late 20th century, Philippe de Montebello wrote ‘If Ribera's status as the undisputed protagonist of Neapolitan painting had ever been in doubt, it was not longer. Indeed, to many it seemed that Ribera emerged from these exhibitions as not simply the greatest Neapolitan artist of his age but one of the outstanding European masters of the seventeenth century.’: vii p. Jusepe de Ribera has also been referred to as José de Ribera, Josep de Ribera, and Lo Spagnoletto (the Little Spaniard) by his contemporaries, early historians, and biographers.” (Jusepe de Ribera, Wikipedia)
Friday, December 29, 2023
Thursday, December 28, 2023
Three Broadgate
Three Broadgate by Orms, 1987
Broadgate, City of London
London, May 2023
“Three Broadgate provides a pedestrian link between Broadgate Circle and Finsbury Avenue Square. It was built in 1987 to serve as the estate’s marketing suite. Architecture firm ORMS has designed a three-storey arch created in the façade with a wider entry point, in order to improve links with the surrounding estate. The pink granite cladding has been replaced with a veil made up of decorative tiles- designed to reference the site’s use for cloth making in medieval times.” (3 Broadgate, Cornelius UK)
Wednesday, December 27, 2023
Ferrara Cathedral
Cattedrale di San Giorgio (St George Cathedral)
Piazza della Cattedrale
Ferrara, May 2022
“Ferrara Cathedral (Basilica Cattedrale di San Giorgio, Duomo di Ferrara) is a Roman Catholic cathedral and minor basilica in Ferrara, Northern Italy. Dedicated to Saint George, the patron saint of the city, it is the seat of the Archbishop of Ferrara and the largest religious building in the city. The cathedral stands in the city centre, not far from the Palazzo Comunale and the famous Castello Estense and is connected to the Archbishop's Palace by a covered passage. Construction of the present building began in the 12th century, when the city was being extended on the left bank of the Po di Volano, a long right branch of Po River; the construction of the new cathedral started in 1135. Its main altar was consecrated on May 8 in 1177, which indicates that the cathedral or at least its eastern parts had almost been completed, 42 years after the first stone, for the construction of a large medieval church quite a good time. The former cathedral, also dedicated to Saint George, still stands on the right bank of the river outside the city walls, but almost totally remodelled in 16th to 18th centuries. It is now known as St George's Basilica Outside the Walls (San Giorgio fuori le mura).” (Ferrara Cathedral, Wikipedia)
Tuesday, December 26, 2023
Castillo de San Servando
Castillo de San Servando (Castle of San Servando)
Cuesta de San Servando
Toledo, September 2022
“The Castle of San Servando is a medieval castle in Toledo, Spain, near the Tagus River. It was begun as a monastery, occupied first by monks and later by the Knights Templar. In 1874 the castle was named a national monument. The fortress was depicted in El Greco's painting View of Toledo. Lying at the opposite bank of the Tagus than the main urban core, it is connected to the Santa Bárbara residential area through the Cuesta de San Servando.” (Castle of San Servando, Wikipedia)
Monday, December 25, 2023
Porta del Ponte
Porta del Ponte (Gate of the Bridge)
Arch of Alberico I Cybo-Malaspina
Via San Martino
Massa, April 2022
Sunday, December 24, 2023
Upside Down House
Upside Down House
Westfield White City
Westfield Square, Ariel Way
London, May 2023
“The first Upside Down House in London has landed at Westfield White City! An interactive photo attraction that welcomes a diverse audience of all ages, whether you’re a content creator or a family planning your next day out, this experience will certainly turn that frown upside down.” (Upside Down House, Westfield London)
Saturday, December 23, 2023
Castello Estense
Castello Estense (Este Castle)
Largo Castello
Ferrara, May 2022
“The Castello Estense (Este castle) or castello di San Michele (St. Michael's castle) is a moated medieval castle in the center of Ferrara, northern Italy. It consists of a large block with four corner towers. On the outside, the castle essentially presents the appearance given to it by Girolamo da Carpi in the second half of the 16th century. Surrounded by a moat, it has three entrances with drawbridges fronted by brickwork ravelins. The fourth entrance, to the east, was removed to make room for the kitchens.” (Castello Estense, Wikipedia)
Friday, December 22, 2023
Julia
“Julia” by Jaume Plensa, 2018
Plaza de Colón
Madrid, September 2022
“The 12-metre sculpture by Jaume Plensa, called Julia, came to the Plaza de Colón in December 2018. The famous sculptor's work, with the sponsorship of the María Cristina Masaveu Peterson Foundation and the collaboration of Madrid City Council, rests on the pedestal that used to be occupied by the statue of the Genoese navigator and will initially remain there until 20 December 2023. Made from polyester resin and white marble dust, Julia is the first sculpture of this kind by Plensa to be shown in Spain. The choice is meant to lead to the development of similar projects in the future. In the words of the artist himself,– ‘Julia is conceived of as a work to inspire personal, intimate, reflection in the hectic rhythm of the public space.’ Born in Barcelona in 1955, Jaume Plensa studied at Escola de la Llotja and the Reial Acadèmia Catalana de Belles Arts de Sant Jordi. The internationally renowned winner of the Velázquez Prize for Visual Arts in 2013 held his first exhibition in Barcelona in 1980. Since then, he’s lived and shown his work in Germany, Belgium, England, France and USA. Now he’s back in Barcelona. In his sculptures, Plensa works with materials, ideas and emotions, as well as with references to literature and poetry, music, or the history of thought.” (Julia, Madrid)
Thursday, December 21, 2023
Wednesday, December 20, 2023
Word on the Water
Word on the Water, Regent's Canal Towpath
The Gas Station, Goods Way
Kings Place, York Way
King's Cross Central
London, May 2023
“Word on the Water is a bookshop situated on a barge that normally resides on Regent's Canal in the King's Cross area at Granary Square, London, although it has historically been based at other points along the London canal network. It has appeared in numerous publication's lists of the best bookshops in the UK including The Washington Post and The Guardian. The bookshop's home is a Dutch canal boat called Dianti dating back to the 1920s. As well as working as a bookshop, it regularly acts as a venue, hosting live music and poetry events.” (Word on the Water, Wikipedia)
“This indoor-outdoor venue has three bars set over two floors, as well as a beautiful canal-side beer garden. The outdoor space has been created with Richard Wilford, head of garden design at Royal Botanic Garden in Kew, and is bursting with cheerful florals designed to be a pollinator haven. The space is covered and heated for use all year round.” (The Gas Station, King's Cross)
“Kings Place is a building in London’s Kings Cross area, providing music and visual arts venues combined with seven floors of office space. It has housed the editorial offices of The Guardian newspaper since December 2008 and is the former headquarters of Network Rail and CGI.” (Kings Place, Wikipedia)
Tuesday, December 19, 2023
Sine sole silet
“Sine sole silet” (Without the sun it is silent)
Sundial by Giovanni Zaffi, 1869
Piazza Municipale
Ferrara, May 2022
Monday, December 18, 2023
San Juan y Todos los Santos
San Juan y Todos los Santos (St John and All Saints)
aka Iglesia de la Trinidad (Trinity Church)
Plaza de la Trinidad
Córdoba, September 2022
“San Juan y Todos los Santos (St John and All Saints), also known as Iglesia de la Trinidad (Trinity Church), is a Catholic church located on the Plaza de la Trinidad in Córdoba, Spain. It stands on the site of the former Convento de la Trinidad established shortly after Fernando III conquered the city in 1236. Built in the Baroque style, it forms part of the Historic centre of Córdoba, a UNESCO World Heritage site.” (San Juan y Todos los Santos, Wikipedia)
Sunday, December 17, 2023
Via Francigena
Via Francigena signpost
Via San Martino
Massa, April 2022
“The Via Francigena is an ancient road and pilgrimage route running from the cathedral city of Canterbury in England, through France and Switzerland, to Rome and then to Apulia, Italy, where there were ports of embarkation for the Holy Land. It was known in Italy as the ‘Via Francigena’ (the road that comes from France) or the ‘Via Romea Francigena’ (the road to Rome that comes from France). In medieval times it was an important road and pilgrimage route for those wishing to visit the Holy See and the tombs of the apostles Peter and Paul.” (Via Francigena, Wikipedia)
Saturday, December 16, 2023
Coal Drops Yard
Coal Drops Yard
Stable Street
King's Cross Central
London, May 2023
“Coal Drops Yard is a shopping complex and privately owned public space that forms part of the King's Cross Central development scheme in London, England. The development was designed by Thomas Heatherwick and opened in October 2018. The two Victorian coal drops sheds were used to receive coal from South Yorkshire and trans-ship it to narrowboats on the Regents Canal and to horse-drawn carts; they processed 8m tonnes a year. Coal was the only form of energy available to heat and light the buildings of London, either directly or after having been converted to coal gas in the adjacent gas works. Coal use was challenged by electricity, and electricity prevailed – the coal drops were redundant and fell into decay. They were used as warehouse units; one was gutted by fire in 1985 and another used by Bagley's nightclub, which closed in 2007. The night clubs complemented a vibrant night life of easy drug access, raves and prostitution.” (Coal Drops Yard, Wikipedia)
Friday, December 15, 2023
Santo Stefano Protomartire
Church of Santo Stefano
Via Cortevecchia
Ferrara, May 2022
“The church of Santo Stefano or San Stefano Protomartire is among the oldest in Ferrara, Italy. It is located on Piazetta Sant'Etienne, a few blocks west of the Ferrara Cathedral. Founded about the year 960, the church has undergone a number of reconstructions. The Belltower, constructed in 1100, nearly collapsed in 1275. The earthquake of 1570 caused much damage. The present structure owes it structure to Biagio Rossetti. In 1657, the church was granted to the Congregation of the Oratory of San Filippo Neri. In 1796, the congregation was suppressed. Bombs in 1944 caused much damage to the ceiling frescoes (1882) by Francesco Ferrari. The portal in the church once belonged to the church of San Silvestro. The interior has altarpieces or work by Giacomo Parolini, Ippolito Scarsella, Carlo Bononi, Gaetano Gandolfi, Paganini, Giuseppe Avanzi, and Antonio Randa.” (Santo Stefano, Wikipedia)
Thursday, December 14, 2023
Wednesday, December 13, 2023
Tuesday, December 12, 2023
Hawksmoor Wood Wharf
Hawksmoor Wood Wharf
Water Street, Canary Wharf
Isle of Dogs, Tower Hamlets
London, May 2023
“Hawksmoor Wood Wharf will be housed in an eco-friendly floating pavilion. Made from sustainably sourced timber decking and aluminium extracted from hydro sources, the fully floating pavilion will have a green roof planted with wildflowers and grasses, to encourage visits from insects and bees. It will be primarily powered by energy from Canary Wharf’s Combined Heat and Power network to help lower the impact on the environment. Continuing our commitment to sustainability and environmentally sound practices, which is such a big part of how we’re trying to continue to improve Hawksmoor over the coming years.” (Hawksmoor Wood Wharf, Hawksmoor)
Monday, December 11, 2023
Scalone d'onore
Scalone d'onore (Staircase of honour)
Piazza Municipale
Ferrara, May 2022
“Piazza Municipale was once the former court of honour of the Ducal Palace that is dominated by the magnificent Scalone d’Onore (stairway of honour) built by Pietro Benvenuto degli Ordini. These steps blend the Gothic Medieval elements like the Venetian style marble banisters with other obviously Renaissance style elements like the arches and the dome. The wing alongside the stairway presents elegant marble windows that denote the position of the living quarters of many Duchesses from the past and the most famous of whom was no doubt Lucrezia Borgia. Federico da Montefeltro, the famed leader and Duke of Urbino died in the same apartment. A large marble surround now denotes the entrance to the communal theatre that was once the Ducal Church of Santa Maria di Corte.” (Piazza Municipale, Ferrara terra e acqua)
Sunday, December 10, 2023
Naked woman
Naked woman by Ruy Roque Gameiro, 1933
Calouste Gulbenkian Garden
Avenida de Berna
Lisbon, April 2019
“Ruy Roque Gameiro (27 February 1906 – 18 August 1935) was a Portuguese sculptor. Although he died relatively young, he won the admiration of critics, particularly José de Figueiredo. Son of the watercolour master Alfredo Roque Gameiro and disciple of José Simões de Almeida (nephew), he attended the auto mechanic course at the Marqués de Pombal Industrial School in Lisbon, at that time directed by Sanches de Castro. In 1928, he finished the course of the School of Fine Arts of Lisbon, with a proven proof of sculpture under the title Abel and Cain. The following year, he exhibited for the first time in the National Society of Fine Arts – Sociedade Nacional de Belas Artes, with two sculptures, Salomé and the head of the painter José Tagarro, the latter soon acquired for the National Museum of Contemporary Art.” (Ruy Roque Gameiro, Wikipedia)
Saturday, December 9, 2023
Friday, December 8, 2023
Dollar Bay
Dollar Bay by Ian Simpson Architects, 2017
Lawn House Close, Canary Wharf
Isle of Dogs, Tower Hamlets
London, May 2023
“Dollar Bay is a new 31-storey residential tower development in Docklands, London E14. Designed by the internationally-acclaimed Ian Simpson Architects, Dollar Bay offers a range of studio, one, two and three bedroom homes, each of which will enjoy an enclosed ‘winter garden'. A three-storey penthouse boasts 360-degree views of London. The waterfront site on the Isle of Dogs was acquired from Londonewcastle on 4 April. The £90 million scheme contained 115 homes for private sale and 10 for shared ownership.” (Dollar Bay, Buildington)
Thursday, December 7, 2023
Column by Ercole Grandi
Column by Ercole Grandi, 1675
Statue of Ludovico Ariosto by Francesco and Mansueto Vidoni, 1833
Piazza Ariostea
Ferrara, May 2022
“In the early 16th century, Duke Ercole I commissioned Ercole Grandi to design two columns for his own equestrian monument. On the way to Ferrara, one of the columns was lost in the Po River. The other one, which reached the town, was not immediately raised. The column was placed in the square only in 1675 to house the statue of Pope Alexander VII. In 1796, the French replaced the papal statue with a plaster statue depicting ‘Liberty’, which was demolished in 1799. In 1810, a large statue of Napoleon was placed on the column, which remained there only four years, until the Austrians arrived in Ferrara. Finally, on November 25, 1833, the statue of the poet Ludovico Ariosto was placed on the column. In 1933, the plan of the square was lowered, to create a sort of natural staircase around it, and to allow the first modern edition of the Palio of Ferrara. Important restoration works were carried out in the square between 2018 and 2020. The square has a rectangular shape with a lowered central ring made in 1933 for the Palio race. At the center of the square stands the 16th-century column designed by Ercole Grandi, on which, since 1833, the statue of Ludovico Ariosto was placed.” (Piazza Ariostea, Italyscapes)
Wednesday, December 6, 2023
Tuesday, December 5, 2023
Monday, December 4, 2023
One Park Drive
One Park Drive by Herzog & de Meuron, 2021
1 Park Drive
Wood Wharf, Canary Wharf
Isle of Dogs, Tower Hamlets
London, May 2023
“One Park Drive is a residential skyscraper situated in the south west corner of Wood Wharf, within the Canary Wharf development on the Isle of Dogs, London. The building is the first residential development designed by Swiss based architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron in the United Kingdom. It is cylindrical in shape, with 57-storeys comprising 484 private residential apartments and penthouses. The sub penthouses on floor 55 were launched in September 2022 and the main penthouses on floors 56-57 with duplex floors were launched in October 2022. As of February 2023, One Park Drive is the ninth-tallest building in the United Kingdom at 205 m (673 ft) tall.” (One Park Drive, Wikipedia)
Sunday, December 3, 2023
Loggia dei Mercanti
Loggia dei Mercanti
Piazza Trento - Trieste
Ferrara, May 2022
“On the left side of the Cathedral, there is the loggia of the Merchants, occupied by colourful shops and workshops since medieval times.” (Ferrara, Artemilia)
Saturday, December 2, 2023
San Juan de los Reyes
Monasterio de San Juan de los Reyes (Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes)
Calle de los Reyes Católicos
Toledo, September 2022
“The Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes (Monastery of Saint John of the Monarchs) is an Isabelline style Franciscan monastery in Toledo, in Castile-La Mancha, Spain, built by the Catholic Monarchs (1477–1504). This monastery was founded by King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella I of Castile to commemorate both the birth of their son, Prince John, and their victory at the Battle of Toro (1476) over the army of Afonso V of Portugal. Prince John of Portugal also celebrated his victory over the Castilian army of the Catholic monarchs with a solemn procession on each anniversary of the battle. This apparent contradiction was a consequence of the indecisive military outcome of the battle: the troops under Afonso V broke while the forces led by Prince John of Portugal defeated the Castilian right wing and remained in possession of the battlefield.” (Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes, Wikipedia)