Building D2

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Building D2 by Mole Architects
Design District
Dormer Yard, Greenwich Peninsula
London, May 2023

“An iridescent metal exterior reflects a spectrum of gas flame colours. Inside, exposed wooden ceilings and beams bring warmth to ‘blank canvas’ work spaces suited to a variety of creative work.” (D2, Design District)

Macelli Pubblici

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Vecchi Macelli Pubblici (Former Public Slaughterhouses)
Largo Padre Spadoni
Pisa, June 2022

Fuente del Ángel Caído

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Fuente del Ángel Caído (Fountain of the Fallen Angel) by Ricardo Bellver, 1877
Parque del Buen Retiro
Madrid, September 2022

“The Fuente del Ángel Caído (Fountain of the Fallen Angel or Monument of the Fallen Angel) is a fountain located in the Buen Retiro Park in Madrid, Spain. The statue that crowns the monument is the masterpiece of Ricardo Bellver who realized it in plaster in 1877 while a 3rd year pensioner in Rome, inspired by verses from Paradise Lost of John Milton (Canto I). He submitted it to the 1877 edition of the Exposiciones Nacionales de Bellas Artes where it received the first prize. The state acquired the work and presented it to the 1878 Exposition Universelle. Since only works in marble and bronze were accepted, the statue was cast in bronze at this occasion and the plaster original destroyed. The statue returned to Spain in what was then the Museo Nacional de Pintura y Escultura (also known as the Museo de la Trinidad, now part of the Museo del Prado). The director of the museum, Benito Soriano Murillo, proposed its relocation in the open space so that the public could freely enjoy this peculiar and unusual creation. The statue was passed to the city hall that placed it on the spot of its present location which was formerly occupied by the Real Fábrica de Porcelanas de la China before its destruction during the French invasion in 1813, at the intersection of the paseo de Cuba, the paseo de Uruguay and the paseo del Duque de Fernán Nuñez in the Retiro park. The duque de Fernán Nuñez (probably Manuel Falcó y d´Adda y Valcárcel, the husband of the III Duquesa de Fernán Núñez) sponsored the monument. The architect Francisco Jareño was charged to design the pedestal, that is octagonal with figures of devils on each side gripping fishes, lizards and snakes, and placed at the center of a fountain of 10 meters diameter, itself surrounded by a parterre. The inauguration was made by the Queen consort of Spain Maria Christina of Austria in 1885. The monument is 7 meters high (the statue itself is 2.65 meters) and lies at the center of a roundabout named after the statue, that also gives its name to an entrance of the park.” (Fuente del Ángel Caído, Wikipedia)

Pomerio Ducale

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Gate of the Ducal Pomerium (Sec. XVI)
Via Palestro
Massa, April 2022

Building B4

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Building B4 by David Kohn Architects
Design District
Barton Yard / Soames Walk, Greenwich Peninsula
London, May 2023

“A vivid green metal grid defines the squares of red brick, glass blocks and glazing that make up the facade. On the top floor, it boasts a sheltered roof terrace.” (B4, Design District)

Pisa Griffin

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Pisa Griffin (copy)
Piazza dei Miracoli
Pisa, June 2022

“The Pisa Griffin is a large bronze sculpture of a griffin, a mythical beast, that has remained in Pisa, Italy since the Middle Ages despite its Islamic origin, specifically late 11th or early twelfth century Al-Andalus (Islamic Spain). It is now in the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo (Cathedral Museum) in Pisa. Carbon dating has determined that the griffin was made sometime between 1085 and 1110 AD. The Pisa Griffin is the largest medieval Islamic metal sculpture known, standing over three feet tall at 1.07 metres (42 in). It has been described as the ‘most famous as well as the most beautiful and monumental example’ of a tradition of zoomorphic bronzes in Islamic art. The griffin seems at first a historical anomaly given its elusive origin and multiplicity of possible uses, including a fountainhead or musical instrument. However, its possible origin can be approximated by comparing it to similar sculptures of its time, namely the animalistic sculptures and fountains of Al-Andalusian palatial settlements. Furthermore, the griffin may share a similar method of construction, and therefore origin, as the Al-Andalusian fountainheads based on the metallic contents of its bronze alloy.” (Pisa Griffin, Wikipedia)

Escudo de Córdoba

Azulejo with the Escudo de Córdoba (Seal of Cordoba)
Calle Capitulares
Córdoba, September 2022

“The shield of the city of Córdoba is a view of the Roman bridge over the Guadalquivir river, with the Albolafia waterwheel on the left with the wall and the bridge gate on it; and the tower of the Mosque-Cathedral flanked by three palm trees and some buildings in the background. It was ordered to be carried out by Fernando III in the year 1241 and after his conquest of the city in Muslim hands.” (Escudo de Córdoba, Córdobapedia)