Thursday, October 24, 2013

Stone Portraits as Decorative Edging



Cari Amici (Dear Friends),

Who could have ever imagined using a row of life-size marble portraits as a decorative border?  But with the “cone-heads” giving an even more geometric element to the otherwise round form of the human head, a transitional edging is exactly what is going on up inside the Cathedral in Siena, Italy.  Now, each portrait is clearly labeled with a man’s name, presumably someone important in the church’s history, however, if you step back to just look at the overall patterns in the design of this – for my taste – information-overloaded interior decorating space, one can appreciate a little more the artistry.





There is also a catwalk over the heads.  It is obviously a functional addition, but serves well to create a shadow to help separate the top arches from the larger arches below the border of heads.  Clever… only I wish the men did not have such stern expressions!   





If you find yourself in Tuscany before 26 October 2013, I hope you will go see the temporary unveiling of the highly decorative stone floor of the Duomo (Cathedral) in Siena. http://www.operaduomo.siena.it/
More of the Divina Bellezza or “Divine Beauty”exhibition and the Duomo in Siena in the next post.

If you would like more information about Siena and its gorgeous Duomo, check out these links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siena_Cathedral
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Saluti,
Kelly

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