Le Donne di Firenze #1: Mary Magdalena

Mary Magdalene the Penitent, wood, Donatello, 1453-1455.

Carved of white poplar in 1453-1455, the statue was originally at least partly polychrome and gilded. Its realism was startling.

Probably carved for the baptistry in Florence, it is now in the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo.

Apparently, medieval iconography of Mary Magdalene mixed her with that of other Mary’s, including St. Mary of Egypt, who spent 30 years in the desert. This may have influenced Donatello’s work.

Lines Squared #27

Square Lines

Coffered ceiling, Basilica di San Lorenzo, Florence, Italy. Basilica designed by Brunelleschi, construction began in 1419.

Join Becky from The Life of B for October Squares #27. There are only two rules. The image must be square and must relate to the October theme: lines&squares.

Entombed

The tomb of Cosimo de’ Medici the Elder located in the crypt below the Basilica of San Lorenzo in Florence, Italy. It is built into a pillar that supports the church. Cosimo’s marble inlaid tombstone is directly above in the church floor. Four grates provide a glimpse of the burial monument below. Designed by Verrochio, 1464-1467.

Brunelleschi’s Dome

Brunelleschi’s dome for Il Duomo in Florence is the largest masonry dome in the world. Constructed from 1420 to 1434, the dome was the last element added to the cathedral. The dome is self-supporting. It is 45.5 meters in diameter.

The paintings by Vasari and Zucarri, showing The Last Judgement, date from 1572-1579.

Columns

Church Columns

Gothic Columns and Vaults, 1449-1500,  Aarhus Cathedral, Aarhus, Denmark

Aarhus Cathedral, as it now exists, was built in the Gothic style between 1449 and 1500. Like the exterior, the columns are made of brick, rather than marble or another stone. Prior to the Reformation, at which time the walls were painted to cover the frescoes, the natural brick might have been exposed. The painting decorating the vaults which the columns support was restored in 1990.

Join Ryan Photography’s Photo for the Week #13: Columns

Moving Water

Dueling Dribblers

15th-Century Fountain of Espéluque, Aix-en-Provence, France

The oldest part of Fountain of Espéluque in Aix.  The original 15th-century fountain, inset into a later support, was moved several times before being installed in the Place de l’Archevêtché by Georges Vallon in 1756. I couldn’t find any information about the 1618 date, which must have been added after the original installation.

Join Wit’s End Weekly Photo Challenge: Moving Water

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