Dizzy Spell
by Connie Handscomb
Title
Dizzy Spell
Artist
Connie Handscomb
Medium
Photograph - Photography - Fine Art
Description
Natural History Museum, London, England : The Entrance
Located in South Kensington, this vast Gothic Romanesque structure is considered to be the finest 19th c. museum building in Britain and what the Victorians thought to be the best architecture. It was designed by British architect Alfred Waterhouse, and took several years to build: 1873-81.
Its frame is strong: of iron and steel ('revolutionary' for its time); its iron roof is paneled with pretty painted plant decorations. The facade is long and symmetrical , based on German Romanesque (Romanesque is symbolic and allegoric; often stylized with intent to impress upon us emotionally). The towers are cathedral-like; the main portal is cavernous. Corner pavilions have steep roofs. The terracotta is a creamy brown colour, banded in blue state; the brick is burnt.
The interior decoration of zoological and geological models, animals and fossils are based on Waterhouse's own drawings (he painted watercolours, and also designed furniture, and architectural details - hence, his 'trademark' use of terracotta tiles) . The west half of the building is decorated with living creatures, the east half with those now extinct . The Baroque staircase is enormous.
There are three main sections to the museum: the Life and Earth galleries, and the new Darwin Centre. The Earth galleries display the solar system and constellations, and volcanic and earthquake displays. It begins with the Big Bang and takes us along into the future. The Life Gallery explores the natural , ecological world, incl the famous Dinosaur gallery and a 1,300 year-old slice of a sequoia tree in the Central Hall. Side 'chapels' are filled with wonders of the natural world, its walls decorated with terracotta animals and plants. (Apparently only 1/100th of the collection has ever been displayed).
The Victorians had a passion for cataloguing data, evidenced by the 450,000 collection of jars with specimens preserved in alcohol (begun in 1753) found in the The Darwin Centre. Founding director Alfred Owen arranged excursions around the world for collections.
* ------------------------ *
♥ Heartfelt Gratitude to FAA groups for featuring this image :
London Photography
The Colour Blue
Landscape And Landmark Photog.
Doors And Windows Photog.Only3
10 Plus
Premium FAA Artists
Exploration Photography
Only Doors And Windows
The City Of London Artwork
♥ More Heartfelt Gratitude to the collector from London who provided this image with a new home: this image was SOLD!
Uploaded
March 21st, 2015
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Viewed 1,045 Times - Last Visitor from New York, NY on 03/29/2024 at 4:02 AM
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Comments (38)
Connie Handscomb
Thank you so much to the buyer from London who has provided this image with a new home! truly grateful to you! :))
Morris Finkelstein
Gorgeous photo of the Museum's exterior architecture, showing a repetition of columns and arches. I love that the reflection of the sky in the glass windows matches the blue in some of the tiles! F/L
Connie Handscomb replied:
Hi Morris! thank you for noticing the clouds in the glass .. yes, this building is very fine; a distinct architectural London gem .. so pleased you like it :))
Joseph Levine
Connie, thanks for the comprehensive data on this Museum, and for preserving the muted blue/brown coloring of its stone exterior -- which might easily pass for the interior of so many English cathedrals...
Connie Handscomb replied:
Thank you, Joseph! the stonework can keep one occupied for a long time, such intricate detail .. I didn't want to mess with the colours at all, I think they are wonderful as they are .. thank you for appreciating this image :))
Connie Handscomb
Nader, thank you so much! really appreciate your featuring this image in Exploration Photography! ;)))
onyonet photo studios
Gorgeous. Shows off the pattern perfectly.
Connie Handscomb replied:
Oh, yes, there are patterns upon patterns! thank you for appreciating this image ;)))
Joe Jake Pratt
Nice image Connie. The title explains it well.
Connie Handscomb replied:
Thank you, Joe! there's either a mirror behind the grillwork over the doors .. or else very shiny glass acting as a mirror ... that adds to the Dizziness! .. ; a building worthy of a visit over & over again every trip to London :)))
Glenn DiPaola
I thought this looked familiar. Excellent pov and processing on this the highlight and shadow in the arches are three dimensional. The upper corners are handled very well, not easy to do. I have a few detail images of those amazing columns. Wonderful image. v/f
Connie Handscomb replied:
Hi Glenn! I have the columns as well .. details will be posted .. sometime, another time it was a super-bright Blue Sky London Day, & I had just recently broken my toe overseas (! .. ) ... so holding my camera & my walking stick (purchased to make sure people didn't step on me} & trying not to hold up the line to the entrance too long (many people there that day) all challenges so really appreciate your kind comment. Thank you so much! :)))
Connie Handscomb
Roselynne, thank you so much for featuring this image in Doors And Windows Photography Only 3 :)))
ROSELYNNE BROUSSARD
amazing architectural design and terrific composition and colors! love it, Connie!
Berta Keeney
Connie, wow on the composition! Amazing lines and everything on here! LOVE..
Connie Handscomb replied:
Hi Berta, many greetings of a fine spring morning & thank you so much! ;)))