Stream Of Light - Pillars Of Life
by Connie Handscomb
Title
Stream Of Light - Pillars Of Life
Artist
Connie Handscomb
Medium
Photograph - Photography - Fine Art
Description
A Look Into the Interior Of :
The Natural History Museum , London
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 Earth galleries explore the natural, geological resources of Earth. 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.
Uploaded
February 22nd, 2015
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