Architecture

N Wabash Ave, Chicago

On an initial walk downtown, I was on the lookout for backgrounds for my Word project among Chicago’s skyscrapers. I found quite a few candidates, if no winners. Click any picture below to see them all full sized (if viewing in email you may need to click the post title above first to go to the web site).

Edinburgh was packed with tourists Our first popular stop was the Church of St Giles (the High Kirk of St Giles). Outside it you can also find the stature of Sir Walter Scott, or to give him his full honorific as the plaque beneath the statue does, “Walter Francis Montagu Douglas Scott, 5th Duke of Buccleugh and 7th Duke of Queensberry, KG.” Click any image (and maybe the post title first) to see all the pictures full-sized.

Sint-Jacob Antwerpen

Saint James Church Antwerp

Evidently James is an English version of Jacob, via Latin and Old French. A monumental, lavishly decorated Gothic church, home to the tomb of artist Peter Paul Rubens which, alas, was closed with a lot of the church for renovation when we were there. The rear wall you see in the first picture with window light falling on it from the right is actually a painting on a barrier. Click any of the pictures to see them enlarged (unless you’re seeing this in email, in which case you may need to click the post title above first).

Cathedral of Our Lady

Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal

Some touristy postcard snaps of this magnificent cathedral, famous for its Pieter Paul Rubens paintings. You can see his Descent from the Cross in the 5th picture above and next to it an homage by Sam Dillemans. The accompanying brochure explains that the very realism of the Rubens fails to perturb the contemporary viewer as it ought, where the brutal impasto of the homage succeeds (it’s difficult to write sensibly about art). Click any of the pictures to see them all big (you may have to click the post title, above, first if you’re seeing this in an email).