Sunday 28 October 2012

Master of the Universe and The Virgin of Alsace





Master of the Universe : Eduardo Paolozzi (1924-2005)




Scottish Gallery of Modern Art,Modern Two began life as the Dean Orphanage.
Designed in 1830 by architect Thomas Hamilton,the building entered it's present incarnation when it
as acquired by the Scottish National Galleries,opening in 1999 as the Dean Gallery.

The gallery houses a collection of Dada and Surrealist works including a large body of work gifted
by Edinburgh born Sir Eduardo Paolozzi,before his death.

Unfortunately the galleries operate a no photos policy indoors.




This is one of my favourite buildings in the city,probably because it looks
and feels like an Italian palazzo. 
I can't begin to imagine the orphans' thoughts when they arrived here!



Ornate chimney construction.




Edinburgh skyline from the front terrace.










Foil :  Anthony Caro



Stone circle by Richard Long.

Behind this sculpture is the old Dean Cemetery which contains many elaborate
memorials to prominent city figures.



The Virgin of Alsace : Emile-Antoine Bourdelle (1861-1929)












13 comments:

Lynne with an e said...

What an eclectic mix of sculpture and architecture. A fascinating place to wander and wonder, no doubt.

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

Ruby, you have made the best of "no photos" inside and the stroll through the grounds is accented with lovely vignettes, statues and views of the architecture.

Bises,
Genie

biebkriebels said...

I like the building and the park. The combination of nature and art is always a joy to walk in. Beautiful pictures.

Palomasea said...

Really beautiful, dear Ruby...
Those chimneys...wow! Again, I love the juxtaposition of the romantic building/grounds and modern pieces..
Thank you so much for sharing this.

And a big thank you for your kind visit...I hope your weather does not get too wild...
It has been a crazy year, hasn't it?
I loved the cups in that image too...and the slippers are fabulous.
Hugs to you across the (very active) pond...
- Irina

stardust said...

Dear Ruby,
Old architecture and modern arts look harmonious at this place...so beautiful. I wonder if stone circle is British tradition? In Japan, many stone circles, from simple to elaborated ones, of Jomon period (10000 to 300 BC) were excavated and archaeologists have been trying to unveil the mysteries of stone circles. It’s interesting that the face of the Virgin looks like an Egyptian in my impression.

Yoko

Forest Dream Weaver said...

Yoko,circles appear to have been created throughout Celtic lands,and in other places around the world,as symbols of wholeness,often connected to the sun and the universe - as it appeared to them at the time. Here the old monolithic circles mark the path of the sun at precise points in the year. We may never know exactly why but it's interesting to speculate!

snowwhite said...

Hi Ruby,
How wonderful it is to enjoy art under high blue sky!
I love traditional buildings. The design of the structure is elegant, graceful and shows dignity.
The chimneys are quite interesting, at first I thought they were towers.
Really, the beauty of a stone building is quite different from the beauty of a wooden building.
keiko

dritanje said...

It's good to see the Dean Gallery displayed so well and in its autumn coloured surroundings too. I've always liked so much the Alsace Virgin and Child and it struck me, looking at first Paolozzi's Master of the Universe and then her - how different the two are. He is bent over, concentrating on his creating, while she is open armed and triumphant, holding up the Saviour of the World. Two different aspects of creativity - the first leading us into the whole piece and the other images and the last - ending it with a triumphant flourish!
M xx

Forest Dream Weaver said...

M..... it's interesting how you see the contrast. I suppose in different ways the child and man are both masters of the universe!

cosmos said...

I'm wondering if Jane Eyre was raised at this kind of orphanage. Those works of art are interesting to see. The expression on the face of the Virgin looks firm and resolute rather than gentle and quiet. I've just been to the EL Greco exhibition here.

cosmos

sarah said...

I've never seen such elaborate ornament chimney and the orphans' home, too.It's nice to see the building in Edinburgh from the terrace and Greens are so beautiful as usual.

Forest Dream Weaver said...

Cosmos,I imagine that all orphanages at this time would have been very cold places,despite imposing exteriors.


Thank you all for your comments.
Have a lovely week!

Ruby

Boris said...

I also think that modern art is very fit perfectly into the old style of this place

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