A Charming Chimera by Chipka
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Description
Contrary to popularity, the winged, often fantastic, long-muzzled creatures known to inhabit the exteriors of cathedrals are not gargoyles. In fact, only about one-third of the creatures employed as ornaments are able to claim Gargoyle lineage. I was reminded of this, while visiting a good friend of mine, a Chimera who goes by the venerable Chimeran name of Exeter Carbuncle VIII. He lives and works at Chicago's Cathedral of Saint Ita, though I'm told (by his rather vocal cousin, Matilde de Chapeau, who now works as an ornament on New York's Chrysler Building) that Exeter started out as a wee little monster in an obscure interior portion of Notre Dame Cathedral in France. Most Chimeras have some connection with France, after all. Something to do with the great Parsley Famine of 1392, though details are vague, and anomalous, since Chimeras are a geovorous species. Historians do contend that vast numbers of Chimeras immigrated to French cathedrals in the late 1300s in order to exploit the dietary richness provided by prodigious numbers of short-winged Cherubs. It is also a known fact among geobiologists that those disembodied, winged heads, often mistakenly recognized as Round-Bottomed Cherubs (a pest species) are, indeed, a herbivorous species known to feed exclusively on parsley, and that France was--in the 1300s and early 1400--immune to the catastrophic Parsley Blight. Thus, Exeter Carbuncle VIII, is a direct descendant of the Chimera opportunists who have since become inexorably associated with Gothic French architecture.
Exeter himself is a bit close-beaked in regard to family history. "That's all so boring," he commonly states, and he repeated the sentiment during our last visit. He seemed a bit more interested in a bit of gossip, concerning another of the Chrysler Building ornaments, and a particular Egyptian Sphinx now working at the Lovre. Chimeras, I recognized long ago, are incredibly addicted to lurid gossip!
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As always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting, and hopefully you've all had a great weekend.
Comments (21)
clbsmiley
Great shot and info!
KatesFriend
Fascinating tale. I suppose this is part in parcel an explanation of the English's obsession with Cherubs. No doubt they migrated to that Seat of Mars as a result of the predatory efforts of the Chimeras. "What is art without Cherubs?" - James I, King of England
auntietk
You know, there are many people who would tell you it's nigh unto impossible to leave me speechless (and they might be right, actually), but ... I'm speechless. (Relatively speaking.) This is brilliant!
skyla824
awesome work.... very well done
beachzz
OMG, Chip--Exeter Carbuncle, parsley blights, Round Bottomed Cherubs--you are a fricken genius--this is so funny, so totally off the wall--I LOVE IT!!! A fave for absolute sure!!!
danapommet
I liked the Chimera, the background and loved the narrative. Dana
myrrhluz
I was going to say how fond I was of gargoyles, but now knowing that this would show a lamentable ignorance, I won't. I don't know if the individual I had just taken a picture of, right before landing wrong and hurting my knee, many years ago, was a gargoyle of not. I seem to remember he had a drainpipe coming out of his mouth, so he was obviously of a lower order. Not nearly as classy as this fellow. This is a great capture! I'd love to hear some of that lurid gossip, but it probably couldn't be printed here.
bimm3d
wonderful photo!!!
durleybeachbum
Just what I needed this morning! Brilliant, inventive, witty, hilarious, and a great pic too! You are a a marvel!
photostar
This story line is great, Chip. And so is the capture. Perhaps a new storyline series on these stone ornaments.
Rainbowgirl
Thumbs up, my friend! What a story! Finally someone who cares about Gargoyles and Chimeras! Love you!
tamburro
Fantastic photo and narration!!! Hugs. Orlando
MrsRatbag
Brilliant work, Chip!
romanceworks
Gossip seems like a necessary diversion when stuck to a building. Great photo and info. CC
ladyraven23452
I just love your work you have a great eye for things.
tennesseecowgirl
What a story..
anaber
Wonderful point of view.Wonderful capture.Thank you for your info.
kasalin
An excellent capture, dear Chip....and a great story too !!!!! 5* Hugs Karin:)
elfin14doaks
I love old buildings like this, awesome shot.
CoreyBlack
Hysterical! I love it when you do spot-on-surreal satire. It's a joy to read and always good for many, many laughs. It's wonderfully imaginative: Swift meets Vonnegut, meets Burroughs via the magic of the Mind of Chip. In fact I'm still laughing about it! The image starts out as somewhat menacing and then once you read the story behind it, it seems to change and become darkly funny. Almost like the chimera is laughing rather than growling at you. Nice capture and a great angle. I miss that neighborhood now. Nice work as always.
SunriseGirl
I must just ditto the comments above....this story makes the picture really come alive. Thank you for sharing your talents.