The Howling Wall by sandra46
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Description
On a wall at one of the traffic lights I usually stop going home there is this wall, part of a condo which was built destrpying a much older building. They saved the keystones of the doors and windows putting them on the side wall. Every time I see them I find them a bit intriguing. Keystones, and real arches were invented first by the Etruscans, and the Romans copied them. Human, animal or fantastic heads actually represented a magic-religious protection of the most important part of the arch,the keystone where the two parts join without collapsing. Since Celts and Germans had a real passion for heads, they were happy to continue the tradition until more cynical Renaissance architects transformed these heads into intriguing ornaments.
Thanks for your kind comments.
Comments (63)
fallen21
Beautiful shot.
UteBigSmile
dakotabluemoon
That is really awesome very strange but nice take on it.
mariogiannecchini
Interessante immagine e storia !
RJS
A wonderful capture and excellent post-work. Enjoyed your explanation, too. Imagine the artistry that went into carving those heads in the first place. Sad to see them so degraded by time and wear, but they are still beautiful. Can our modern creations expect the same longevity, I wonder?
SIGMAWORLD
Interessant.
anmes
Amazing capture and postwork
blondeblurr
I feel it's a great shame, to have them abandoned to a wall like this, where they don't really belong - just like haunted ghosts of the past - beheaded! The postwork makes it even more grotesque - but let it be said, someone else's art can be, in a round-about way, controversial and interesting now ... BB
danapommet
Amazing catch! Wonderful collection of heads and it is so nice that someone thought to save them in this wall.
whaleman
Cool!
artistheat
Fantastic Pic
jac204
Very interesting capture.
bebert
effrayant !!
dochtersions
A great contrast in this photo. Looks unreal in a way, but it's very special and fascinating, indeed.
erlandpil
Awesome captur! erland
virginiese
It's intriguing and a little bit frightening. Thans for the information too. i didn't know this tradition was so ancient !
Hendesse
Looks impressive. Fantastic colors and textures.
evinrude
COOL
MagikUnicorn
VERY COOOOOOOOOL
marybelgium
cool !
theprojectionist
Yes Sandy ive often wondered why myself.
Cgaynor
Very dramatic!
mickeyrony
I believe they have something to say? As beautiful presentation. Congratulations again and many thanks for sharing ((5 + +)) Je croie qu'ils ont quelque chose à dire? Superbe comme présentation . Bravo encore et mille mercis de partager ((5++))
jarmila
che muro interessante :-) bella cattura e lavoro in post.ciao
carlx
Fantastic image!!!
myrrhluz
This is both a grotesque and fascinating image. Grotesque because the faces are out of place as well as the fact that they are howling. When they were a part of an arch, in their original place, they were a comfort or at least a customary sight. Here on this blank, brick wall they are awkward, and seem to be screaming in response to being there. Sometimes a building that has architecture of different types will seem to writhe in dismay at being so abused. These could be the voices of buildings that have been carelessly patched and built upon. They could be the voices of history that has been forgotten. They seem to cry out seeking to be heard and understood. Maybe they were just carelessly placed there by someone who kind of liked them, but they seem to have taken on a life and a mission, and it is definitely rather creepy. Excellent capture and postwork!
junge1
Nicely captured and interesting information. At least they preserved the keystonesand incorporated them into this new building.
Thetis
terrific capture! you have magical eyes :)
JuliSonne
** W O W *** Class!!!
KatesFriend
That is a fantastic shot Sandra. I wonder what was in the minds of the masons that created these keystones.