Wallenstein Palace Gardens: Hercules & Dragon by photosynthesis

Photography • Travel • posted on Nov 10, 2015

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Description

This is the statue that stands on the little island in the middle of the pond at the Wallenstein garden in Prague. Here's some more information about the sculptor of the original (as I mentioned in my previous post, all the sculptures in the garden are 20th century copies of the 17th century originals): "Adriaen de Vries (c.1556–1626) was a Northern Mannerist sculptor born in the Netherlands, whose international style crossed the threshold to the Baroque; he excelled in refined modelling and bronze casting and in the manipulation of patina and became the most famous European sculptor of his generation. He also excelled in draughtsmanship. Fourteen sculptures, the largest collection of De Vries' work, are in Museum De Vries at Drottningholm Palace, opened in 2001. Their presence in Sweden is the result of the Sack of Prague in the last days of the Thirty Years' War, when the Swedes pillaged what remained of Rudolf's huge collections, and took a great many statues, in particular duke Albrecht von Wallenstein's garden statues, that used to adorn his palace on the lesser side of Prague. The originals, now to be found in Museum de Vries, are represented by bronze replicas at the Wallenstein Palace in Prague, now seat of the Czech senate."

Comments (6)

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anahata.c

11:08AM | Tue, 10 November 2015

the 'baroque' is seen in the dramatic twist of hercules, the equal twist of the dragon, and how everything is subsumed under a big "whorl," a dramatic flow. Their sculpture looked like it wanted to burst into our space (so different from classical sculpture, which stood proudly in its space. Think Michelangelo---for all his power, his sculptures rarely break out of their spaces, whereas this creates a mini-whirlwind...) Tough to photograph statues like this, because I assume there are several angles which are equally photogenic. I love that you caught Hercules with the roof underneath his staff, and his head in line with the cornices above. You put action against lots of visual activity, and it makes a very exciting view. Your composition is really keen, Claude, you know how to frame a subject, over and over. And the strong oranges and reds make strong contrast with all that white...and of course with Hercules' patina green. A complex and powerful shot, like he stands above all the cities of the world. Terrific work.

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1971s

11:09AM | Tue, 10 November 2015

Great work!

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MrsRatbag

7:31PM | Tue, 10 November 2015

I don't know all the ins and outs of different styles, but I love the movement and the patina on this sculpture. I'd like to have a small copy in my garden!

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durleybeachbum

1:43AM | Wed, 11 November 2015

It still shocks that each power stole artefacts from every country they entered. The British are probably the most guilty. A fine piece of work by him and you.

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