Something Beautiful

Illuminated Manuscripts (at the NGA)

Inspired by yesterday's post, I've been looking around the newly revamped NGA site. The NGA has always, in my opinion, been a little stingy with its images. That is still true in some areas, but now much less so in others. Here is a page full of wonderful, zoomable images from illuminated manuscripts. There are 16 images in the top half of the page. Don't miss the additional 19 images further down.

NGA's 25 most requested images

I love this page. It displays the thumbnails of the 25 most requested images at the website of the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. Just seeing so many great works on one page somehow has an effect on one's body. (Note that 25 more images are available on the very next page.)

New cathedrals & churches site

The Gotik-Romanik.de site is brand new to me. I've only just begun exploring it, but so far it looks amazing.

Google Art Project (v. 2)

So, you've heard about the updated Google Art Project, right? This extraordinary undertaking appeared in version 1.0 in February 2011. Version 2.0, just made public, is a substantial expansion. Last year only 17 museums were represented. This year a grand total of 151 institutions and collections make appearances. More than 32,000 artworks are included! (Further background is available in this New York Times article.)

You can explore the art through several approaches:

- Artists 

- Artworks

- Collections

As one might expect with Google, there is also a Search feature.

 

Jupiter and Io

Proposed: this photo of Io is beautiful.

The Passion, by Duccio (part 6) (end)

Here are the last three panels of Duccio's graphic retelling of the story of the Passion and Resurrection:

- Three Marys at the Empty Tomb
- Christ appears to Mary Magdalen (Noli Me Tangere)
- Road to Emmaus

- - -

Recap: We've been looking at panels from the Maestà, a famous altarpiece by Duccio di Buoninsegna, done in the years 1308-11.

These panels are, more specifically, on the back of this famous work. There are fourteen such panels altogether, telling the story of the Passion and Resurrection of Christ.

The Passion, by Duccio (part 5)

According to the Nicene Creed, Jesus 'descended into Hell' after his death but before his resurrection from the dead.

- Descent into Hell

This event is not mentioned in the canonical gospels, but is related in the apocryphal Gospel of Nicodemus. Here Christ has arrived in limbo and now sets his forefathers free. He helps Adam to rise. As he does so, he treads on a hideous Satan, who lies vanquished and blind with rage.

The Passion, by Duccio (part 4)

- Deposition
- Burial

The Passion, by Duccio (part 3)

In these two panels of the Maesta, c. 1310, Duccio portrays Christ on his way to Calvary, where he would be crucified, and the crucifixion itself:

- Way to Calvary
- Crucifixion

The Passion, by Duccio (part 2)

In these panels, Duccio portrays the arrest, trials and torture of Christ:

- Christ Arrested
- Christ before Annas, Peter's First Denial
- Christ before Caiaphas, Peter's Second Denial
- Christ Mocked, Peter's Third Denial
- Christ Accused by the Pharisees
- Pilate's First Interrogation of Christ
- Christ before Herod
- Christ before Pilate Again
- The Flagellation
- Crown of Thorns
- Pilate Washing His Hands