Friday 3 September 2010

Of Naughty Angels,
a Vigilant Hussar and a Hero King


"The Hussar"
The hussar on his horse,
in his verdigris splendor,
up on the roof since the 19th Century,
is still on the look-out
for customers of a travel agency
and gun store that has long ceased
doing business, however.

More romantic souls
insist that the statue really represents
the "Lion of Lechistan", the Polish King, Jan III Sobieski,
beloved by the Viennese for coming to their rescue
during the Turkish Siege and the Battle of Vienna in 1683.
Whoever the solitary horseman
keeping vigil up there may be,
he enjoys a view over the city of Vienna
that reaches all the way to the vineyards
and the hills of the Vienna Woods

Verdigris window frames
and blue sky reflected in the glass,
two colours that play into
the lightness of being
one feels on a sunny day
in Vienna

Above the portal
of the Cartier store entrance,
under a balcony with an
elaborate coat of arms,
a rather un-heavenly scene:
two naughty angels
disturb the peace of a dole of doves,
much to the terror of the frightened
little angels to the right

Photographed
at the corner of
Graben and Kohlmarkt
2 September 2010

Images and Text
© 2010 by Merisi

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17 comments:

  1. An escaped Lippanzanner?
    Painted with a coat of green?
    Why not?
    There is another one on top of the Hermes building in Paris...
    Magnifique!

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  2. The verdigris looks good against the backdrop of blue sky and stratocumulus!

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  3. Paris Breakfasts:
    Who knows, it could well have been a Lipizzan stallion! As far as I know, it is a natural patina on the statue, metal weathered over the centuries.

    Wandering Star:
    Oh yes, I agree wholeheartedly!

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  4. Beautiful pictures and building!

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  5. Dear Merisi, You have been away so you don't know that YOU WON MY CONTEST. Please check my post of September 23, 2010. I have given you several choices to pick from. Congratulations!

    Please send me your address. You can leave it in my Etsy Shop. Just send me a message.
    Gina

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  6. I love the naughty cherubs!

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  7. Your photography.. angels and angles. ;) I love the turquoise found in so many of your beautiful images.

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  8. What a beautiful city! The architecture is amazing and I love the blue/green :)

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  9. Fantastic post Merisi! Love your naughty angels, the beautiful building and the turquoise color with the white -- stunning! And your photos are superb as always! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

    Sylvia

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  10. Strange angels! I have to look at the one whom Carol speaks!
    Beautiful verdigris, such a rich color!

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  11. Wow! I swear, one of these days, I have to get there. What beautiful verdigris colors, and against such french ultramarine skies!

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  12. Merisa, that building is gorgeous. I wonder if it is Cartier as in the jeweler.

    I love the horseman on top of the building and also the lovely color combination of the verdigris windows on the soft creme colored building. Very charming.
    Sam

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  13. Yes, Sam, it is Cartier, the French jeweler!

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  14. Naughty angels...what a thought. The sculpture must have had a sense of humor to put that up on the magnificient building. Amzing work. I wonder how many people actually notice the detail?
    I do appreciate all the glimpses you give me of your wonderful City.
    Thanks Merisi.

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  15. I love those great heroic statues. We have some cool ones in New Orleans.

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  16. A quadruple delight - the verdigris, the curved windowpanes, the naughty little angels, and another wandering star!!

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