Argentina, Buenos Aires, Cemeteries, Recoleta Cemetery
Unexpected treasure
I had every intention of writing about Saint George and the dragon today, this Saint George’s Day. As I entered Recoleta Cemetery this morning, I was on a mission to capture an image of the beast and his slayer. I tracked down two windows portraying the victorious scene, but neither of them provided any interesting reflections, so I decided to drop the idea.
Instead, here’s one of today’s discoveries. At a corner tomb, my eyes fell on this small round window of a porcelain-faced Bright Mary, unexpectedly close to the ground. (I take it this is Mary – I tend to refer to all of the stained-glass women who look like this as Mary, unless I learn otherwise.) Against a gloomy reflected doorway, she shines even brighter. Not even grimy shreds of cobweb can detract from her radiance.
Isn’t it true that we discover the most new amazing things when we are actually looking for something else?
She’s beautiful.
SC
Totally. But it’s sometimes hard to let go of the original idea. I rather fancied researching the tale of George and the dragon, so it wasn’t easy to abandon plan A. Glad I did, though, as I love this Mary and she needed to be shown. Can write about George another time.
A beautifully captured radiance….
I suspect though, there is an air of sadness in her face or maybe she is just tired like most other mothers!
Ali, Thanks for looking in on my blog and commenting. I hear you with your ‘mothers being tired’ comment! I think she looks wistful, too.
This is beautiful, Julie-Anne! The light and tones are perfect.
Look forward the St.George.
Thank you, Bob – I’m really chuffed you like her. Will see what I can do about Saint George!
I think that letting go of plan A can be a great thing – this photo proves it!
I have two main modes when I go to the cemetery. One is wandering and letting myself be led anywhere that calls me. That’s why it’s taken so long to re-find some of my favourite tombs. The other approach involves marching round, clutching a list of windows I want to photograph again. I guess they both work, as long as I stay flexible and alert when I’m on a mission!
Hola muy buena está foto señorita julie-anne.
Su talento es realmente muy bueno, ojala que siga así de bien. un beso
Me alegro que te guste la foto – es una de mis preferidas ahora. Gracias por tu apoyo.
The gold edging is a glimpse of a crescent moon….
So interesting you should say that. One of the guides at the cemetery recently pointed out to me that my María (the Virgin Mary) is riding on a crescent moon, which is a popular representation. I didn’t know that.
Interesting look.
One eye goes down the other looks aside.
She is in both worlds.
Interesting point. I agree she is in both worlds. That’s what I’m wanting to show in my photos – that these characters are a bridge between earthly and heavenly realms – so I’m glad that’s what you saw.