Saturday, August 8, 2009

William Penn and his Pigeons

Friday I spent the day in Philadelphia and Saturday I spent the day in Manhattan mostly in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This picture was taken Friday in Philadelphia's Penn Treaty park. This is the top part of a statue of William Penn the founder of Pennsylvania.
I'm still going through a black & white phase so Voila.
Now I would like to give some information about the sculpture in the middle picture of my previous post.
It's called "Social Consciousness" and it was created in 1954 by Jacob Epstein . It's located near the back door of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
His works can also be found in England, France and other places.

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35 comments:

Anonymous said...

Boy you captured this just at the right time :) Excellent and thanks for the explanation on the previous post. I loved that one :)

VP said...

This is very good, but I selfishly hope you revert soon to your beautiful color images.
I have seen some works of Epstein in London and mostly liked them, his tomb of Oscar Wilde in Paris is really ugly.

cieldequimper said...

Thanks for the explanation. "Social consciousness" is disturbing but real.
This b&w shot of Monsieur Penn is wonderful! I love the pilgrim style hair and hat. I'm not too sure about the pigeons and their damage though! Oh, and I'm jealous of you for having been to the Met. ;-) It's been too long since my last visit.

Leora said...

Excellent - looks good in black and white. I like how this is a trio - bird sits, bird flies, man looks.

Thanks for introduction to Jacob Epstein from your previous post. Reminds me of George Segal's sculpture.

Martha said...

I'm loving your B&W phase.... keep them coming! I'm thinking about the art museum today, but I doubt that Tara will want to go!

Hilda said...

Beautiful monochrome!
Birds do love statues' heads. It's not as if they don't have a great view when they're flying!

Lowell said...

I can just imagine William Penn's friends now: "Penn is full of pigeon poop! Penn is full of pigeon poop!"

I didn't know that b&w was a phase, James! ;-) I think it's something that good photographers like yourself just do when the mood hits and the scene is right.

And this scene qualifies. Very well-composed...not seeing his face makes it mysterious but the birds contradict that, making it more like a theatrical farce (that's a good thing!)...

Have a nice day!

Bim said...

Great moment - love this monochrome!

Chin said...

Beautiful! I love this monochrome.

Dagrun said...

Wow, that is a great shot! You managed to get it really sharp too.

And the second shot (from the social Consciousness serie) is really something.

Julie said...

What a perfect shot.

John said...

Great tones, good timing and love the sky detail.

Regina said...

I like the sky. Great shot!

Malyss said...

Thank you for all the informations, about this one and the last picture;Pigeons( and other birds..) don't respect anything,even great men, but they often allow photographers to do funny or impressive shots!

annalarssonphotography said...

Impressive shot James!
Great tones, good timing and a the sky...
Beautiful shot!

Have a nice week!
Anna

Ebie said...

This is my main blog.
James, you always have very interesting photos! I love them! The pic looks well with the monocrome!

Ms. Fiddlesticks said...

I love it.

Anne said...

A funny, but very nice and pretty picture :-)

Anonymous said...

Great vision on so many levels - your sky is gorgeous - the monument / it would have never occurred to me it is Penn's head/ - like a rock - the birds in flight - fantastic!
About the "social consciousness" - it is so scary - I am afraid the artist has his own consciousness problems :)

Anonymous said...

An excellent picture, very well timed.

B i r g i t t a said...

Like it :) Good shot - balance in everything - the sky is perfect - Super!

Charlotte - FO² said...

Beautiful picture, an excellent shot :)

Anonymous said...

I have to agree, perfect shot the light, angle and the birds.....

crocrodyl said...

Wow! This shot is perfect! Excellent and very interesting capture!

Anonymous said...

Dear James! I would like to pass to you an award - you can pick it up at my blog. I enjoy your work and your blog!

Rune Eide said...

There is that something special about birds and statues...

Lois said...

Perfect timing on this shot!

Anonymous said...

James, I love the pigeon in flight! It seems like he is giving you a dirty look! LOL!

Ice said...

Superb piece James! The pigeons and in black and white are just awesome :o)

Anonymous said...

Brilliant! I love it! The clouds look awesome!

xoxoxoxox
Donna Marie

Daryl said...

Wonderful .. the perfect moment and angle!

Anonymous said...

it is a pleasure to scroll down your blogs. You know how to capture the spirit of a place.

storyteller said...

Marvelous shot in monochrome! Love the perspective and the sky too ;--)
Mine's up at Small Reflections.
Hugs and blessings,

Sistertex said...

Nice catch, beautiful sky, almost looks painted in. Lovely.

maryt/theteach said...

Great shot James! Haw clever to shoot just his head and shoulders so you could get the close-up of the pidgeons... Mine is going up today. :)