How It Works

Posted by MadScientist (Düsseldorf, Germany) on 21 March 2008 in Art & Design.

Good Friday - let's get to the essence of things and gain insight. This image shows you the nave of Sant'Ignazio in Rome. Let's ignore the burnt out window above the center but look at the ceiling. You can easily recognize the enlightenment of Ignazio on Andrea Pozzo's trompe l'œil fresco that we have seen entirely a few weeks before and in details yesterday. Given the fact that, standing at the right position, you have the perfect illusion of a celestial scenery that naturally extends to heaven from the physical structure of the church, one can't but appreciate Pozzo's great work. The rather plain architecture of the nave that is massively benefiting from the fresco is also notable.

That's not the only surprise this church has to offer.

Comments (10)

Michael Skorulski from Cigel, Slovakia

Excellent image and fine explanation of the effect.

21 Mar 2008 1:38am

@Michael Skorulski: I had to do some processing here, the sun was directly coming through that window and lots of details were disappearing. I think I'll buy that software I was telling about weeks ago :)

MaryB from Staffordshire, United Kingdom

I can see it now, what a talent the artist had, to create something as wonderful as this. Thank you for the explanation too, it is most interesting.
A great shot MS.

21 Mar 2008 2:59am

@MaryB: Sadly, this type of illusionist art largely disappeared. I know a shopping arcade in Cologne where a similar effect has been used (with a much simpler scenery and a much smaller ceiling), but maybe this kind of art is just drawing too much attention from the common passer-by. That's a pity because it's an elegant way to make even small rooms big.

Kaddy from Mumbai, India

Nice shot... Good Friday!!!

21 Mar 2008 9:26am

@Kaddy: Thanks a lot, Kaddy!

Twelvebit from Victoria, United States

I should probably have posted a topical image like this --well, not like this exactly, as I don't have access to any kind of Cathedral-- but I'm just not very good at sufficiently anticipating a theme and producing something relevant. Like this past Christmas --I got a few good shots, but Christmas was over by the time I had them processed. Maybe I should start reserving any thematic images I take now for use next year.

21 Mar 2008 11:31am

@Twelvebit: Posting a church image today was the easiest solution for me, but it also could have been something completely different. Today is also Purim and yesterday many people celebrated Newroz - so posting an image with jolly people would have been fine :) So come up with your Christmas pics... :-)

Ina from Krugersdorp, South Africa

Magnificent and biiiig! Well captured :)

21 Mar 2008 11:47am

@Ina: Not that big, but quite big :-) We haven't visited St. Peter's yet!

JoeB from Brampton, Canada

What a wonderful work of art, I'm just wondering how long it took him to paint.

21 Mar 2008 4:50pm

@JoeB: 9 years!

tetsu from Tokyo, Japan

Beautiful!!! :-)

22 Mar 2008 12:05am

@tetsu: Thanks! Did you see them all?

Japanalia from Yokohama, Japan

I think the plain architecture of the cathedral was meant to have this piece of jewelry! A richer architectural style would have left the ceiling unnoticed and it would have been a pity! The work is extraordinary!

22 Mar 2008 6:14am

@Japanalia: Yes, it is :-) Il Gesù gives you both: its architecture is much richer. Photos will come...