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St. Getreu, Bamberg: Cupola

Posted by MadScientist (Düsseldorf, Germany) on 22 January 2010 in Art & Design and Portfolio.

Painter's identity not handed down; it depicts both apocalyptic and trinitarian ideas. In the crest the eye of God with the four cardinal virtues; above the choir gallery we find Fides, the incarnation of faith, below the Holy Spirit and surrounded by four latin church fathers (Ambrose of Milan, Augustine of Hippo, Jerome of Stridonium, Gregory the Great). In the centre you can see the adoration of the apocalyptic lamb by angels (inner circle), saints and justs (outer circle). Apostles in the eastern part are confronted with the just men of the Covenant in the western part of the cupola, while saints of religious orders (north) face holy martyrs (south). The four evangelists reside in the spandrels.

Michael from Shell Village, United Kingdom

A very beautiful and colourful painting, it's a good shot MS.

Revelations: Nineteenth-century agnostic Robert G. Ingersoll branded Revelation "the insanest of all books".[70] Thomas Jefferson omitted it along with most of the Biblical canon, from the Jefferson Bible, and wrote that at one time, he considered it as "merely the ravings of a maniac, no more worthy nor capable of explanation than the incoherences of our own nightly dreams." [71] Martin Luther changed his perspective on Revelation over time. In the preface to the German translation of Revelation that he composed in 1522, he said that he did not consider the book prophetic or apostolic, since "Christ is neither taught nor known in it."

There are many views and interpretations of the Bible - Old Testament; The Vaticans version, and the Scientific version. Not one person can actually show me proof of God, yet archaeologists can present tangible proof of ancient catastrophic man-made events, proof of advanced civilizations.

22 Jan 2010 12:52pm

@Michael: Dont blame me: blame them! Send all complaints to this institution, they are responsible. :-)

António Pires from Lisbon, Portugal

It seems that the colours are faithfully rendered in your image. Good work.

22 Jan 2010 5:15pm

@António Pires: A bit more contrast to enhace the details.

Céline from New York City, United States

Superb !

22 Jan 2010 5:38pm

@Céline: Fortunately there was enough light!

B.Held from Santa Fe, United States

exquisitely beautiful.

22 Jan 2010 5:39pm

@B.Held: Thank you! Glad you like it!

Peter from Amsterdam, Netherlands

WOW!

22 Jan 2010 5:53pm

@Peter: Cheers, Peter!

MARIANA from Waterloo, Canada

this image looks like a hundred stories connected into one :)) Wonderful !

22 Jan 2010 6:19pm

@MARIANA: And this one is still quite modest. Bavaria has churches that just make you gasp.

Twelvebit from Victoria, United States

Like a starburst.

22 Jan 2010 9:31pm

@Twelvebit: What I like most is that there is no Baroque ceiling looking like another.

Ted from South Wales, United Kingdom

great image MS...I'm intrigued at the age of the depiction as its bold, almost cartoon like quality reminds me of Hergé and I say that without being disrespectful?

22 Jan 2010 10:53pm

@Ted: Why not? Perhaps the artist wasn't educated like the great masters, but for a small church he did an appropriate and decent job.

Philip from South Wales, United Kingdom

That's some ceiling. Well done. Great shot. The colours look very true to life. I'm constantly impressed by your Canon's rendition of colours (and of course your skill as a photographer).

22 Jan 2010 11:58pm

@Philip: Many thanks, but I had to enhance contrast a bit, to make it a bit more intense. The shot itself is quite easy. :-)

Sandi Halverstadt from Leadville CO, United States

Absolutely beautiful. Thanks for the close up. WOW!

23 Jan 2010 1:48am

@Sandi Halverstadt: Glad you like it, Sandi!

Christine Walsh from Astoria, NY, United States

Amen to Michael above. Gotta watch out for the apocalyptic lamb - it will seek up on you if you don't watch it. The colors are wonderful and I like that the circle is at the top instead of just in the center (something I would probably have done). What spot did you focus on?

23 Jan 2010 1:52am

@Christine Walsh: All complaints this institution, please.
Usually I'm placing the camera on the floor and I'm using my remote shutter, but that was not possible here due to the gate in front of the altar. I don't remember which focus point I've set, but it's possible that it was just the centre; well observed!

Japanalia from Yokohama, Japan

A most interesting depiction here...what I wonder is.....was this fresco refreshed or renewed? It looks so new!The colours are so much alive!

23 Jan 2010 5:51am

@Japanalia: The latest renovation was from 1987 - 2003, so everything in this church looks very fresh. But in this special case I enhanced the contrast a bit. :-)

Evelyne Dubos from Le Mans, France

A beautiful rendering (colors, details, light) for this fantastic painting work !!

23 Jan 2010 12:11pm

@Evelyne Dubos: Thanks, Evelyne! Much appreciated!

Steven from Chicagoland, United States

Great job on capturing the entire cupola. Beautiful colors and details can be seen in this painting.

23 Jan 2010 5:33pm

@Steven: It's very well restored, and colours come out very clearly in the choir's bright light.