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Moses vs Colosseum

Moses vs Colosseum

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alexander stefanatos


Premium (Pro), thessaloniki

Moses vs Colosseum

Rome
Church of San Pietro in Vincoli

In the heart of Rome, just five minutes walk from the widely advertized and daily flooded with turists Colosseum, rests in absolute peace and, judging from the scanty visitors, underestimated in their list of interests, the old and historic church of San Pietro in Vincoli built by the emperor Valentinianus in the mid 5th century. Amazingly, the church is more widely known, as it's name indicates, from housing the chain that bount St Peter when he was imprisoned in Gerusalem(Liberation of St Peter) and are kept in a reliquary under the altar in the Basilica.
Yet, the real and priceless treasure that this historic church posesses is a majestic and gigantic composition to the right side facing the altar, with Michelangelo's sculptured gigantic figure of Moses in the middle, a masterpiece considered by many unequalled by any ancient or modern work and commissioned by Pope Julius II to decorate his tomb. His massive beard and the two horns on his head give him an inhuman and demonic aspect.
Usually the church is empty and this may be considered a bliss thus offering ample chance to admire this piece of supreme art and culture.
But, on commercial level, in the battle Moses vs Colosseum, the latter is the winner!...

Comments 5

  • s. sabine krause 11/02/2015 16:51

    fascinating stuff!! should one of my roads ever lead to rome ; ), i'll make sure i'll be visiting this gem of a church! here's to the old daredevil michelangelo! always good for a colossal ; ) surprise!! his horned moses does look like a blend of ancient gods: pan/dionysos and poseidon mixed together, a couple of nameless fauns, satyrs and tritons thrown in, et voilà… and WOW, the mere athleticism of those arms! need to get a closer look… see you at "moses with horns" in a minute… ; )
  • Harold Thompson 11/02/2015 9:53

    Good view point to show the relief of the statues in detail
    :-)) Harold
  • Sue Thompson 11/02/2015 9:07

    This whole thing is a magnificent work of art, and one wonders just how long it took to sculpt it all.
    A superb picture with great details.

    :))
  • Adele D. Oliver 11/02/2015 4:54

    a very fine capture with all the details so sharp
    and the statues looking so alive .... such remarkable
    architecture, and so well shown in this light and
    natural colours !!!
    greetings, Adele
  • adriana lissandrini 10/02/2015 23:08

    a shooting of great quality for sharpness in the endless details and for the three-dimensionality of the statues, excellent contrast and light and shadow, compliments Alexander, very well done!
    caro saluto Adriana

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Camera NIKON D700
Lens 24.0-70.0 mm f/2.8
Aperture 2.8
Exposure time 0.3
Focus length 24.0 mm
ISO 200