Early in the morning a year ago today, I had to go to the Museo Nacional de Arte Antiga.It was a Thursday, very quiet, very warm and that clear blue sky overhead.
After I had seen the Bosch and taken its photo undisturbed, I went to the magnificent garden, one more of Lisbon's masterpieces. If you appreciate gardens and the jacarandá trees in full bloom as much as I do, during these few weeks from the end of May, then go see them in this garden. They are the very best, because of the whole location.
Anyway, I got some breakfast and sat down. In front of me was a woman deeply into reading her 'Público'.
I just had to take this photo, a reader, 'Inimigo Público' one day early because of the feriado next day and the statue on the verge of furtively taking a peak over her shoulder, under the shade of a huge jacarandá tree.
I'm adding this one because it's a work of art that I smuggled out of the museum. However, here's the clincher: my female visitors are extremely unlikely to ever see this drawing, let alone know about it. Why not? Because I found it on the inside door of the Men's WC!!! Fernando Pessoa?
Lastly (shame only 3 pictures allowed),
the Museum garden boasts some of the best of the comparatively rare yellow hibiscus.I have on one of my walls a framed passepartout with five macro enlarged prints of Lisbon hibiscus, each in a different colour. This freshly watered beauty is one of them.
Go see them, besides the man-made art works, before they fade away. But make sure it's morning and the sun is bright in a pure blue sky.
8 comments:
Probably the best set of pictures you've already post in libon looks. Wonderfull, mainly the firt one!!! Briliant composition!
Why, thank you! But why? It's so hard to judge it objectively. My themes vary so much. Is it subject, or structure?
Mainly subject, ok structure too for its variety, but mainly subjects, compositions, colors, very good!
Hi S.T.
I agree with Portelini about the composition of the first photo. It's great.
But, I've one question: how much you earn for making publicity for Luso and Buondi? :P
Aaaaaah, quem me dera! Not to mention Lipton's and Sporting's Bingo Club (see entry below, Come on the......Bingo??). It's hard work, I can tell you. But then, again, I don't know whether I'm waiting for a payment or a law-suit (Save me, Portelini!!!)Now, it's time for ENGER-LAND to shred the Para-Guys; COME ON the BIFEES!!............ Meeting Monday re. Torre de B contest, you two?
Portelini talked with me about the meeting. I'm going with him to that meeting to discuss the T. B. contest!!! :)
Não acredito que exista árvore mais bonita do que o Jacarandá! Ainda hoje enquanto esperava o autocarro junto ao Marquês de Pombal observava os Jacarandás em flor contra um céu cinzento carregado de trovoada e senti uma sensação tão forte que rapidamente alarguei o meu campo de visão para diluir o impacto cromatico com a percepção conjunta da vegetação verdejante lá longe. É uma árvore maravilhosa. Exótica e bizarra mas simultaneamente tão natural. Em suma uma dádiva aos nossos sentidos.
J. Ildefonso.
My good 'Anonymous' friend João,
Thanks for coming. Yes, it's hard to describe briefly the effect that these trees have had on me, particularly over the past 3 years since I started to look at just about everything in a new way with my cameras. Looking more deeply, seeing even more, experiencing it all much more, and more conscious of the time of day, month, year. Consequnetly, I named these few brief, maybe best weeks of the year "The time of Jacarandá". Waiting for them to flower, in my favourite places, like Dom Carlos 1, looking down from the junction with Calçada de Estrela, on a weekend early morning with no traffic; Museo de Arte Antiga & around, such a perfect symbiosis;Rua Barata Salgeiro and Castilho; and the place which was the first, because I used to work opposite in Fontes Pereira de Melo, high up opposite the park, with a perfect view of it all unfolding over in Pque Edº VII. And because it is such a brief few weeks, it is like a miracle. Like my commentator, Ana wrote on another post, it could bring tears of bliss to your eyes. Heaven right here on Earth.
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