Sunday, September 4, 2011

Mosaic Monday: Palace of Fine Arts


I have some more photos from San Francisco for you today. (Told you I had a lot!)


Patterned on an eighteenth-century engraving by Giovanni Piranesi entitled The Isle of the Dead, the Palace of Fine Arts was designed by Bernard Maybeck for the Panama-Pacific Exposition in 1915. Originally one of many fantasy monuments, the neoclassical-style Palace was the centerpiece of the Exposition.

The dome of the rotunda is surrounded by a classical frieze and an octagonal arcade. There is also an open peristyle of Corinthian columns, flanked by a beautifully landscaped lagoon.

Because it was built as part of the Exposition, the Palace was not intended to last. However, the city of San Francisco developed such a love for the monument that it was preserved. It required a large amount of upkeep, and by the 1950's it became obvious that the original construction would not last. A group of influential San Franciscans, including former Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger, banded together to collect donations for reconstruction of the Palace, which began in 1964. Today, the Palace of Fine Arts remains as a beautiful attraction for tourists and San Franciscans alike.

Now let's have some mosaic fun! Here are the instructions:
1. Publish your Mosaic Monday post. The post may be about any subject you wish. The only stipulation is that it include a collage, or mosaic of photos.
2. Once it is published, click on the title of the post. This will lead you to the static link for your post. The static link is the page with only that post on it. Copy the url from your browser at the top of the page.
3. Paste the url into the appropriate inlinkz box in this post.
4. Type your name in the appropriate inlinkz box in this post.
5. Click on "Enter."
6. Please link back to this Mosaic Monday post so that your readers can find other wonderful mosaics.
That's all there is to it! It's always a good idea to then check and see if your link is working. If you have any questions, feel free to email me: mrcarroll(at)optonline

And a quick reminder: if you would like to join Mosaic Monday but don't know quite where to start, there is a tutorial on mosaic-making on my sidebar. Just scroll down, and click on the small blue mosaic.

42 comments:

  1. How incredible! You have wonderful photos of a very unique place! Happy Monday and thank you! ♥

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  2. Hi Mary,

    Wow what an amazing place. Your photography is so lovely too. Have a lovely evening.

    I thought I would create a celebration of the wonderful mosaic artist, Penny from Lavender Hill Studios for today's Mosaic Monday.
    Karen

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  3. Oh my Mary...you found some beautiful architecture in San Francisco. Gorgeous photos!

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  4. Beautiful pictures Mary! You really captured a feeling in these shots...just lovely.

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  5. Gorgeous photos Mary. The architecture of the building is stunning.

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  6. The architecture is so grand, Mary. It's interesting what you wrote about the building not being intended to last and how it was reconstructed.

    Have a wonderful week.
    -Karen

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  7. Isn't it just the most beautiful part? Have grand memories of visiting there when we live in SF. Thanks for the memories!! Cathy

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  8. What great photos...so clear and real. Thanks for hosting. I really appreciate it!

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  9. Your pictures are stunning. I've seen this and it truly is incredible. Thanks for the tour again. Hugs, Marty

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  10. Hi Mary!! Oh, what beautiful mosaics and a gorgeous place!
    I haven't mosaiced with you in some time but am playing today.
    I do hope you have a wonderful Labor Day.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  11. Fantastic architecture, thanks for sharing Mary.
    Judith

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  12. It is a beautiful monument, I'm happy that it was preserved. The school bus in the background of the last shot brings memories of field trips to San Francisco!

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  13. How lovely! Until now, I've never seen or heard of this piece of architecture. It is amazing and has a pretty wonderful history. I'm so glad that it was preserved for I can certainly see how San Franciscans fell in love with it.

    (I'm hoping to return to participatin in Mosaic Monday once or twice a month in another month or so. I have missed it!)

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  14. Beautiful mosaic of wonderful architecture!

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  15. Wow, I've never heard of this wonderful palace. It is beautiful - thanks for sharing.

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  16. Such beautiful architecture and your photographs are amazing! I've never heard of this and am so glad you shared!

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  17. Hi Mary,
    Seeing all of your San Fran pics have brought back such wonderful memories for me. We have vacationed there three times and have visited all of these sites. I love the history of this building. It is so beautiful. Once we took our youngest daughter and two of her friends for Spring break. I can see them now running and hiding behind the pillars. They also posed so cute for many pictures. Thanks for reminding me of that fun trip!

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  18. It is a beautiful structure, and I love how it is located so close to the blue San Francisco bay!

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  19. Stunning, I've never been to SF, very interesting write up, thank you for sharing with us.

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  20. What a wonderful place! Thanks for sharing! Enjoy your week,
    Markus

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  21. A beautiful piece of architecture. And I've been meaning to tell you how much I enjoy Eva Cassidy's rendition of 'What a wonderful world'. That was alive concert most likely in Malaysia, because hse thanked the audience in Malay.
    Rosie

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  22. what an amazing place. So beautiful. And wonderful that money was donated to have it preserved. Thanks for taking us there.
    And thanks again for the opportunity to contribute to Mosaic Monday - so we can trip around the world in one day!
    Have a wonderful week.

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  23. What an interesting place to visit, I am enjoying your San Francisco photos. Happy to be joining Mosaic Monday once again and will be visiting as many other participants as I can.

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  24. Wonderful photos from this special place. Great !

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  25. How stunning Mary. Your pics are wonderful. The columns and those urns are maginificent, and how about that ceiling?! A beautiful place and I love love the colours as well!

    Veronica

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  26. Amazing architecture and wonderful photos. V

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  27. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. I'd be happy to carry your bags should you return to SF!!!! :D :D

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  28. Mary you must have enjoyed your visit to San Francisco. Thanks for sharing the wonderful places you visited with us. I love tagging along!

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  29. Mary, if you hadn't made note that these photos were taken in San Francisco, I would have thought they were taken in Europe! Beautiful!

    http://shirley-agardenerslife.blogspot.com

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  30. Such a beautiful site - and how fortunate that a few people acknowledged is worthiness to be saved.

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  31. Simply lovely. This is a city I have always wanted to see!

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  32. Its really beautiful.. What an amazing trip you are having in SF.

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  33. Beautiful pics of the San Fran area. It is one of my favorites places in US to visit. You should by paid by the Tourist Association for your beautiful layout.
    I am a new follower and I placed your button on my sidebar to remind me of your party. I am going to learn the mosaic thingie. I made one once but lost the tutorial. I will using yours. Thanks for sharing. Ginger

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  34. Wow! What an incredible place. Your photos are wonderful! Kit

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  35. Welcome, Ginger. I will look forward to seeing you soon at Mosaic Monday!

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  36. So nice! I hope I don'T forget to come up next Monday!


    Salut!
    Franka

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  37. This is such a wonderful structure and location – LOVE your photos, Mary, especially the details! Hope you are having a great week. xoxo – g

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  38. It is wonderful to see San Francisco through your photographer's artistic eye!

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  39. I enjoyed your information on the Palace, as well as the visual images of it!

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  40. I'm a bit late seeing this post. Gorgeous photos of the Palace of Fine Arts. Never been to San Fran myself. However, I find Bernard Maybeck's architecture fascinating, especially his houses. They are very innovative while looking back to the past (though not ornate or neoclassical like the Palace, but more organic and Arts and Crafts in feeling). Unfortunately, many were lost in the Berkeley fire of 1923. There are a couple of good books about his work worth browsing if you can find in the library. You can also google photos of his houses to get a sampling. His houses are wonderful and eccentric, and this bohemian artist's work still influences designers today, though he did not enjoy great success in his lifetime.

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Thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment. I love to hear what you have to say!