Wednesday, January 11, 2017

Church of Sainte-Geneviève

Jacques-Germain Soufflot
designed a beautiful church.
The Church of Sainte-Geneviève,
also known as the
Paris Panthéon,
has transformed itself like a
Madonna persona change.

In 1758
construction started.
Before the last brick was laid
the government took over.
Then it changed its mind.
The French did not sell.
They used it as a temple
under Napoleon (the) I
and buried heroes.
Aux grands homes la pat-
rie reconnaissante.

Then it became Catholic
under King Louis Philippe.
Napoleon (the) III said,
"Continue the church."

Nondenominational
was Sainte-Geneviève's next phase.

Next it was a physics lab.
Jean-Bernard Foucault
proved the world is spinning 'round
by hanging a pendulum
from the domed ceiling.
The world truns clockwise.

Marie Curie died.
Her ashes were scattered there.

Jacques-Germain Soufflot
designed a beautiful church.

Tuesday, January 10, 2017

Neoclassical architecture and sculpture in France

Architectural influences
Seventeenth-century France
defies Italian Baroque,
says 'yes' to classical style.

Ancient Chinese art

The Middle Kingdom in China
'Qin' becomes 'China,' 
proclaimed the center of the world.
Port cities gleam but
Yellow River brings sorrow.
Yet, Nomads join anyway.

Friday, January 6, 2017

Pagodas

Watchtowers converge
(w/) pagodas stone and wooden.
What a handsome pair.

Work consulted: 
Stokstad, Marilyn. Art History. 1995. New York: revised ed., Harry N. Abrams, Inc., and Prentice Hall, Inc., 1999.