Atlas Balancing the Globe, a photo from Naples, Campania

Photographer's Note

A recent cruise took us from Athens to Barcelona. Normally, a frequent point of visit on such a trajectory is Sorrento, a jumping off port for Pompeii, Herculaneum, Capri and the Amalfi Coast. On this occasion, the seas were too rough to anchor off the coast, and to tender into Sorrento. Accordingly, the ship's captain decided to dock across the Bay in Naples. This gave us a chance to visit the National Museum of Archaeology in Naples. I had seen those other sites many times in the past, and this time I had the opportunity to see the National Museum. I thought it was spectacular. The three ancient cities — Pompeii, Herculaneum and Stabia — were victims of the famous eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in AD 79. Archaeological relics, including some of the finest frescoes, excavated at those sites, are all on permanent view at the museum. The Farnese collection of colossal Roman statuary is also on permanent exhibition.

On this occasion, there was an ongoing special exhibition at the museum, a celebration of 18th and 19th-century artists' renditions of the Classical World. I found out only after I took this photo with my new iPhone 6 Plus that photography was not allowed in the special exhibition. And, as I sat on a bench steadying my iPhone, I had not planned to include the man seen in profile on the left. But, I am glad the man wandered into the scene, and I am glad I captured this impressive scene — featuring good light, excellent colours, satisfactory depth-of-field, and symbolically timely. I will upload this image into the group theme Pictures at an Exhibition II.

Seen here is a magnificently carved 18th-century marble statue of "Atlas Balancing the Globe." It's an immense load, but symbolically timely. I wish the present world leaders could rise to the occasion and hold up a fast sinking world!

pajaran, ikeharel, holmertz, Suppiluliuma, jhm, mayjayne, Royaldevon, mcmtanyel, mirosu ha contrassegnato questa nota come utile

Critiques | Translate

pajaran (114971) 2015-10-19 7:29

Dobar dan.
Interesantan i dobar tekst ...
Lepo pokazano, dobra ostrina i kontrast, lepo uhvacen trenutak sa posetiocem.
Lepa skulptura i slika u pozadini.
Lepo popodne i sve najbolje u novoj nedelji koja je pocela, srecno.
Paja.

Good day.
Interesting and good text ...
Nice demonstrated, good sharpness and contrast nicely captured the moment with a visitor.
Beautiful sculptures and paintings in the background.
Nice afternoon and all the best for the new week which began, good luck.
Paja.

snunney (130967) 2015-10-19 7:33

Hello Bulent,
The well managed lighting results in a tantalising moody composition. The foreground sculpture in partial silhouette sits well against the illuminated picture in the background and is nicely complemented by the man making his unexpected appearance, like the spectre at the feast.

ikeharel (112475) 2015-10-19 8:47

Ha ha... Bulent, now I can understand the imbalance of our world... My humor only, a marvelous indoor's the museum picture, carved marble outlines and the background display are most attractive elements on photo.
Good evening,
Ike

holmertz (102042) 2015-10-19 9:08

Hello Bülent,
I thought that you had cropped very tightly to the left but I understand the reason after reading your note. Although the man almost had his head cut off, his gaze is what really makes this picture. Thanks to him this photo easily meets my - and your - conditions of interaction between art and onlooker. There are some interesting items in the background too, as a bonus.
Kind regards,
Gert

mesutilgim (0) 2015-10-19 12:23

Hello dear Bülent,
Another topclass capture in your gallery with perfect pov and light management.
Again many good and usefull notes .
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

ChrisJ (171280) 2015-10-19 15:23

Hello Bulent

Isn't this museum spectacular? It's worth visiting Naples for this alone. I have many unloaded shots from this place. Including this view of Atlas. Also some of the Pompeii exhibits which never left Italy for the exhibition in Australia which I went and saw. And if you look up at the ceiling there are spectacular frescoes, and the Galleria Umberto is just across the street! Tfs!

CLODO (45116) 2015-10-19 23:38

hello Bulent

so you don't follow the rule and take pictures in the forbidden areas. The link between the tourist and the statue is evident, and this is the way I visit museum or exhibitions, looking for some interactions
Cheers
CLODO

jhm (211734) 2015-10-20 5:11

Hello Bulent,

Thank you very much for your interesting note.
This is real an art picture with a painting and statue.
Perfect depth and perspective are very well done.
A wonderful composition, lovely presentation.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John

mayjayne (7204) 2015-10-20 5:33

Dear Bulent,

An interesting sculpture - thanks for the interesting note to go with it. The museum sounds like it is not to be missed...

TFS,
May

Royaldevon (85638) 2015-10-20 8:21

Hello Bulent,

Like you, I have seen Sorrento and the sites of the eruption but not Naples! There is obviously much to see there!
I love how you have connected the face of the visitor with the demonstration of immense strength, by Atlas. There is a sense of disbelief! Amazement! Maybe, even envy! It's just so good! We see these moments but rarely capture them on camera!
I, also, like how the globe connects with the curve of the balcony. I think I might have cropped the very top of the frame so that the curved, beige area takes on the appearance of a large planet or moon.

My warm regards,
Bev :-)

mcmtanyel (67709) 2015-10-27 19:53

Selamlar Bülent Bey,
This is a great photo considering it was taken with a phone camera. Sharpness and light management are quite well. I first had the knee-jerk reaction of thinking "I would have cropped out the person on the left," but on second thought, his facial expression is amusing.
Regards,
MT

mirosu (16313) 2015-11-02 22:33

Hello Bulent,
Excellent, well composed interior photo with many nice details. I like the inclusion of the painting in BG and the viewers face.
Well done.
Greetings
Miro

jmdias (114318) 2015-12-13 11:15

bulent
nice image of this exhibition of pieces of art. I liked these details of the sculpture and the painting ahead, the expression of the man is nice here too.

hugs

jorge