Skulls at Staglieno

Take part to another visit to the Staglieno Cemetery: Since i've got still plenty of pictures that you've yet to see i thought i'll start with some of the pictures that show you some of the strongest symbols cemeteries provide: Skulls.

The last days of winter

Last week i visited some cemeteries in Bad Salzuflen and -even the snow is long gone- it felt like winter. It was chilling to the bone because of an eastern draught which reminded me of this:

"You left the east wind to me," said Gimli, "but i will say naught of it."

"That is as it should be," said Aragorn. "In Minas Tirith they endure the East Wind, but they do not ask for its tidings."

(The Two Towers, Book 3: The departure of Boromir)

It was quite hard to endure it, but i managed it barely. Here are the results:

Bad Salzuflen, Germany

I was there quite early in the morning and was lucky because the sun vanished around noon in a grey mist.

The Cemetery itself is -from the landscape's point of view- very beautiful: It's on a side of a hill and has plenty of old trees which makes a -especially in hours like these- quite eerie atmosphere. Unfortunatly there was not a single grave that deserved special attention. Dreary headstones and dull crosses. No beauty is to be found there. The most interesting thing i photographed was this cross, and that is just barely interesting. It's definetly not a thing of beauty.

Bad Salzuflen, Germany

After leaving a bit disappointed i treated myself with the third visit of the cemetery in Herford. 

Herford, Germany

Herford, Germany

Herford, Germany

Herford, Germany

Herford, Germany

A few days later however i found a small cemtery in the suburbs of Bad Salzuflen and i was surprised to find angels! That is such a rare thing here in my county and i never would have thought that this is possible on a such a small cemetery here. 

Bad Salzuflen-Schötmar, Germany

Bad Salzuflen-Schötmar, Germany

Bad Salzuflen-Schötmar, Germany

Bad Salzuflen-Schötmar, Germany

Bad Salzuflen-Schötmar, Germany

Bad Salzuflen-Schötmar, Germany

The art of sensual statues in cemeteries: The male statues

Last week my favourite blog had the topic of sensual statues in cemeteries. And though the entry was excellent as ever i've decided to show some males statues that are quite sensual, too.

Ed mentioned in his blog that these statues are extremly rare and he has a point. A good benchmark is for example my database: Since today i've got 2.936 photos in it and statistics show that only 73 male angels and 210 male statues are part of it. On the other hand it shows that i've got 736 female angels and 1.111 female statues containing the database. Still, that's only a hint because i didn't distinguish between sensual and non-sensual statues. And, what's more: Jesus is not in the forementioned statistic: He alone has got 136 entries....

Anyway, to find those sensual male statues i made a roundtrip (a virtual one) through Europe again. My first stop was in Budapest. The white Angel (which is not only an angel in my view: It has an demonic aura to me) is a very good example for my definition of a sensual statue: It has less clothing than necessary! Why should someone mourn for the dead with just a small loincloth around? It does not make any sense but that's the definition of arts for you: Art should not make sense. It should move the beholder.

Budapest, Kerepesi Cemetery

Budapest, Kerepesi Cemetery

Budapest, Kerepesi Cemetery

Budapest, Kerepesi Cemetery

Next station is the staglieno Cemetery, Genoa. Of course the male angels were the minority here as well, but still we found them: The first two examples show some teenish boys. Both sitting with a more or less relaxed expression on a tomb. And both are -at least i believe- some kind of "lucky charm" because their feet are frequently touched by the visitors.

Staglieno Cemetery, Genoa

Staglieno Cemetery, Genoa

The following male angels were found at the irregular section of the Staglieno Cemetery: They are outside so naturally they are exposed to the weather which gives them a slight decayish look...

Staglieno Cemetery, Genoa

Staglieno Cemetery, Genoa

Staglieno Cemetery, Genoa

The last male angel i'd like to show you is part of a couple, also displayed at the staglieno:

Staglieno Cemetery, Genoa

That's all for now regarding angels.

When it comes to "normal" male statues the journey will be even longer. Let's begin with Hannover, Germany:

Hannover, Engesohde Cemetery

Hannover, Engesohde Cemetery

Next station is Budapest:

Budapest, Kerepesi Cemetery

Budapest, Kerepesi Cemetery

Budapest, Kerepesi Cemetery

Budapest, Kerepesi Cemetery

The next one is a bit of a laugh. It was taken in the western section of the Highgate Cemetery, London (being the part of the cemetery where you can stroll around without being bothered; the western part is guided only, very expensive and quite a rush through it... Still it's worth the visit...). I found this one in a dense part of the cemetery where you almost feel that you are lost in a forest with the occasional tombstone lying around....

It is only about 10 inches high so it really doesn't count. I'm fairly sure i won't find it again.

London, Highgate Cemetery

When it comes to sensual male statues though there is no way around my favourite one shot in Milano, Cimitero Monumentale. See for yourself:

Cimitero Monumentale, Milano

The same Cemetery:

Cimitero Monumentale, Milano

The last ones show a tomb at the irregular section at Staglieono, Genoa:

Staglieno Cemetery, Genoa

Staglieno Cemetery, Genoa

At the end of my rather long post i hope that i've made a point: Yes, it is rare to see sensual male Statues at cemeteries. But it is definetly possible. I'm fairly sure that in this case the cemeteries just reflect the world outside. 

One thing though: This week i had the 2.000th visitor on my blog: Thank you all for visiting (and revisiting) me here. 

Cemetery La Spezia

The third cemetery i've visited during my stay in Italy was the cemetery in La Spezia.

It's a beautiful cemetery and (compared to Staglieno in Genoa or Monumentale in Milano) rather small. The center of the cemetery is a hill with the huge chapel on top and around the hill there are hundreds and hundreds of tombs, graves and sculptures.

It has however some extraordinary beautiful sculptures to offer:

This is a nice B/W picture that captured the moment of mourning quite convincing.

This angel is one of my favorites though. It is, however, quite similar to the ones you'll find on cemteries in England. She is certanly a  beauty but  in an angelic way rather than a female way. And the wings are stunning.

 Here's another example of a well crafted image of grief.

This last image for today shows the occasional artifical flower that can be found on numerous graves there. This particular one lay on a gravel path between the pines.

My first post this year that isn't about cemeteries...

...but still it has to do with the dead. At least in some way or another

I'd like to steer your attention to a quite interesting thing i've come across here in my hometown: We here in Bad Oeynhausen (particulary the Evangelical Parish Church that is responsible for the Church of Ressurection) have a Cross of Nails:

I'm quite proud of the fact that my hometown has one of them. The message behind it is well worth it.