Swan and StarsSwarovsky swan and starry reflections
from the streetlights
Kärntner Strasse
Kärntner Strassebefore dawn,
illuminated by streetlights
on a bitter coldJanuary morning
At Graben -square or street, who knows -
unlit chandeliers are swaying
high above a few lost souls
on their way to work
A Graben chandelier,remainder of Christmas past
St. Stephen's Cathedralrises into the still dark sky,
but soon, a cold winter sun will rise,
and the last blue starwill take refuge where it can
+
Photographed
around 6am on
12 January 2010:
May it be noted
that I thought it would be fun
to visit a coffee house
just before dawn break.
Alas, none to be found.
I had to go home and
brew a pot of tea
to warm my frozen bones!
Images
© 2010 by Merisi
VERY cold looking, enhanced by the crystal like lights and decor..
ReplyDeletesaz x
what beautiful photos.....
ReplyDeleteI must ask, what type of camera do you use?
It looks so peaceful!!
oh, the lighting is spectacular! The price to pay for wonderful shots!
ReplyDeleteOne word comes to mind: Magical!
ReplyDeleteEthereal pre-dawn shots, Merisi. Just stunning. It was worth the venture, even if you didn't find any coffee!
ReplyDeleteYour dawn-pure stars and swans lift the heart. Thank you, Merisi!
ReplyDeletePure delight! You make my Monday bright!!
ReplyDelete(I swear I wasn't trying to rhyme ;-)
Many things for venturing out in the early hours. The pictures are wonderful! And I love that last fallen star.
ReplyDeleteWow, gorgeous how those lights show up. They're as icy as the temps, but lovely as snow.
ReplyDeleteYour cold morning produced such stunning photographic results, it must have made the cold hands worthwhile!
ReplyDeleteGreat pics, though what are you doing wandering the streets before dawn!!!
ReplyDeleteWell, Andre,
ReplyDeleteI was on my way home! ;-)
What did you think?
beautiful. peaceful. so deserted...
ReplyDeleteso magical !
ReplyDeletecan't have enough of the gorgeous Viennese architecture...
thank you !
Als Tipp:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.cafedrechsler.at
Dienstag - Samstag
von 3 Uhr früh bis 2 Uhr nachts,
Sonntag
von 3 Uhr früh bis 12 Uhr nachts
Frühstückskarte!
Legendär: Die Gulaschsuppe im Drechsler nach einer durchtanzten Ballnacht.
Trau dich und ziehe deine Kreise auch außerhalb des Demels. ;-)
Merisi, thanks for remembering : ) Wien is wonderful
ReplyDeleteWOW Glorious pictures Merisi
ReplyDeleteThey may the cold morning look divine!
I love the sparkle and magic in these...that first swan shot was a good capture! How unfortunate not to find a coffeeshop open at that frigid hour...I hope your cup of tea was some consolation! My mother is an early morning person and sees the pre-dawn hours every day. It must be interesting to inhabit the world when everyone else is asleep.
ReplyDeletei so adore those elaborate christmas decorations over the street...they are fabulous.
ReplyDeletea pot of tea sounds good right now.
Oh WOW WOW WOW !!
ReplyDeleteI have never seen the Graben so still and quiet, yet these pictures are pregnant with atmosphere and energy.
Merisi, thanks for taking your camera on this wonderful early morning walk. Sorry you were not rewarded with a piping hot Pharisaer or Fiaker kaffee as a treat.
I remember my walk in the same area before dawn, many months ago. It was summer, warm and light then though :-)
ReplyDeleteYou are an adventuresome soul Merisi. Gorgeous crystal photos and a frigid morning. I have thoughts like that too but then I turn over and snuggle down in my blankets again and wish early morning could begin later.
ReplyDeleteWhat a cold cold morning ..but stunning photos. I love the photo of St. Stephen's Cathedral.
ReplyDeleteI just took note of the time you took these photos...no wonder you could not find a coffee shop open..it would of been good though.
I guess you were there for the dawn chorus?
ReplyDeleteLovely pictures anyway!
Another superb sequence. I love the swan.
ReplyDeleteThank you all so very much for your comments!
ReplyDeleteI have said it before, but it is so true: I truly appreciate that you take the time and leave these precious thoughts of yours for me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
I was at the opening of the VERMEER EXHIBITION at the Museum of Art History tonight. A unique way to introduce a single painting to not only experts, but the interested public! I highly recommend this exhibition not only to adults, but also to parents of young school-age children. A wonderfully insightful way to introduce children to the world of art. I loved it and shall go back there, possibly in the early morning, to take it all in!
Here the first paragraphs of the introduction to the exhibition:
Vermeer. The Art of Painting.
Analysis of a Masterpiece
Curated by Dr. Sabine Pénot and Mag. Elke Oberthaler
Our exhibition focuses on a single painting.
Vermeer kept “The Art of Painting” in his studio as a show-piece for potential buyers, and it is regarded as his artistic legacy. There was probably no commission for this large masterpiece, and it never left Vermeer’s studio during his lifetime. Even after his death his widow tried to avoid having to sell it, despite her pronounced financial difficulties.
For the first time, the painting was now the subject of a comprehensive technological and conservation study. Like a crime-scene analysis, the exhibition studies Vermeer’s use of pigments and binding media, and his technique. We also examine the much-discussed question of whether Vermeer used perspective drawings and/or optical instruments (e.g. a camera obscura) to construct his painting.
Continue reading here:
http://www.khm.at/en/khm/ausstellungen/kommende-sonderausstellungen/vermeer-die-malkunst/
Good night from Vienna,
Merisi
Lovely Merisi.
ReplyDeleteFor Christmas I gave Marta Girl With a Pearl Earring (in a Norwegian translation). Her first "adult" book. She is reading every night now, almost finished it, and told me tonight that she loves at and that last night it kept her awake till way past midnight.
A reader seem to be born :-)
Fantastic, a true fantasy... and to think of you there...drinking it in. Better than coffee.
ReplyDeleteoh you poor thing. At least you excellent photos out of it.
ReplyDeleteGorious elements of crystal on a cold morning.
ReplyDeleteBritt-Arnhild,
ReplyDeletecongratulations of having brought up an enthusiastic reader! :-)
LDahl,
there is something about that early morning mood ... ;-)
Cathy,
I was there of my own choosing,
curious about seeing the town at that hour! ;-)
Barbara Martin,
your words describe beautifully what I experienced, thank you! :-)
These pictures are all masterpieces! I don't know anyone else with an eye like yours Merisi.You create the most spectacular magical mages that in lesser hands would be, well, less.
ReplyDeleteI think this series is my favourite of all. Thank you for your early, coffeeless venture out for our immense pleasure. Annie XXX