#stone sculptures

[calabria-mediterranea]

Church of Piedigrotta

Pizzo, Calabria, Italy

This church carved into the rocks is full of enchanting stone statues.

When walking down the concrete stairway leading to the beach, you’ll be struck by the incredible views of the sea. But what’s waiting at the end of this trail is even more incredible.

The Chiesetta di Piedigrotta awaits you, its dark air tinged with a with salty and humid scent. Light filtering in from above cascades down to sculptures covered in patches of moss. It’s an almost eerie atmosphere, one that beckons you to inquire about the unusual church’s origins.

Legend tells of a vessel caught in a violent storm during the 17th century. The captain and his crew did everything they could to steer it, but with no luck. All they could do was gather below deck and pray before a painting of the Virgin of Piedigrotta. The sailors promised that if she saved their lives, they would build a church in her honor. A few hours later, the ship sank, but the crew made it safely to a beach near Pizzo.

Next to them was a bell and the painting of the Virgin they had prayed to, which they interpreted as a sign they had to keep their promise. They placed the painting in a small cave dug into the tufa.

In the 19th century, Angelo Barone, a local shopkeeper, devoted himself to the cave and built a larger church there. He carved stone figures representing Christ and the saints into the stones. He Know Before You Go

You can reach Pizzo Calabro by train, but you have to order a taxi in advance to get both to the town (a five-minute drive) and the church (a 10-minute drive from the train station). The easiest way to reach Pizzo Calabro and the Chiesetta di Piedigrotta is by car. Park in the lot marked "Parcheggio Piedigrotta" then walk down the concrete stairway until you reach the church. There's a small admission fee. The church is closed during poor weather. Check the hours on the official website since the place isn't always open, especially in the low season.worked there all of his life, and when he died, his son took over. Then the statues remained at the mercy of time and vandals.

In the 1960s, Giorgio Barone, a descendant of Angelo Barone, visited the area. He was so struck by the then-deteriorated church that he decided to restore it. He also added new sculptures, including a bas-relief of Pope John XXIII in front of John Kennedy.

Know Before You Go

You can reach Pizzo Calabro by train, but you have to order a taxi in advance to get both to the town (a five-minute drive) and the church (a 10-minute drive from the train station). The easiest way to reach Pizzo Calabro and the Chiesetta di Piedigrotta is by car. Park in the lot marked "Parcheggio Piedigrotta" then walk down the concrete stairway until you reach the church. There's a small admission fee. The church is closed during poor weather. Check the hours on the official website since the place isn't always open, especially in the low season.

Photos by Napitia Club

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[allegorypaintings]

Allegory of Painting

Artist: Attributed to Charles Lucy (English, 1692 - after 1768)

Date: 1760

Medium: Oil on canvas

Collection: National Trust Collections, United Kingdom

Description

Three figures in an artist studio. A young male figure is standing, wearing a white and red smock draped in green. He is looking towards a seated young female figure and has his right arm around her shoulders. She is wearing a white and gold dress and is draped in blue. Her hair is tied up in a braid with stones. She is looking towards the male. In her left hand she is holding a paint pallet and she has a paint brush in her right hand. A putti or cherub is seated at her feet reclining on stone sculptures (a bust and a stone foot). He is holding a paintbrush and a tablet. The young man has a paintbrush in his left hand as if working on the painting of a young lady that sits on an easel to his left side. In the background is an elaborate stone carving.

[obsidianandblacksatin]

Exploring Ancient Sculptures & Global Connections

📸✨ The Olmec Colossal Heads of ancient Mesoamerica are among the most iconic and mysterious artifacts from the ancient world. Carved between 1400 and 400 BCE, these majestic stone heads showcase the artistry and ingenuity of the Olmec civilization, often hailed as the “mother culture” of Mesoamerica.

🌍 What's fascinating is the striking resemblance some believe these heads bear to Indigenous South African men. This resemblance stirs curiosity and wonder about ancient connections and influences across continents.

🔹 Fun Fact: Each Colossal Head, which can weigh up to 40 tons, is thought to represent individual Olmec rulers.

🔹 Intriguing Insight: While no concrete evidence suggests direct contact between the Olmecs and Africans, the similarities fuel the imagination and highlight the diverse beauty of human features across different cultures.

Let’s dive deeper into history and the wonders of ancient civilizations! 🌏

[trees-and-flowers-and-buildings]

翠玉白菜肉形石，清朝（1636年至1912年）

國立故宮博物院，台北市，台灣

[brittmikkelsen]

Still Life II. Kimberly stone , resin and acrylics. 2022

[mgenchanted]

Cemetery mausoleums

[movetothelouvre-former]

Fragmentary portraits of Egyptian Pharaohs from the Louvre's collection.

[vaernim]

"Amanti" marble 2019

[beyourselfchulanmaria]

Artist Kanayi Kunhiraman

Ph. by Bijoy Mohan

Enormous seashell sculpture at Akkulam, Thiruvananthapuram, India

[miamaimania]

"Pierre philosophale" (2013) by Les frères Chapuisat - A stone sculpture humorously juxtaposes a cigarette within a rock's slit, blending natural form with human artifact.

[boop-daily]

Just two stone men supporting each other

[paranormal-playground-podcast]

The Mystery of the Stone Spheres of Costa Rica

The stone spheres of Costa Rica, enigmatic relics of a bygone era, have captivated archaeologists and historians for decades. These perfectly spherical stones, scattered across the Diquís Delta region, are a testament to the ingenuity and craftsmanship of the ancient people who created them. But their exact purpose and meaning remain shrouded in mystery, fueling speculation and wonder about the…

[theeyeballwoman]

Michael Quane at Solomon Fine Art

Last night, I attended the opening of Michael Quane's exhibition 'Belonging' at Solomon Fine Art, Balfe Street, Dublin 2 D02 T802. This event was packed. I had plenty of people to talk to. Michael had carved his sculptures in limestone and marble. His figurative pieces were full character and life. I loved his Nabresino Head Study carved from Nabresina- light limestone due to its simplicity and clean lines. To my eye, it appeared monumental and would suit being carved to a much larger scale. Other artworks that I liked included 'Taurus Bouyancy' and 'indigenous', both carved from Bordiglio marble, due to their smooth finish, rounded shapes and warm grey colour. I was fascinated to learn from Michael that some areas of a stone block are harder than others. One has to adapt to this variation of hardness in stone as one carves it. Michael's exhibition will run until 19th Oct 2024. It was well worth going.

Eyeballs 👀

[indiatrendzs]

An Altar is a Physical Manifestation Of Your Inner Spirituality

An immense sense of calmness takes over you as you step into your beautifully crafted meditation room, designed to create a sanctuary for your mind, body, and spirit. Perhaps it’s the gentle fragrance of sandalwood incense lingering in the air, mingling with the soft glow of candlelight, that deepens your sense of tranquility. Maybe it’s the smiling Buddha statue or the carved wall sculptures of…

[yousadclownofaman]

Avocado pit carving has taken over my life, ft some jewelry I’ve been cooking up over the past couple weeks! Making lots of critters. Will definitely be selling stuff like these in the future so feel free to inquire!

[fmstonecarving]

New to Tumblr, going to start dumping some of the stone carving that I've done here.

This big slate carving is based on a design from the Book of Kells, all hand carved with hammer and chisels.