Monday, May 16, 2011

Decay (XXXII)


Staircase at the Oeiras Palace gardens (18th century)

28 comments:

Sharon said...

Such gorgeous tilework needs some loving attention.

Leif Hagen said...

I guess tiles don't last forever! Sorry to see the decay at that magnificent palace!

Sylvia K said...

It could indeed use some tender, loving care! Such a beautiful place and it seems so sad that it's not being cared for! But I guess that's true of a lot of things these days! Superb capture as always!

Sylvia

cieldequimper said...

This is the worst kind of decay...

VP said...

This is even more sad, how can they let this happen?

Anonymous said...

I like decay in certain situations but this is heart-breaking.

EG CameraGirl said...

How sad that it's not being maintained.

Judy said...

I hope it will not decay anymore than it already is. Such lovely work!

Carolina Louback said...

Os azulejos portugueses são conhecidos no mundo inteiro, pena que neste sítio estão mal conservados.

Jack said...

This is disappointing, JM. Hard financial times like these make it very difficult to justify the spending needed to restore works like this at a time when many people are jobless.

Lois said...

It is sad, but still pretty I think.

joo said...

Even in this state of decay they are still gorgeous!

Lowell said...

What a shame that something this beautiful and historic is allowed to waste away!

Joan Elizabeth said...

The blue and white tiles are so delicate. If places like this are demolished is it possible to rescue and reuse the tiles?

Birdman said...

Love that blue design.

Unknown said...

@Joan Elizabeth: It's not the case of this palace but the truth is some buildings remain 'abandoned' for such a long time that entire panels are robbed before restoration even starts. It's a shame! The (gorgeous) Tile Museum is full of rescued pieces but you can find lots of tiles from different centuries in antique shops for sale (I have some but they are just Art Nouveau, not really old). The antique illegal trading is a major problem here.

tapirgal said...

I love your decay series, and what great material you have here!

brattcat said...

I wouldn't change a tile.

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

All of this is so sad. Usually I can find some beauty in your "decay" posts, but this one is different. The grandeur of these tiles in their original condition would be magnificent. To see them like this and to read about the theft of antiquities... quel dommage.

Bises,
Genie

Maude Lynn said...

That is just stunning!

T. Becque said...

I thought we were due for another decay photo from you :) This was is a beauty too.

Bob Crowe said...

Well, not so bad, given its age and outdoor location. I sometimes wonder why in these old images the man is dressed as a gentleman and the woman, at best, has a sheet.

Randy said...

So lovely!

PerthDailyPhoto said...

Even in it's desolate state, it still has an air of elegance to it! It looks a bit Delft style.

Cezar and Léia said...

os azulejos são belissimos, pena que nao estão sendo bem cuidados!
Léia

Dina said...

Maybe stealing the tiles is one way of rescuing them before they are destroyed by time? Very interesting, your comment.

Sérgio Pontes said...

Tenho de lá passar um dia destes

Oakland Daily Photo said...

If not restored the loss of glaze will just hurry the further deterioration of the tiles. So sad.