Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Vasco da Gama's Tomb


Jeronimus Monastery, Lisbon
Vasco da Gama was one of the most successful Portuguese explorers and the commander of the first ships to sail directly from Europe to India (1497), one of the most remarkable voyages of the Age of Discoveries


My contribution to Julie's Taphophile Tragics, "a warm touch upon cold hard stone"

37 comments:

brattcat said...

an excellent contribution, jm.

Olivier said...

j'aime bien l'angle que tu as choisi pour la premiere photo, tres bon ;)

Julie said...

I also like the angle you have chosen for the first photo, Jose. I burst out with joy when I saw the cupped hands between the soles of his shoes!!

A gorgeously elaborate crypt for VdG. Puts me in mind of some of the crypts in The Pantheon in Paris. The Jeronimus Monastery looks like a must see should I every get myself to Lisbon.

Many thanks for this contribution to Taphophile Tragics, Jose. I value your support very much.

Dave-CostaRicaDailyPhoto.com said...

I am glad that you showed this tomb, after my recollection the other day that there is a famous tomb in this church. The courage of those who sailed long distances in those days, and the sacrifices of their crews, are amazing.

As remarkable as were the achievements of early European explorers, consider the Polynesians who set out in much smaller boats and found tiny islands thousands of miles away, with a vast ocean. How many of them did not make it?

Simon said...

The POV on that first image is fascinating and wonderful. Vasco da Gama. Nice. That detail work on his tomb-such art.

Sharon said...

What a beautiful tribute to a very remarkable man. I love the way you've photographed this.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

Loved the composition of the first shot, it made me smile to see the cupped hands through his feet. The crypt is so very elaborated decorated, very lovely to be able to see this, thanks JM.

Gine said...

Je suppose que c'est normal, pour un explorateur, d'avoir de si grands pieds ...

Kate said...

Very ornate! Love the top photo...an unusual angle!

Carolina Louback said...

Gostei do ângulo das fotos. O Mosteiro do Jeronimos é um dos meus lugares preferidos na bela Lisboa.

黄清华 Wong Ching Wah said...

Interesting pov on the first one! Still keep me thinking !

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

That is a beautiful crypt and he certainly deserved the honor! (This post made me think of grade school when we studied the explorers and I learned for the first time where Portugal is and dreamed about how brave those explorers were.)

Sylvia K said...

This is fantastic, JM! What awesome captures of a beautiful tomb! I love your composition in the first shot -- in spite of it being a tomb, it made me smile -- I do love how you can see his folded hands between his feet. Terrific! Have a great evening!

Sylvia

Rob Siemann said...

Wonder what his shoe size was...

Francisca said...

Ah, what a brilliant contribution to TT. Glad you're along for the ride on this one, JM. Like Sallie, I learned about VdG in high school and have ever since admired the Portuguese for their explorer mindset.

Jack said...

Two wonderful photographs, JM. The details are staggering.

RedPat said...

Wonderful shots JM!

joo said...

Superb photos, especially the first one!

cieldequimper said...

I just cannot get enough of these recumbent statues/tombs. It is gorgeous JM.

Art said...

I love These images!

Lois said...

That first shot is a little unnerving!

Halcyon said...

That's very fancy!

jennyfreckles said...

I remember learning about him at school. Wonderful photos - love the angle of the first one, nicely 'different'.

Bergson said...

superbe tombe, et un beau coup d"œil sur la première

Joan Elizabeth said...

Vasco Da Gama ... I remember having to draw maps of his voyages when I was a kid a school. It is great to see he has such a wonderful tomb and so creatively photographed.

theconstantwalker said...

Wonderful to see... many thanks for sharing.

Lowell said...

My, what big feet he has. All the better to traverse the world, I guess! On board ship!

He was, indeed, a worthy explorer and this is a fitting tomb memorial!

magiceye said...

brilliant perspectives!

Randy said...

What an amazing post. I love both shots!

Anonymous said...

That first shot is superb! Love the perspective and framing.

Babzy.B said...

i like the angle of the first pic , original :)

Red Nomad OZ said...

Wow! I wonder what such a reknowned explorer would think of the carved marble on which he rests?

San said...

Haha, love the angle of the first pic too. Great shot.

VP said...

A grand tomb for a great explorer!

Neil J Murphy said...

Wonderful use of perspective in the first picture.

Cezar and Léia said...

Esse monasterio é maravilhoso, respiramos cultura!A sua primeira foto está incrivel, parabéns. Belissima composiçao!
Léia

Gunn said...

Your top photo is unique!
Interesting posting.