Stat Rosa Pristina Nomine... Photo

Photographer’s Note

Stat rosa pristina nomine, nomina nuda tenemus
(Yesterday's rose endures in its name; we hold empty names)
meaning that in this imperfect world, the only imperishable things are ideas

When I entered the Dominican Church in Maastricht I intended to take better photographs of a somewhat surrealistic parking garage for bicycles. (see my 2003 photograph in workshop). I was pleased to discover a place worth the monastic library in the "Name of the Rose" by Umberto Eco. Of course neither William of Baskerville nor Adso of Melk were there. What a symbolic place as that desecrated church for a modern bookshop (Selexyz Dominicanen) which is considered as one of the finest shops in Maastricht. Contrary to the times depicted in Eco's novel (14th century) we can now buy and read any book without fearing the Great Inquisitor, torture to confess one's crimes and execution by burning. After all printing new ideas (and forbidden everywhere else in Europe) has always been a Dutch tradition.

The stone-built Dominican church in Dominicanerplein dates from the 13th century. There are remains of wall paintings of 1337 and 1619 on the vaulting.
The construction of the church of the Dominicans started in 1267, and it must have been finished c. 1280. It was consecrated in 1294. In 1309 a chapel was added to the northside of the choir. The church is a good example of the Mosan style of Gothicism. The church must have been richly decorated once, but of this very little is left. Only a few badly aged paintings on the ceilings remind of better days.
In 1794 the French occupiers hunted the Dominicans out of the city, after which the church was used by a parish for several more years. But in 1805 the building became a warehouse, and most of the interior's works of art moved to other churches.
The building was used as an archive then as a bicycle parking. The last renovation and present transformation occurred in 2006. The paintings on the ceiling are gradually being restored.
sources :
Crossroads
Archimon
The Name of the Rose - Wikipedia

stego, batalay, belido, Dpbours has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

stego (22448) 2007-04-28 12:34

Salut Henry,
Wow, what a striking pov! Very well done indeed! And the exposure adjustment and colour balance is also something amazing for an indoor shot.
Those people that manage the church have a good imagination and are much free of prejudice. First, a bicycle garage, then a library. :-)
TFS, Amicalement, José.

Xalkida (11740) 2007-04-28 16:44

Hi

Strange place. I like the angle and the depth. The lighting is very nice and the colors fine too. Well done.

batalay (21185) 2007-05-02 10:54

Bonjour/Bonsoir Henry (I believe, you are six hours ahead of us the US East Coast),

For someone who can honestly confess to have never stepped out of a bookstore without making a purchase, this scene is near-sacred. My favorite bookstores in the United States are large privately owned bookstores that also have a coffee bar. Rarely, however, are they esconced in great architectural gems like the Dominican Church in Maastricht. I wonder if it carries my book, 'Math and the Mona Lisa.' Thanks for posting this remarkable gem, together with a superb note.

The photo is first rate, in its composition, lighting, color, and definition. The only constructive advice I can offer is in the way of a workshop. I rarely do them, but if you don't regard it as meddling, I will attempt it here. In Photoshop, I will first make a rectangle based on the widht of the column on the left at its base, and the bookcase on the right. Then I will copy and paste it back in. Then I will invoke the edit function, and select from the "transform," the "Perspective Function." I will stretch the top of the frame horizontally. (As a matter of fact I've already done this, and repeated it a second tim. It is to avoid the "tunnel effect" created by very wide angle shots.)

Amicalement, Henry!

Bulent

[workshop] [compare]

papagolf21 (56715) 2007-05-09 18:24

Bonsoir, mon ami Henry,
C'est bien la première fois que je vois une église transformée en une immense bibliothèque. La magnificence des lieux doit inciter le visiteur, le lecteur, le promeneur à ne pas faire de bruit, à contempler avec humilité la splendeur environnante.
Sujet particulièrement intéressant et innovant.
Bravo !
Amitiés.
Philippe

tabora (13640) 2007-05-18 17:21

Bonsoir Henri,
Surprenant,je vois que papagolf21 en est sur le derrière,moi de même,je ne manquerai pas d'y passer à l'occasion, en tout ca bel maitrise de la lumière,et avec cela une superbe profondeur.
Beau Travail.
A+ Joseph

belido (16807) 2007-05-23 12:01

Hi Henry,

great interior picture. Excellent POV. Nice colors and useful note. Thanks!
Regards,
Carlos

sebinho342 (18784) 2007-06-04 16:58

Bonsoir Henry, il est excellent ce post, que ce soit le titre la note mais surtout la photo ! Enorme cette église bibliothèque, les proportions sont vraiment gigantesques, et ton angle le montre parfaitement.
Le nom de la rose version moderne, j'aime beaucoup
Bravo

Dpbours (220) 2008-05-07 12:44

Hi Henry,

This is just such a wonderful conversion from church to bookstore! I especially like the coffee corner. Wonderful what they did there with the table in the shape of the cross.
The photograph is showing the place, but it doesn't really bring across the atmosphere of the place. That's a pity, since that is what this place is about - atmosphere.
Thanks for sharing. Have a look here! for a different version of the same place ;-).

Greetings! Dennis

PS: Interesting workshop!! :-)))