Madonna and Children Photo

Photographer’s Note

The Hermitage has almost 3 million pieces of art, but only two of them are by Leonardo. His two paintings, both of the Madonna and Child, are easy to find, however; just look for a crowd of people. (And this is the slack season, too!) Eventually, I was able to wait out the crowds and get to study and take pictures of the paintings, but it wasn't easy.

Here is a group of school kids studying (or not studying) one of the madonnas. I also like this shot because it shows off some of the ornate aspects of the Hermitage, which was once the Winter Palace of the Romanov tsars.

Technical: Darkening of the midtone levels, slight cropping.

Uhu, cyim has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

cyim (481) 2008-03-08 11:49

Very nice picture. Good illustration of the interior of the museum. The group of visitors adds dynamic to the picture, which I like. Excellent use of natural lighting. Bet you love your VR lens that allow you to take this picture with existing light (without a tripod I presume).

batalay (20948) 2008-03-11 4:29

Hello Dan,

My favorite shot among the excellent images in your gallery. The "Benois Madonna" a minor masterpiece by Leonardo, is tucked away in an unobtrusive corner in the great museum. Anywhere else, they might have built an entire building for a Leonardo. As soon as I make a little room among my favorites, this will be "hung properly."

Warm regards, Dan. Thanks for submitting this shot.

Bulent