Virgin as Street Art Photo

Photographer’s Note

This street artist was recreating a detail from Leonardo da Vinci’s "The Virgin and Child with St. Anne" which Leonardo painted on wood in the early 1500's. The original is in the Louvre, and is now five hundred years old; this rough copy, even though it was rendered on brick, disappeared with the first rain.

Another TrekEarth enthusiast knows the original very well, I imagine. Bulent Atalay (batalay), is, among many other things, the author of a book titled, "Math and the Mona Lisa". My understanding of the book’s subject is the association of art and science, with Leonardo (the best example) as a framework for discussion.

We photographers work with this association every time we hold a camera. We use leading edge technology, to the finest degree of accuracy, in order to awe, amuse, educate, persuade, and abstract our societies. The sciences of optics, chemistry, and electronics are wielded to create unique works of art and potent expressions of perspective.

Returning from some holiday travels, I received my copy of “Math and the Mona Lisa”, and I am looking forward to reading it, with anticipation.

Thank you, Bulent.

batalay, delic, jenner, scobert has marked this note useful

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PJE (19501) 2006-12-31 22:47

Well Good Evening Andrew. A pleasure to see the artist at work here in Victoria. I love this low angled perspective, and the links about Bulent and his book seem very compelling to read. So when you are finished reading the book "Math and the Mona Lisa" I am sure you will be convinced that buying a DSLR from the Canon camp will make perfect sense. Mathematically and Scientifically Canon Is the Best!!!

All the best Andrew in the New Year for you!!!

Cheers Paul

thea0211 (1355) 2007-01-02 18:06

hi, andrew
no ... as you see if you look at your own photo ... this artist's work didn't dissapear with the first rain :) ... because you kept it alive!

i didn't notice the 'thank you' note and the plastic bowl only later because i was way too busy looking at what he is doing and how he is doing it ... but i'm sure he'd deserve so much more - maybe exactly because his work can dissapear so quickly and he is perfectly aware of that but he's still doing it!

you captured a very good moment, thanks for sharing!
dora

... so you're the lucky owner of bulent's book :) ... i'm looking forward to read it, too

may 2007 be perfect for you!

jenner (4) 2007-01-02 22:41 [Comment]

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batalay (21193) 2007-03-07 10:24

Hello Andrew,

My first impression in coming across this photo was, "Poor sidewalk artist, working on his hands and knees in the numbing cold of Vancouver. Then before reading your note, I started framing in my mind the statement, "Wonderful composition -- including the creation of the artist, along with the artist himself. Next, I realized what the painting depicted, a Leonardo masterpiece, and my heart skipped a beat. Finally, I read the message, surprised and immensely flattered. I wish I could give it fifty bright green smileys. Did I say "fifty?" I meant five hundred!

You are as gracious as was my hero and friend the late Sir Rudolf Peierls, Head of the Department of Theoretical Physics at Oxford — your grandfather. I very much look forward to meeting you in person.

With my deep gratitude,

Bulent (Atalay)

Corny (1645) 2007-04-17 2:25