Thursday, September 30, 2010

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Wednesday Doorway


Everyone always wonders what's behind a doorway, well this week I can show you.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

The Ether Monument: the Good Samaritan


The monument was commissioned by Thomas Lee and commemorates the discovery ether and its use as an anesthetic in surgery performed at Massachusetts General Hospital October 16, 1846. The fountain was designed by John Quincy Adams Ward and Henry Van Brunt.

In the center of a large square fountain basin is a tall square granite base topped with a sculpture depicting a bearded man in robe and turban (the good samaritan) attending a wounded reclining male figure who appears unconscious. Around the center section of the base, there is an inscription panel on each side. The inscription panels are bordered by a decorative frieze, flanked by pairs of polished red granite columns, and topped with a small tre-foil shaped marble relief. The relief on the front depicts the performance of surgery; the relief on the right depicts an allegory of the triumph of science; the relief on the rear depicts a field hospital with a wounded soldier in the care of a surgeon; and the relief on the left depicts the Angel of Mercy descending toward a reclining figure. A water spout on each side of the base is designed as a lion head.

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Source: Smithsonian American Art Museum Inventory of American Sculpture, Control Number MA000002

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Bad Hair Day


Ever have a bad hair day? Well, I've been having a few days like that and unable to post. This fine lady was discovered on a visit to Jamaica Plain last year and discovered at Stonybrook Fine Arts.

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Of all the gin joints ...


We've just experienced one of the hottest summers on record, and the heat will not abate. How about a nice cool drink or a cold beer in dark gin joint, somewhere in the city. Me, I'll have a dark beer, please. What's your pleasure?

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Wednesday Doorway


This week's doorway is the Colonnade Hotel on Huntington Ave.
I wonder if they let the guests borrow the little cars parked out front.