A Tiger in a Roman Villa

Villa Romana del Casale near Piazza Armerina, Sicily ~

April 28, 2004

Please click the photo to enlarge

Here a tiger strides through one of the rooms in the Villa Romana del Casale. Visitors tread on raised walkways under the watchful eye of a guide. All of the floors were covered in a thin layer of mud on the day we visited, so I imagine the colors of all of the mosaics are actually brighter than you see here. I've also posted a few photos of this Roman ruin on my Tapirgal's Daily Image blog.

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Another Elephant Sculpture at the Zoo in Tucson

Tucson, Arizona ~ December 26, 2004

Reid Park Zoo

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Elephant Sculpture at Reid Park Zoo

Tucson, Arizona ~ December 26, 2004

Reid Park Zoo

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Southern White Rhino Sculpture at Reid Park Zoo, Tucson

Tucson, Arizona ~ December 26, 2004

Reid Park Zoo

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Birds and Beasts at Monreale

Monreale, Sicily, Italy ~ April 29, 2004

Monreale Cathedral Cloisters

Click the image and click again for full detail.

I seem to be having "Monreale Day" here in Tapirgal's blog world. Please visit two more blogs for more of marvelous Monreale. You can also follow this link to see other posts about Monreale on Animal Art Along the Way.

. Tapirgal's Daily Image

. On the Pavement

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Allegorical Bridled Fish

Paris ~ May 7, 2004

Notre Dame Cathedral

(I believe this was outside near the main doors.)

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Ancient-looking Beasts in Modern Pompeii

Pompeii, Italy ~ April 18, 2004

This was the floor in a hotel lobby where we stayed. The black thing is nothing more than a rubber mat to keep people from slipping in the rainy weather. Of course, now I wish I'd gone down and removed it before taking the photo, but you know how it is - you've been walking all day, you're exhausted, and one more step seems like one step too many. *Snap!*

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A Pig in Ravello

Ravello, Italy ~ April 21, 2004

This little pig poking its nose and trotters out of the wall of an arcaded walkway in Ravello has to be one of the most unexpected discoveries of animals art that I can remember. Just when you think the architecture is looking sedate and refined, here comes a surprise. Oink.

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Frog and Shoe

Naples, Italy ~ April 18, 2004

Naples National Archaeological Museum

It would be nice if I had recorded any information about this stone frog and what culture produced it, but I didn't. As I so often say, I will have to go back.

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A Salmon in Tacoma - Imagine That!

Tacoma, Washington ~ May 22, 2004

If I remember correctly, this was right outside a very good sushi place, although I don't think there was any connection.

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Byzantine Lion of Ravello

Ravello, Italy ~ April 22, 2004

Byzantine Lions (1272) hold up one of the mosaic-decorated pulpits in this remarkable church on the Piazza Vescovado.

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Wings, Horns, Antlers, Hooves

Tacoma, Washington ~ May 23, 2004

Tacoma Art Museum

Unfortunately, I didn't take a photo of the sign explaining who, what, when. I only captured the sign that said not to touch. What a necessary pity - I'll bet it feels amazing.

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Dreams of Soaring

Paris ~ May 6, 2004

Louvre Museum

See Weekend Reflections from around the world.

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Man-eating Monster, Ravello

Ravello, Italy ~ April 22, 2004

Here is a remarkable piece of Byzantine mosaic on a pulpit inside the church on the Piazza Vescovado, the main square of Ravello. The church was built in the 11th Century and renovated in 1786. Follow this link to see previous posts featuring this church.

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Beast Holding a Lintel

Paris ~ May 5, 2004

The Cluny Museum

A beast of some date and description bites hard on this lintel from a past age in the Cluny Museum in Paris. I wish I had photographed the placard, but I didn't, so I can't give the age or background of the piece. I believe the wall is from Roman times, or maybe part Roman and part Medieval. The building itself is fascinating, having begun as a Roman bath and evolved through history, being used in the Middle Ages as an abbey, and now as a remarkably fine and unusual museum.

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And Who is That?

Tacoma, Washington ~ May 22, 2004

The Seymour Conservatory,

Wright Park Arboretum

This stone crocodile could catch one unaware. Be watchful for teeth lurking in the Conservatory garden!

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Mudpuppy and Octopus

Tacoma, Washington ~ May 21, 2004

By Dale Chihuly on the Bridge of Glass

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Dragon and Birds: Turquoise and Gold

Ravello, Italy ~ April 22, 2004

This surprising and beautiful pulpit is inside this church on the main piazza of Ravello. You can see other images from inside the church here.

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Sinister-looking Birds

Tacoma, Washington ~ May 21, 2004

Museum of Glass

Even though the colors are stunning, this this piece of leaded glass is NOT something I'd want to take home. As if these evil birds weren't enough, take a look at the human. I didn't note down the name of the artist or the name of the piece. Maybe it's from an allegory or fairytale. That might explain something. Oooooooh. Creepy.

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Bedded Down

Near Bend, Oregon ~ May 27, 2004
Outside of the High Desert Museum

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