Temple of Diana, Nîmes, France
For those of us who love to imagine the scenes, smells and sounds of life in the ancient world, Nîmes is particularly evocative. The city center boasts one of the best preserved ancient Roman temples anywhere, the Maison carrée, and the best preserved Roman amphitheater in France. Less well known and farther afield is the so-called Temple of Diana. Nestled in the edge of a grand civic park, Jardins de la Fontaine, and landscaped with redbuds and pine trees, the ruined structure, possibly a library, strikes a less complete but more picturesque note. For instance, of a great hall, only half survives consisting of one full interior elevation and a large portion of the barrel vaulted roof. It is astonishing that the portion of unsupported roof can yet stand. The fact that one side elevation of the temple is complete while the other is absent offers a unique expansive view of what would have been a much more sequestered space.
When I visited I composed a rigidly symmetrical view of this revealed interior elevation. Fortunately, a child, inspired by the odd space and the newly puddled water from a recent downpour, launched himself before my camera and offered a spirited counterpoint to all the ancient solemnity.
PRINTS: Archival pigment on 100% cotton rag paper with a white border. More about prints. Frame and matte not included.
8” x 10” print: image size is 5-3/4” x 8-3/8” with ≈ 3/4” white border
11” x 14” print: image size is 8-1/4” x 12” with ≈ 1” white border
16” x 20” print: image size is 12” x 17-1/2” with ≈ 1-1/4” white border
For those of us who love to imagine the scenes, smells and sounds of life in the ancient world, Nîmes is particularly evocative. The city center boasts one of the best preserved ancient Roman temples anywhere, the Maison carrée, and the best preserved Roman amphitheater in France. Less well known and farther afield is the so-called Temple of Diana. Nestled in the edge of a grand civic park, Jardins de la Fontaine, and landscaped with redbuds and pine trees, the ruined structure, possibly a library, strikes a less complete but more picturesque note. For instance, of a great hall, only half survives consisting of one full interior elevation and a large portion of the barrel vaulted roof. It is astonishing that the portion of unsupported roof can yet stand. The fact that one side elevation of the temple is complete while the other is absent offers a unique expansive view of what would have been a much more sequestered space.
When I visited I composed a rigidly symmetrical view of this revealed interior elevation. Fortunately, a child, inspired by the odd space and the newly puddled water from a recent downpour, launched himself before my camera and offered a spirited counterpoint to all the ancient solemnity.
PRINTS: Archival pigment on 100% cotton rag paper with a white border. More about prints. Frame and matte not included.
8” x 10” print: image size is 5-3/4” x 8-3/8” with ≈ 3/4” white border
11” x 14” print: image size is 8-1/4” x 12” with ≈ 1” white border
16” x 20” print: image size is 12” x 17-1/2” with ≈ 1-1/4” white border
For those of us who love to imagine the scenes, smells and sounds of life in the ancient world, Nîmes is particularly evocative. The city center boasts one of the best preserved ancient Roman temples anywhere, the Maison carrée, and the best preserved Roman amphitheater in France. Less well known and farther afield is the so-called Temple of Diana. Nestled in the edge of a grand civic park, Jardins de la Fontaine, and landscaped with redbuds and pine trees, the ruined structure, possibly a library, strikes a less complete but more picturesque note. For instance, of a great hall, only half survives consisting of one full interior elevation and a large portion of the barrel vaulted roof. It is astonishing that the portion of unsupported roof can yet stand. The fact that one side elevation of the temple is complete while the other is absent offers a unique expansive view of what would have been a much more sequestered space.
When I visited I composed a rigidly symmetrical view of this revealed interior elevation. Fortunately, a child, inspired by the odd space and the newly puddled water from a recent downpour, launched himself before my camera and offered a spirited counterpoint to all the ancient solemnity.
PRINTS: Archival pigment on 100% cotton rag paper with a white border. More about prints. Frame and matte not included.
8” x 10” print: image size is 5-3/4” x 8-3/8” with ≈ 3/4” white border
11” x 14” print: image size is 8-1/4” x 12” with ≈ 1” white border
16” x 20” print: image size is 12” x 17-1/2” with ≈ 1-1/4” white border