Potsdam Outing
I'm a wee bit behind on posting... my apologies! With classes every morning, the week goes by quickly. I'm happy to say that we've finally begun our summer, weather-wise. Last weekend was actually hot. But it has stayed sunny and warm during the week. My plans tomorrow are to seek out the local Schwimmbad and do some R&R (that stands for reading and relaxing in my book).
Some photos are in order, however, from an excursion last weekend to Potsdam and the summer palaces of the Prussian royalty. Above is our group of German-language students listening intently to the gentleman who served as our guide. We're standing in the Dutch quarter of Potsdam, with the typical brick facades and peaked roofs of Netherlandish architecture lining the street. As for the palaces, I enjoyed the green parks and estates surrounding them more so than the Rococo interiors =) But I have to say the yellow room with parrots in Sans-Souci won me over. It is also known as the Voltaire room after its famous philosopher inhabitant.
First, the exterior (also dominantly yellow):
We had a rather large group, too big for an effective tour of the grounds... so after seeing the Schloss Sanssouci we were on our own. I walked around with a few other new friends: Louise-Helene (in my weekly class), Ben, and Josup. We made our way to the Neue Palais where we could get tickets for an unguided tour. The palace is enormous! Like at Sanssouci, we all had to put on large felt slippers to protect the marble and wooden parquet. We skated across the well-polished floors from room to room, admiring various works of art and the many, many framed mirrors. My favorite room here was a grotto entirely covered with seashells and precious minerals/stones for its decoration. I didn't purchase permission to take photos inside, so no images here to illustrate.
It was a long day, with lots of walking. We finished off with some lovely crepes and ice cream for dessert at "La Madeleine" back in Potsdam proper. It was an expensive meal, but worth the treat. A lovely evening to finish soaking up the last rays of sun.
Some photos are in order, however, from an excursion last weekend to Potsdam and the summer palaces of the Prussian royalty. Above is our group of German-language students listening intently to the gentleman who served as our guide. We're standing in the Dutch quarter of Potsdam, with the typical brick facades and peaked roofs of Netherlandish architecture lining the street. As for the palaces, I enjoyed the green parks and estates surrounding them more so than the Rococo interiors =) But I have to say the yellow room with parrots in Sans-Souci won me over. It is also known as the Voltaire room after its famous philosopher inhabitant.
First, the exterior (also dominantly yellow):
We had a rather large group, too big for an effective tour of the grounds... so after seeing the Schloss Sanssouci we were on our own. I walked around with a few other new friends: Louise-Helene (in my weekly class), Ben, and Josup. We made our way to the Neue Palais where we could get tickets for an unguided tour. The palace is enormous! Like at Sanssouci, we all had to put on large felt slippers to protect the marble and wooden parquet. We skated across the well-polished floors from room to room, admiring various works of art and the many, many framed mirrors. My favorite room here was a grotto entirely covered with seashells and precious minerals/stones for its decoration. I didn't purchase permission to take photos inside, so no images here to illustrate.
Ben, Louise, and Josup in front of the Orangery
It was a long day, with lots of walking. We finished off with some lovely crepes and ice cream for dessert at "La Madeleine" back in Potsdam proper. It was an expensive meal, but worth the treat. A lovely evening to finish soaking up the last rays of sun.
La Madeleine - A French Creperie in Potsdam
posted by Kristine at 11:40 PM
2 Comments:
Kristine-
I don't understand why you don't love Roccoco?!? You know it is my favorite style- fat pink naked people can't be beat by anything Byzantine ;)!
But I have such fond memories of our discussions in the Wallace Collection during the London HP... I thought you loved the fat pink naked people as much as I did =)
Actually, these probably belong more to the Baroque than Rococo (i.e., Peter Paul Rubens). Rococo would be Fragonard's "The Swing." Frilly and decadent, but not so overweight and with less flesh to throw around.
Please forgive the brief stylistic lesson in Kunstgeschichte!
Post a Comment
<< Home