Thursday 3 April 2014

Le dragon et la mouette

The dragon and the seagull. This is the dragon basin at the edge of the palace gardens, which we owe to the Marsy brothers. It depicts one of the episodes of the legend of Apollo: the Python snake killed by an arrow shot by the young Apollo. The reptile is surrounded by dolphins and Cupids armed with bows and arrows riding on swans.

Au bassin du dragon, œuvre des frères Marsy : le serpent Python, qui fut tué d’une flèche par le jeune Apollon. Le reptile est entouré de dauphins et d’Amours armés d’arcs et de flèches, montés sur des cygnes.Toutes les références mythologiques se trouvent par ici.





27 comments:

William Kendall said...

That sculpture work is spectacular, Ciel!

Sylvia K said...

Oh, it is indeed spectacular!! Beautiful captures, Ciel!!

Jack said...

The seagull sure puts the grand statuary in its place, doesn't it?

In 25 years, do you think there will be anyone who understands classical tales like this?

Randy said...

A fearless pigeon. I love it.

Sunnybrook Farm said...

I like the shot with the bird, it really works.

Michelle said...

A stunning statue, but I love the pigeon on top!

William Kendall said...

I now find myself wondering what the bird thinks of it all.

Bob Crowe said...

I like the gull's lack of respect. It shows some revolutionary spirit.

Stuart said...

Your timing and framing are impeccable !

Babzy.B said...

bel ensemble :)

Anonymous said...

Seagulls have no respect for anyone or anything!

Bergson said...

les mouettes n'ont plus peur de rien

La troisième photo est magnifique

Tanya Breese said...

i love the bird sitting there all nonchalant! wonderful sculptures!

EG CameraGirl said...

Ah, the gull shows so little respect for the sculpture. ;))

Lowell said...

Kudos to you for this great post. The dragon is magnificent and it certainly looks ferocious! The seagull seems unaware of that, though. Perhaps it's just gullible?

Wonderful photos, Ciel.

Hilda said...

Perfect timing!

Fantastic sculptures and a beautiful pool! Is the dragon a fountain, too?

PerthDailyPhoto said...

Sometimes I think seagulls think statues, whether they be simple or magnificent as here, were made just for them to view the world going by :)

VP said...

Gulls keep trying to improve our sculpture and, once in a while, they succeed!

Sharon said...

If that seagull slips he's going straight into the dragon's mouth. Beautiful fountain and the bottom photo makes such a beautiful scene.

Wayne said...

Normally, I find gulls to be annoying scavengers, but this one is different.

Anonymous said...

A lovely scene!

~Lindy

Halcyon said...

I love this one! The first shot with the seagull and the dragon is hilarious. I almost laughed out loud. :)

RedPat said...

Wonderful shots! I particularly like the cupids riding on swans. ;-)

Small City Scenes said...

Amazing!---love the brave Seagull. MB

Dina said...

That gull should be afraid, very afraid.

Karl said...

Spectacular!

Unknown said...

So beautiful! Love the detail shot on top. Seagulls in Versailles???