My Australian friend is at it again, sending me gorgeous photos from his world travels. This set of photos from public buildings in Vienna especially caught my attention. The Viennese know how to create a dramatic staircase!
The image at top reminds me of main hall in the Library of Congress while the red carpeted stair above is reminiscent of an Escher drawing to my mind! Seriously though, is that not the most confusing staircase you have ever seen? A lot going on there.
The flooring in the stairhall above is what mainly caught my attention here. The checkered marble, again with the red carpeting, is so striking and those brass light fixtures are really beautiful.
I'll end with yet another complicated stair, however this time the limestone tones of the marble create a very calm feeling. Four very grand stairs and yet each one so different in its' own way, proving that there is more than one way to skin a cat!
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14 comments:
They just don't build them like that anymore.
The more grand the staircase the more dramatic the entrance. I would enjoy ascending or descending any of these lovely staircases. Next stop Vienna! Thanks for sharing!!!
All are glorious! It's interesting to look at the beautiful detailing in each one.
Thank you for taking us places some of us might not ever have the chance to see otherwise.
xo J~
These are amazing! Any clues on which buildings they are in.
Stefan they are all stunning examples of amazing architecture.
Xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Your friend certainly has a good idea for gret architectural details. There is nothing like descending a grand staircase into a crowded room to make an entrance. You have inspired me for a future post.
Wow these are grand indeed and so beautiful.
impressive!
I totally get the Escher vibe and I love it! These staircases are immeasurably fabulous.
Stefan, your post is the perfect reminder for me to finally do a Vienna post. How could I have NOT done one yet? For culture vultures and coffeehouse habitués, it doesn't get any better.
Best,
Michael
Stefan, like you I enjoy the drama of a Grand Staircase - who wouldn't enjoy making an entrance on one of these? Well actually, I can think of one person - Thomas Jefferson! He hid all the staircases in Monticello in what were essentially closet spaces, and his steps were an amazing 20" wide. (Of course, one of his aims was to make a two-story house appear to be one-story.) Mark
Thank you very much for posting this!
The first of the pictures seems to be of the staircase at Kunsthistorisches Museum, the second of Rathaus, and the last of Burgtheater. But unfortunately I'm not able to identify the building of the last of the four pictures. Could you please tell us (if you happen to know) which viennese building's complicated yet soothing staircase it is in question?
Best wishes
-A. Solin
art history student, Finland
In response to your red-carpeted staircase in the second picture, I find I understand the "madness" if you think of the staircase in sections. For instance, just consider the components in the foreground along with the landing. Then do the same with the set in the background. I think it makes sense that way.
Wow - impressive. Starting to look almost Escher-esque. I love Vienna, although I haven't been there in many years. Love how the veneer of the city is so proper with a little bit of a "dark" underbelly - find those dichotomies so interesting!
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