The Palace of Fine Arts – San Francisco
The Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco was constructed as a temporary attraction in playing host to the Panama-Pacific International Exposition, The Fair, which opened on February 20, 1915, San Francisco was honoring the discovery of the Pacific Ocean and the completion of the Panama Canal; it was also celebrating its own resurrection after the shattering earthquake and fire of 1906.
Those column-top statues of sorrowing (weeping) maidens turned away from prying eyes are using their tears to water the long-gone oaks that originally stood in the planters that they surround. One story I heard was that the tears were for the dead soldiers (lost love?) of the Panama Canal Zone war.
I like the romantic aspects of this.
This is a favorite place of mine, Paul. … My mom doesn’t live too far from there. … Coming to your blog and seeing the city from your lens reminds me how easy it is to take life’s gifts for granted. … Great photos.
Greg Bardsley
September 16, 2008 at 12:55 am