06 October 2009

The Romantic Soul of Stanford University


Inspired by her travels to the Piazza San Marco in Venice, and built by Jane Stanford in 1903 as a memorial to her husband, the Memorial Chapel is the irresistibly romantic soul of one of the most innovative and intellectual centers for the development of modern, high technology.

Built in a period of American eclecticism, the Chapel is Romanesque in form with semi-circular arches, symmetry and massive quality; yet Byzantine in detail, with extensive mosaics and foliate stone carvings. The original building featured a huge quatrefoil window in its facade, which was damaged in the earthquake of 1906, and subsequently replaced with the arched window we see today.


Gorgeous Mosaics by Venetian Artist
Maurizio Camerino Adorn the Facade
(this gorgeous photo is by Jill Clardy; the rest of the photos below were taken
by me with my iPhone while I waited for a friend)


Foliated Stone Carved Arches and Mosaics of the Facade



Ornate Entry Doorway


Foliated Stone Carved Quatrefoil in the Interior


Memorial Plaque and Detail of Mosaics of the Facade


Flowers Arrangement by my friend Robert Fountain Greets Visitors



If you live in Silicon Valley, you have undoubtedly seen the Stanford Campus with its magnificent architecture, beautiful and natural landscaping, and its Cantor Arts Center and Rodin Sculpture Garden. Go have lunch at the Cantor Cafe, visit the museum and marvel at the collection; then wander through the grounds for a lovely way to spend a sunny Sunday afternoon in Palo Alto.

Then reflect for a moment: you are reading this blog on the internet largely because of the ingenious creativity of the brilliant minds right here at Stanford University. Go visit its soul.



The Gates of Hell, Rodin Sculpture Garden, Cantor Arts Center

The Burghers of Calais, Rodin Sculpture Garden, Cantor Arts Center







Kit Golson Design

for elegant, sustainable and pragmatic

Chic Provence Interior Design


8 comments:

  1. Wow, next time am in San Francisco I definitely want to visit Standford..it's such a beauty Kit!
    Thanks for the amazing post :)

    ~Lina
    X

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Style Redux2, come on out and visit!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Lina!! You will see this soon, I know!

    ReplyDelete
  4. lovely... and you can email me at robinson_pamela@msn.com re the beach house in seattle... pam

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Pam, thanks I will do that. Thanks for stopping by, I love your blog!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi Kit...I'm having fun exploring your blog! Beautiful photos. I was lucky to get married at the Stanford Chapel...had grown up going to church there. I love the openness of the Rodin sculpture garden...and the fabulous museum next door. Thank you for all the loveliness! Merci, Trish

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Trish, you did NOT get married in that gorgeous chapel?? it is spectacular, how perfectly lovely for your wedding! thanks so much for visiting, I was so happy to discover your blog and learn you are so close, north of SF..

    a bientot!

    Kit

    ReplyDelete

I would love to hear what you think! merci!

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails