While visiting family in Dresden, Germany recently, one day we made a trip with Claudia's mom and sister to Albrechtsburg Castle in nearby Meissen. This beautiful Gothic castle perched atop a hill above the Elbe River was built starting in 1471 on the site of a fortress castle that was originally built in 929. The castle is famous for housing the first European porcelain factory in the early 1700's (porcelain was a hot commodity at the time only available from China or Japan, and in order to keep the porcelain production a closely guarded secret August the Strong established the Meissen porcelain factory inside the castle itself). The castle is also notable for its intricate vaulted ceilings and remarkable spiral stone staircase, both of which I thoroughly enjoyed photographing with all their ornate lines and shapes.
Figments of Albrechtsburg
Vaulted Trees
Vaulted ceiling in Albrechtsburg castle. From this angle the pillars look like giant trees with branches spreading out over the ceiling.
Jungle Canopy
Incredibly ornate painting on the vaulted ceiling of this room in Albrechtsburg castle.
Iridescence
Colorful vaulted ceiling in Albrechtsburg castle.
Cobra
Vaulted ceiling in Albrechtsburg castle.
Cool Warm
The pure white forms of this vaulted ceiling in Albrechtsburg castle reflect different shades of light – blue from a window and yellow from interior lighting.
Downward Spiral
Looking down the giant stone staircase in Albrechtsburg castle.
Transformation
"Transformation" – porcelain sculpture by Elina Titane.
While we were visiting Albrechtsburg they had an exhibition of modern porcelain artists. I was particularly attracted to the work of Elina Titane, whose flowing psychedelic sculptures reminded me of my friend Philip Newsom's "Mystery Forms" paintings.
Infinite Loops
"Infinite Loops" – porcelain sculpture by Elina Titane.
And one more from Dresden that I thought fit the abstract theme:
Glimmer
Fountain tiles in Dresden, Germany.