Snowbirds Living in the Philippines : The Dying Gaul Sculpture- The Notre Dame Cathedral Reconstruction

Saturday, November 30, 2024

The Dying Gaul Sculpture- The Notre Dame Cathedral Reconstruction

Are You into Sculpture? If so, Continue Reading!

The Dying Gaul captures a warrior in his final moments, his face twisted in agony as he succumbs to a fatal chest wound. This poignant image of a defeated foe exemplifies bravery in the face of death, serene acceptance, and a recognition of nobility in a foreign race. Believed to have been commissioned between 230 and 220 BC by Attalus I of Pergamon to commemorate his triumph over the Galatians, a Celtic people of Anatolia, the sculpture immortalizes a profound moment in history. The version displayed in the museum is a replica of a lost masterpiece from the Hellenistic period (323–31 BC), preserving the legacy of this powerful and moving work.

The Dying Gaul (

Il Galata morentA Roman copy after a sculpture situated in the Pergamon Acropolis. Photo: DEA / G. NIMATALLAH/Getty Images

Dying Gaul is a world masterpiece. A once-in-a-lifetime loan from the National Archaeological Museum in Naples, the 2,000-year-old sculpture ispart of the Met’s luminescent exhibition of more than 250 incredible objects of Hellenistic art, “Pergamon and the Hellenistic Kingdoms of the Ancient World.” It is a slightly larger than life-sized marble sculpture of a partially naked man on the ground — apparently felled here, supporting himself with one arm, the other resting weakly on an outstretched leg. The hand on the ground is atop a broken sword; his head is bent downward to the point where we can’t really see his face at all. He is bleeding from a large chest wound, dying.

In 1737, Pope Clement XII acquired the work for the Capitoline Museum (now it is sometimes called the Capitoline Gaul), Rome, Italy. After Napoleon's victory over the Papal States in 1797, the Dying Gaul had a brief interlude in Paris. It was returned to the Capitoline Museum in 1816, and remains there today

For Details visit:

https://www.vulture.com/2016/07/dying-gaul-is-a-world-masterpiece-about-death.html

Meanwhile enjoy this photo in my apartment-my Picture of the Day featuring my small "David" sculpture.

Here's a list of the top 20 famous sculptures of all time.

https://www.timeout.com/newyork/art/top-famous-sculptures-of-all-time

Lastly, here are some stunning photos of the Notre Dame Cathedral after Reconstruction posted in the Web just recently.

First Mass is scheduled for December 8, Feast of the Immaculate Conception. If my knees were a little stronger, I will have no hesitation in flying there just for the day to attend that mass. For additional photos and details visit:

https://www.cnn.com/style/live-news/macron-notre-dame-paris-reopening-11-29-24-intl/index.html

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Joys of Retirement

I have been retired from USFDA since 2002. At first, I feel I have lost my identity as an individual or have lost my contribution to society. However, within a few weeks all these feelings were gone. It started when my wife and I started baby sitting one of our grandchildren. As some economics professor states: "Your children are your capital investments, but your grandchildren are your profits. That is why you love your grandchildren more than your children". I really agree with the statement. Retirement also gives you lots of time to do things you like to do, such as your hobbies and of course travel. In my case, I turned my hobby of gardening and landscaping into a small business in the Philippines. This endeavor was planned about five years before 2002. That year my wife and I started construction of our retirement home in Boac, Marinduque , Philippines. The next year we built a beach house, followed by a Conference Hall two years later. Needless to say, planning and executing the landscaping was a challenge and very enjoyable. With the help of local labor, I not only enjoy the time gardening and landscaping, but also help improved the economic situation of the province by providing work and jobs to the local residents. With plenty of time, I have engaged into two specific activities as follows: First, I created a website for my small business. By trial and error, I created and design the website, www.chateaudumer.com I have never been a computer nerd or expert. But with plenty of time and patience, the fruits of my labor could be enjoyed if you visit the website above. The second activity, I have not done before was to utilize on-line activities, such as shopping, paying bills ( save you stamps) and playing computer games in the Internet. I really enjoyed playing duplicate bridge on line. You play with players all over the world and can chat in between games. But be careful, you are not spending too much time in the computer. It is very addictive. With a lots of time, my wife and I devoted more time on our favorite humanitarian project. For the last 15 years, we have been involved with medical mission to the province of Marinduque. For details please visit the website: www.marinduqueinternational.org As a summary, the joy one gets on retirement is very specific for an individual. Some enjoy their free time by learning new activities, getting involved with humanitarian projects or spending more time with their grandchildren. Others hate it, since they missed their former jobs and co-workers. Others with no children still enjoy retirement by traveling, turning their hobbies into business or more community involvement. Of course those that retire and hate it, is believe to die earlier than those that enjoy their retirement years. So, plan your retirement as early as you can. The happier you are on retirement, the longer you will live.