December 31, 2006
CHELSEA CLASSIC
For many reasons, it can be rare to catch an unobstructed view of an entire building's facade in Manhattan. Traffic, scaffolding, the sheer size of buildings and so on all conspire to obstruct decent views of the city's architecture. That's why I was thrilled to get a shot of the church pictured above. It's St. Vincent De Paul's on 23rd St. between 6th and 7th Aves. St. Vincent is the patron saint of charity, but the reserved and unostenatious nature of the church--likely designed in the spirit of the saint--is now belabored by the level of filth that has accumulated on its facade. It's a shame, because it's an impressive work of classical architecture.
In the spirit of conservatism and spacial conservation, the building features pilasters rather than columns along 23rd St. The spare architrave supports a frieze adorned only with the name of St. Vincent De Paul. If it weren't for the Corinthian-style heads of the pilasters, the dentillation of the pediment's cornice would be almost the only ornamentation on the building. A broken pediment lies across the doorway to the church, with statuary of St. Vincent and a child. I didn't get close enough, but it looks like the doors of the church are bronze. They've weathered to an almost aquamarine patina. The spareness of the building's ornamentation puts its weather-beaten condition in high relief.
While I appreciate the sentiment behind the simplicity of the building's design, I think to let such a structure become so rundown looking is a shame.
Tagged:Posted by Lexiphane at December 31, 2006 1:09 AM
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