Photography – Page 6

Bibliothèque Mazarine, Paris

August 10, 2025May 22, 2024

The Bibliothèque Mazarine, or Mazarin Library, is located within the Palais de l’institut de France, or the Palace of the Institute of France (previously the Collège des Quatre-Nations of the University of Paris), at 23 quai de Conti in the 6th arrondissement, on the Left Bank of the Seine facing the Pont des Arts and the Louvre. Originally created by Cardinal Mazarin (1602–1661) as his personal library in the 17th century, it today has one of the richest collections of rare books and manuscripts in France, and is the oldest public library in the country.

The library today contains about 600,000 volumes. The oldest part of the collection, brought together by Mazarin, contains about 200,000 volumes on all subjects. The more modern collections specialize in French history, particularly religious and literary history of the Middle Ages (12th–15th centuries) and the 16th and 17th centuries. Other specialities are the history of the book and the local and regional history of France.

Sources: Official Site | Wikipedia

The Bourse de Commerce – Pinault Collection in Paris

August 16, 2025May 21, 2024

The Bourse de Commerce in Paris began as a circular wheat exchange built between 1763 and 1767. Its open-air court was capped with a wooden dome, later replaced in 1811 by a copper dome supported by an iron framework—an early example of modern engineering. A major reconstruction in 1888–89 preserved the layout but added glass and a mounted canvas to the dome, giving the building much of its present form.

The $170 million redevelopment was led by Pritzker Prize–winning Japanese architect Tadao Ando, who had previously collaborated with Pinault in Venice at the Palazzo Grassi. Ando inserted a striking 108-foot-diameter concrete cylinder into the rotunda, creating a central exhibition space while preserving the original dome and framework.

Since 2021, the Bourse de Commerce has been the Paris home of the Pinault Collection, offering exhibitions and events that reflect Pinault’s fifty years as a collector and patron of the arts. The immense dome—listed as a historic monument—is breathtaking in itself, and the contemporary art on display is modern, challenging, and original.

Sources: Wikipedia | Pinault Collection | The New York Times | Le Monde

La Galerie Dior: Fashion as Art in Paris

August 16, 2025May 18, 2024

La Galerie Dior opened in spring 2022, celebrating the legacy of Christian Dior (1905–1957) and his six successors. Designed by American architect Peter Marino (b. 1949), the gallery sits beside Dior’s flagship at 30 Avenue Montaigne.

Spread across thirteen thematic spaces, the collection includes 130 haute couture outfits, 33 toiles, and 150–200 accessories. The gallery is open daily from 11 am to 7 pm (closed Tuesdays). Admission: €12.

Visitors ascend by elevator to the third floor and descend through a spectacular spiral staircase. Even for those who aren’t devotees of haute couture, the exhibitions are breathtaking.

Next door at 30 Avenue Montaigne is Dior’s largest boutique—arguably the most beautiful store I’ve ever visited. It features a restaurant and a pastry café in a soaring atrium filled with tropical trees and fresh flowers. Worth a stop even if you don’t plan on buying anything.

Sources: A Visit to La Galerie Dior | WWD | Peter Marino Architect

Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris

August 16, 2025May 12, 2024

The Théâtre du Châtelet is a theater and opera house, located in the place du Châtelet in the 1st arrondissement of Paris.

One of two theaters (the other being the Théâtre de la Ville) built on the site of a châtelet, a small castle or fortress, it was designed by Gabriel Davioud (1824-1881) at the request of Baron Haussmann between 1860 and 1862. Originally named the Théâtre Impérial du Châtelet, it has undergone remodeling and name changes over the years. Currently it seats 2,500 people. The theater was registered as a historic monument on November 14, 1979.

Since 1979, the theatre has been operated by the City of Paris, and, after undergoing a major restoration, re-opened in 1980 under the name Théâtre Musical de Paris. It was acoustically re-modeled again in 1989 and reverted to the Théâtre du Châtelet name.

From 2017 to 2019, the theatre was closed for a $34.7 million renovation. While the main purpose of the renovation was to renew electrical circuits, fire safety and security, the Grand Salle was returned to its appearance of 1862 and the Grand Foyer to its Napoleon III style. Outside of the theatre, allegorical statues symbolizing dance, music, comedy and drama which were removed at the end of the 19th century were restored.

Farewell to the Hotel Harrington, Washington’s Longest-Running Hotel

August 18, 2025May 6, 2024

The Hotel Harrington, once known as “Washington’s Tourist Hotel,” closed its doors on December 12, 2023, after more than 109 years of continuous operation.

Opened on March 1, 1914—when Woodrow Wilson was President and the world stood on the edge of war—the Harrington quickly became a fixture in downtown Washington. Located just steps from the White House and the National Mall, it earned the distinction of being the city’s longest-operating hotel and, for generations, a true Washington institution.

I walked past it countless times but never stepped inside. Now, that chance is gone.

Below is a circa-1932 postcard of E Street NW, looking west at 11th Street. On the right, the Thrift Shop at 1011 E Street is doing brisk Depression-era business; on the left stands the Hotel Harrington. A distinguished bank building once occupied the northwest corner, but it too has vanished.

Thrift Shop 1011 E St NW (c. 1932) — Grainy, circa-1932 postcard of E Street NW facing west at 11th Street. The Thrift Shop, at 1011 E St NW, is on the right, doing brisk Depression-era business. Harrington Hotel on the left. Note the distinguished bank building, long gone, on the northwest corner of 11th and E. (Source: Streets of Washington on Flickr)

The following photo of the Hotel Harrington is from the archives of the Library of Congress:

See also, The Washington Post.

CDG Terminal 1: ‘The Camembert’

August 15, 2025April 23, 2024

Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport (CDG) opened on March 13, 1974. It has three terminals. Terminal 1 (shown above) is the oldest terminal. It was inaugurated on March 8, 1974 by French Prime Minister Pierre Messmer (1916-2007), after eight years of construction.

Designed by the young architect Paul Andreu (1938-2018), this first terminal featured an innovative design of brutalist architecture. It has a central circular building linked to seven satellites. Designed to facilitate the distribution of passenger flows, this singular structure earned the terminal its nickname, which is still used today, the Camembert.

The first Air France flight from Paris-Charles de Gaulle took off on April 30, 1974. The Caravelle F-BHRA, the first aircraft of its type delivered to Air France, took off for Belgrade and Sofia, with a crew led by flight captain Henri Cibert.

Paris-Charles de Gaulle is the busiest airport within the European Union. In 2022, it handled 57,474,033 passengers and 34,657 aircraft movements, thus making it the world’s ninth busiest airport and Europe’s third busiest airport (after Istanbul and Heathrow) in terms of passenger numbers.

Sources: Air France | Wikipedia

More of Washington’s Cherry Blossoms

August 16, 2025March 25, 2024

I went back on Sunday March 25th to enjoy Washington’s cherry trees. It was a cold morning without any clouds in the sky. The blossoms were still beautiful.

Mineo’s Pizza, Pittsburgh

August 9, 2025March 23, 2024

In 1954, Giovanni Mineo came to Pittsburgh from Sicily where he had worked as a baker. Riding a street car down Murray Avenue, he found a rental space for his pizzeria at the original location of 2130 Murray Avenue. On September 13, 1958, he introduced pizza to the primarily Jewish Squirrel Hill neighborhood. In the 1970’s, Mineo’s moved next door to the current location of 2128 Murray Avenue and his teenage sons Dominic and Giovanni Jr (“John”) began working with their father. Although Giovanni died in 1996, sons Dominic, John, and manager Gary Robinson hold true to his traditions and recipes.

I grew up eating Mineo’s pizza at least once a week. I loved it as did most students at Taylor Allderdice High School, the local high school.

Now that I live in Washington, I go as often as I can to Giuseppi’s Pizza in Rockville, Maryland for a similar Pittsburgh experience, including lots of Pittsburgh Steelers paraphernalia on the walls.

Washington’s Famed Cherry Trees in Peak Bloom

August 16, 2025March 17, 2024

Washington’s Cherry Blossoms hit peak bloom today. This was about two weeks earlier than normal. I had the pleasure of being at the Tidal Basin at sunrise to welcome Spring. It was a glorious day.

How to Remove White Edge Glows in Photoshop

August 18, 2025March 1, 2024

Scott Kelby demonstrates a quick, effective way to eliminate the white glows that sometimes appear around the edges of objects in Photoshop. It’s a simple technique, but incredibly useful—and, as always, Kelby explains it with clarity and ease.