2.3.09

Now Google Earth extends to its Garden of Delight, Hell and more.


These freaky images are snaps I took while visiting Eden and Hell beside (not "besides") the Garden of Earthly Delights. I'm referring to the painting by Bosch, which is a triptych depicting the central theme with Eden on the left panel and Hell on the right.

Thanks to Google Earth's mapping technology. The Prado Museum of Madrid became the first to open its collection online, allowing anyone to take a virtual view of their 14 masterpieces in ultra super mega high resolution. You can zoom in closer and closer, until it’s like putting your nose right up to the canvas (without security guards shouting at you). The aged paint and cracks become almost physical on your screen.

Other famous paintings include, Velázquez's Las Meninas, Goya's The 3rd of May 1808, Rembrandt's Artemis, Rubens’ Three Graces, Raphael's The Cardinal and more. I suspect other museums will soon follow. Wouldn't it be wonderful when one day all the art pieces in the world can be viewed at our fingertips? Then we could be freely greeted by the famous Smile or the terrible Scream.

You can click this link to see the reduced version by Google Map. But I highly recommend you to install Google Earth. Then you can truly appreciate the beauty of technology and the masterpieces it brings to you, right up to your nose.