Greetings! This week we’re traveling to the beautiful and bustling city of Milan, Italy. I shot “Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II” during a short stop over in Milan in August 2011. I used an aperture of f/5 and shutter speed of 1/100 at ISO 200.
Milan is a very interesting mix of old and new. In a way, the city’s classical art and architecture almost seemed to be at odds with modernity and all that goes along with it. From my point of view as an outsider looking in, Milan came across as a city in conflict with one foot in the past and the other being thrust into the future.
While I wouldn’t say that Milan is one of my favorite Italian cities, I would say that some of my favorite Italian sites are located in Milan. Da Vinci’s Last Supper can be seen at Santa Maria delle Grazie (make sure you book your tickets before you go!) and the architecture and artistry of the famous gothic style Duomo is a must see. Finally, the magnificent Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, which is opens up onto the Piazza del Duomo, is the perfect encapsulation of Milan: a city of the past and a city of present.
Prior to arriving in Milan, I didn’t do as much research as I typically do before I travel. I think I had Da Vinci’s Last Supper and the Duomo on the brain, and didn’t really look at what else Milan had to offer. As a result, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele was a wonderful surprise. I remember finishing up a tour of the Duomo, wondering through the piazza, and noticing a massive open arcade with warm colored walls, an intricate glass ceiling, and what looked like hundreds of people wandering around inside. When I entered the gallery, which is in fact one the oldest shopping malls in the world, the first thing I noticed was the juxtaposition of classical architecture and a modern shopping scene. High end shops such as Louis Vuitton and Prada neighbor numerous small restaurants (including the ever present McDonald’s), which are sandwiched between colorful mosaic tile and marble floors and terra cotta colored walls covered with classical architectural details and murals. It was so interesting to see the connection between the past and the present and imagine what the mall would have been like when it was first built in the 1800s.
This photo really focuses on the more classical elements of the gallery. I wanted to highlight the geometric shape of the central glass dome while also including some of the intricate architectural details. I shot the image looking up at the central dome, where all four arcades intersect. I carefully positioned myself so that I could capture the warm colors and subtle shadowing that was created from the sun’s late afternoon illumination. If you ever visit the gallery, make sure to stop by in the late afternoon when the sun isn’t directly overhead. It’s the ideal time to view the rich, warm colors of the gallery.
I hope you enjoyed this week’s blog! See you next week!
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