More Cats of Rome

This was the first cat to greet us in Rome. This poster is at the airport. I am not sure what it is telling us, (anyone read Italian?) but I like the style.
This little Kitty met us just inside the Capitoline Museum. He seems as if he is ready to move.

This Regal fellow lives on one of the fountains at Quattro Fontane. There is a fountain on each corner of the intersection.

Look at all these cats. I especially like the little black and white who is looking right at us.

These can be found in the Al Sogna Toy Shop in Piazza Navona.

This is a wonderful toy store.

If you ask, they will take you upstairs to show you the posh collectors dolls. Way out of my price range but well worth the climb. My guide book compares this shop to Santa's Workshop fifty years ago. I want to go back already.

This is another resident of Piazza Navona. Who knew lions liked water so much? He adorns one of many Roman fountains by Bernini.

My Sweet hubby is grinning from behind an old Egyptian statue on the Vatican grounds.

Detail from a Sarcophagi in the Vatican collection. This guy is carved from marble yet the detail is like the finest of porcelain.

One thing that amazes me is that, as old as my house is, art like this has been sitting right where it is since before my house was even a dream. Some of these things are at least a thousand years old. This guy was carved without the aid of electricity.

No, this isn't an escapee from the last post. Jaguars are cats too. This is one of my Sweet Hubby's favorites.

A big cat in an ancient mosaic that is on display at the Colosseum.

One of the sweetest kitties of all. This little lady was taking a nap in the sun at the Colosseum.

That's it for Roman cats but I have lots more to share from the trip.

Cheers,

Kat

Cats of Rome # 1

Most of you guessed it, yes, we went to Rome. We had planned a big trip for our twenty fifth wedding anniversary, but between my job and school, we were unable to go. Our twenty sixth anniversary came and went last December, school continued to get in the way. Once I graduated, off we went.

This first picture shows two rather content looking big cats from a painting by W. Peter. The painting is called "Adamo ed Eva nel Paradiso Terrestre".
These lovely lions and the little kitty at Adams feet below are from the same picture. The picture belongs to the Vatican and is located at the "Pinacoteca" in the Vatican Museum. If you go, plan on spending plenty of time. We spent two days at the Vatican and that was not long enough to see everything.

My graduation present from My Sweet Hubby (in addition to the trip) was a new digital camera. I have loved the old one so much, he got me the updated version. It is a Fuji Fine pix Z70 and it is pink. I would not have been able to take a lot of the pictures I did without it. These three are an example, there really was not enough light and flash photos are not allowed for fear of damage.

As you know, I love cats. Apparently, so did the ancient Romans. They are well represented in all types of ancient art. I took so many pictures on this subject alone that I will have to split it into two posts. This regal looking gentleman lives in Vatican City. We met when we stopped for a cup of Cappuccino :)

This little kitty looks hungry, thank goodness he is marble. He and a twin are holding up a giant sarcophagus. I believe it was made for a sister of one of the Emperors (I was so in awe of my surroundings, I did not even think about taking notes).

These lions are not alone, it seems as if everything in Rome is either covered in gold and marble, painted to look like it is covered in gold and marble or it is moving. I have decided that I really like marble, love walking on it barefoot! I could not resist, I had to make marble frames for the Rome pictures.

The Vatican has a separate Egyptian Museum. Whenever the Ancient Romans conquered new territory, they tried to bring the best of it home as trophies. They brought back a lot of Egypt. These two representations of Bast are some of the best. I will show more Egyptian art later.

This little spotted kitty reminds me a bit of our Spontaneous. She got to remain at home with very dear friends who agreed to stay in the house while we were away. She is a sweetie and we sure missed her. The picture is from a Tapestry that the Vatican keeps in a very dark room. I am amazed at how well the new camera uses what light is available.

Last for this post. My Sweet Hubby and me. This Kat really enjoyed her vacation.

More Rome to come, Cats, Columns, Ruins, Paintings, Statues, and Cappuccino.
Cheers,

Kat