Pope & Pigeon, a photo from Palermo, Sicily

Photographer's Note

This is a real statue standing outside Palermo cathedral, not a street performer, and the pigeon is also real, not a part of the statue. I remember clearly how I begged the pigeon not to fly away until I had time to take a picture, but looking closely at the photo a few days ago I started to doubt my memory. I had to check Google street view carefully to make sure that the statue shown there doesn't have a pigeon on its hand. You can see it for yourself by using the map coordinates 38.11348 13.35605. You can also click at Map: view.

This is outside Palermo's famous Cathedral. The statue may be dedicated to Pope Sergius I (687–701), who was born in Palermo. However, there is another statue of Sergius in another part of the courtyard, looking quite different, so I am not quite sure who this is supposed to show. And I have no idea who made the statue, or how old it is. But you can see the other statue, and part of the cathedral, in a WS. Another WS, maybe more in "my style", is taken in the street in front of the cathedral.

Here is a larger version of the main photo.

pajaran, Royaldevon, Fis2, snunney, alvaraalto, alvaraalto, tyro, dale54, ChrisJ, Cricri, pierrefonds, adramad, jhm, PaulVDV, jean113, mcmtanyel, macjake, papagolf21, sacimar, ikeharel, COSTANTINO, worldcitizen, maloutim heeft deze opmerking als nuttig gemarkeerd

Critiques | Translate

pajaran (115989) 2018-10-28 2:17

Dobar dan.
Interesantni i lepi pogledi, lepi trenuci, dobar tekst ...
Dobar rad sa lepim fotografijama u radionici, lepo pokazano, dobar kontrast, lepe boje.
Lepa skulprura i arhitektura, lep trenutak sa ulice.
Zelim vam lep dan za odmor, sve najbolje.
Paja.

lousat (139332) 2018-10-28 2:24

Hi Gert,original post with the pigeon placed in the perfect place that in effect seems a part of the staute watching the same colors..ehehe..another nice idea,useful WS to see where the Pope is placed,obviously close to the cathedral,and funny paintings on the street blocks too,well done! Have a nice Sunday and thanks,Luciano

Royaldevon (85932) 2018-10-28 2:31

Hello Gert,

What a selection you have treated us to, in this series!

If you look carefully, at your main post, maybe the red feet and pink beak would have proved that your memories of the pigeon were correct! I suppose, if it had been part of the statue, a dove would have been chosen for its symbolism!
You have given us some wonderful, sharp details of the statue, the building and the children's art! What an interesting view of the touristy part of Palermo.
The only thing I find sad is the preponderance of police. It reminds us of the instability of our world, at the moment!

Have a lovely Sunday,
Bev :-)

Fis2 (170861) 2018-10-28 2:36

Witaj Gert!
Curious fragment of statue.
Good framing, colors and sharpness.
Pigeon add flavor to this composition.
Excellent shot.
Nice sunday.
Warm regards.
Krzysztof

Nicou (193806) 2018-10-28 2:45

Hello

Avec ce fond de pierre presque blanc quel pape et image quelle statue il a une fente sur la joue superbe rendu et ce pigeons sur sa main quei se fond avec le tout il est porté par le baras du pape ils doivent aussi auller au sommet on voit le coulures des djections fantastique image
Bravo et beau dimanche
Nicou

CLODO (45116) 2018-10-28 2:51

Hi Gert

A classical shot with pigeon on a statue, but you're right we have to check closely to discover that's a real bird. I appreciate very much your style WS with the link between the painting and the cops
Warm regards
CLODO

snunney (130967) 2018-10-28 2:54

Hello Gert,
The colours of the pigeon match those of the sculpture so closely that one would say that they are part and parcel of the same artwork. Fun capture very nicely realised.

kasianowak (17676) 2018-10-28 3:16

Both statues look like they stretch their hands in a welcoming gesture for birds to sit on them. ;-)
I love the workshop photos too, one for the contrast between the dark statue and wonderfully lit building and the other for the amusing painting on the traffic barrier (this really could have been a main upload in its own right).

alvaraalto (42804) 2018-10-28 3:24

Hello Gert,
A beautiful photo with a number of very appealing and surprising details. Of course, this hand is a favourite place for pigeons, just like the top of the tiara. This can clearly be seen from the poo on the statue. But did the pigeons also chew the fingers of the pope? And is that thread coming out of the pope's ear a modern microphone, as you often see on TV? 😊
Dear Gert, whether you like it or not: This is a special photo. 😉
Have a nice Sunday, groet Rob

tyro (30513) 2018-10-28 3:47

Hello Gert,

As always, a fascinating and informative note and three delightful photographs to admire! And I can confirm that the pigeon was not there when Mr. Google visited this statue.

It's funny that you found two statues of Pope Sergius which looked quite different from each other but I suppose that is not surprising as this statue we see here would definitely not have been commissioned during his lifetime. It reminds me of my visit to Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh many years ago: the main hall there is bedecked with portraits of pretty much all of the kings of Scotland going back to the eleventh century, but they were painted in the 17th century by Jacob de Wet, a Dutch painter, and rumour has it that he took a random fellow from the streets of Edinburgh as a model and modified the paintings as he went along, churning out one portrait per week. Interestingly, that same artist painted panels in the chapel at Glamis Castle, one panel depicting a portrait of Christ, and when he was denied what he believed was an adequate payment for his work, he returned and adorned Christ with a broad rimmed soft hat, more suited to the likes of Clint Eastwood.

Anyway, enough of my ramblings. Three well taken and appealing photographs and you were certainly blessed by the fact that the pigeon decided not to fly off before you captured your main image. Your other statue is excellent too and, although the face might not be the same, the splendid hat is. But my favourite must be your busy street scene with the rather fine graffiti on those road blocks dominating the foreground.

Excellent!

Kind Regards,

John.

dale54 (17768) 2018-10-28 3:52

hello my friend and good morning to you gert..well seen and chosen subject.great note to your shot,nice all around work! tfs dale

ChrisJ (171884) 2018-10-28 4:48

Hello Gert,

Any one of the 3 images would have made a suitable main post. My favourite is the policemen with the whimsically painted bollard with cartoon like figures in total contrast to the serious job that the police do. The colour of the pigeon here matches the shoulder of the statue. Tfs!

Silvio1953 (221729) 2018-10-28 5:30

Ciao Gert, nice capture of lovely pigeon on the Hans of statue, thanks for beautiful WS too, wonderful colors, fine details and splendid clarity, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

Cricri (176) 2018-10-28 7:37

Hi Gert
Voila une présentation parfaite de la statue, plus particulière avec la bonne présence du pigeon dans une position parfaite comme la statue
Bonne journée
cricri

pierrefonds (114536) 2018-10-28 8:02

Hi Gert,

The pigeon is an eye-catcher. The point of view is showing the details of the statue and of the pigeon. The light has a good effect on the colors. Have a nice day.

Pierre

adramad (73006) 2018-10-28 9:14

Hello Gert.
Certainly this detail of the sculpture with the pigeon in the hand is magnificent, and it is seen that the pigeon is authentic because the Pope is missing two fingers of the hand, right where the pigeon is, by the detail of the pigeon that is curious I understand You have chosen this photo as the main one, because the WS with the towers of the cathedral and the backlight of the sculpture is a marvel.
Beautiful natural colors, very good lighting and excellent sharpness.
Well done. I love.
Enjoy, Sunday.
Very best regards.
Luis.

jhm (211736) 2018-10-28 9:41

Hello Gert,

You took the statue on a wonderful way.
Is now the dove real or to the statue your picture remain nice.
Of course is your head picture the most beautiful.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

PaulVDV (62978) 2018-10-28 9:59

Hello Gert,
This pigeon really seems to be an integral part of the statue. On the legs, the beak and the eye we see that it is a real pigeon. What a picture with a huge symbolism!
I surely like the photo in the WS with the statue and the cathedral. The golden light on the cathedral makes it a fantastic sight. Main picture or one in the WS, it's a splendid shot.
I see that the traffic police in Palermo has a good sense of humour. If only they had it everywhere.
Best regards, Paul

jean113 (27893) 2018-10-28 10:25

Hello Gert, for me, you chose the right one for your main post.
The dove/pigeon was there at just the right time for you, 'the icing on the cake'!
You have certainly made the most of your trip to Sicily.
Three very interesting shots.
Regards Jean.

jmdias (115252) 2018-10-28 10:25

gert

if you can remember I have a photo with jesus trying to take a pigeon. haha.
nice job mixing the art and real life, excellent result.

take care

jorge

Tue (92470) 2018-10-28 12:43

Hej Gert,
Den hvide due der sidder på pavens hånd er en meget god detalje. Den ser levende nok ud, som ikke kan siges af pavestatuen, som synes at mangle en del af sit hoved, hvilket heller ikke er meget overraskende med så stor en hat på hovedet. Meget godt set og fanget inden fuglen fløj væk igen.
Lars

mesutilgim (0) 2018-10-28 12:55

Hello dear Gert,
Very good observed and captured.
Perfect pov and ligth management as well as shaprness.

Well the birds has no respect of such famous and ımportant personalities.

TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

Look at this one (one of my former entries from Istanbul)

https://www.trekearth.com/viewphotos.php?l=8&p=1007336

mcmtanyel (68623) 2018-10-28 13:34

Hello Gert,
During the baptism of Jesus, the Holy Spirit descends like a dove. So, maybe this was a sign that this particular pope was beloved of God. I don't think it is part of the statue because its beak and leg are orange. Nice catch! 👍
Regards,
MT

macjake (98456) 2018-10-28 16:17

Hi Gert
this is a rather simple photo from you, I find the note you wrote more interesting haha. When I say simple, i mean that there's not much going on composition wise or artistic wise from the photographer, its a straight forward kind of shot. Now having said that, I will admit the longer I view the sculpture the more and more I like it as there are interesting details to be viewed. So yes, I appreciate the work that went into creating the sculpture. As for the pigeon, it does look fake if you're just scanning the image quickly, and your note is something we can all relate to as photographers. Forgive me if i've been too critical, it's not my intention :) cheers
Craig

rychem (72187) 2018-10-28 21:37

A very nice reportage series, each of these photos can be the main photo, very well presented
regards Ryszard

papagolf21 (152607) 2018-10-28 23:45

Bonjour, cher Gert,
Bien vu ce gros plan sur la partie supérieure de la sculpture.
L'on a l'impression que l'on pourrait le toucher, d'ailleurs miracle, ou circonstance, une colombe est venue se poser sur l'une de ses mains.
Une superbe réalisation (bravo pour la réactivité).
Amitiés.
Philippe

sacimar (38173) 2018-10-29 5:08

Hello Gert,

you captured an interesting scene with the pigeon and the statue, it is a good combination of elements for a photo, well seen and presented,

Best regards,

Sergio

ikeharel (113427) 2018-10-30 4:02

Hello Gert,
Superb capture of the pigeon at that precise moment when stood on the hand of the Pop...
Good afternoon,
Ike

gervaso (28177) 2018-10-30 8:33

Hello, Gert!

Poor Pope, that must be all dirty by the pigeons, as every statue of the big cities... But it looks great with the pigeon on his hand, as if spreading a message of peace through the world, something we really need! The details were captured with perfect sharpness! Very good job!

GyurMaster (24840) 2018-10-31 13:36

Dear Gert,

I guess they should consider placing a statute pigeon, it looks very well on his hands. :)

Best Wishes,
Gy.

emka (158204) 2018-11-01 2:49

hello Gert, No doubt that the statue is real and the pigeon is real. We can see its pink beak and claws. And how nice of it that it didn't flow away. I usually like my cameras but not when they are so slow. I see the scene, I push the button and ... wait till it works. Often too long. I am glad that it is Pope Sergius and not you guess who. I like all three pictures, why you can't upload all of them as main ones? In Workshop photo, nice white angels on the towers.

Kind regards MAlgo

carlo62 (81265) 2018-11-01 14:43

Ciao Gert
hai fatto bene a dire che non si tratta di un artista, sono talmente bravi che è facile sbagliarsi con una statua vera.
Simpatica foto, del resto il papa utilizza spesso colombe da lanciare in segno di pace.
Belle anche le foto del ws, la n.2 mi piace molto.
Saluti
Carlo

COSTANTINO (116580) 2018-11-02 13:42

Hello dear Gert and have a nice time
and a happy new weekend
excellent timing with the pigeon
sitting on the hand of the statue
I liked very much your thoughts
as following I remember clearly how
I begged the pogeon not to fly away!!!!
a real picture for me!!!
original post
welldone and wellseen
regards
Costantino

worldcitizen (16104) 2018-11-02 16:45

Hello Gert,
It looks like the Pope's face is cracked! Maybe it's just a visual illusion... :-) That pigeon is just perfect; it's lucky he was perched on the Pope's hand for your photo. A simple subject became even more interesting because of this bird.

maloutim (13617) 2018-12-03 12:30

Or is it a dove, the symbol of Peace in the world ? Although I am not sure that popes were always the guarantors of Peace !!
All the same, it was a real coincidence, this bird sitting on the statue's hand, just for you to make a good photo :-) And the fact that it looks part of the statue, made in the same metal, adds interest to the picture.
Have a good night.
Marie-Louise.

LuisGustavoLima (5184) 2019-02-08 17:58

Hi Gert!

It's good to see you again! Que foto legal! Interessante a pomba ser justamente branca e ter parado na mão da estátua do papa haha! O foco está excelente, podemos ver nitidamente as marcas que o tempo deixou na estátua. Bom ângulo e bom enquadramento também!

Ficou legal!

Miguel82 (47110) 2019-07-15 14:41

Gert, this is a real pigeon perched on the statue. It was built in tribute to a former Pope. Remarkable artwork seen around Palermo cathedral. Good pov, perfect sharpness.