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| Exterior with dome and clock |
From the outside Whitley church doesn't really look all that special. It seems very much to be in keeping with the house, but the gold dome and clock, although beautiful, don't scream special.
Inside is a different story. The church was built with the monies and ideas of the Foley family, and so it much more so than the old photographs, highlights just how sad the lost of their home to the fire was. It must have been just as beautiful.
The church has one of the countries, if not the worlds, finest 18th century interiors. These photographs only hint at the great beauty. Everything is so ornate, a delightful mix of Baroque and Rococo styles. The work has been done by some of the finest artisans of the time, in every case. Paintings, carvings, glass, nothing has been scrimped on. The Foley family certainly had style and an eye for beauty.
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| The alter view |
The painted panels are by the great painter Antonio Bellucci.
The ornate wooden pulpit was the work of the sculptor James Forsyth, whilst the magnificent marble font is the work of his brother William Forsyth, and are my particular favourite. Between then the lectern and all the pews were carved.
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| Main fresco |
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| Pulpit detail |
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| One of the marble angels supporting the font |
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| Foley family memorial |
The many stained glass windows were the work of Joshua Price, who worked on them between 1718 and 1721, and they are considered to be the best collection of his work in existence.
For me however it was the Musee Picasso, which is an art museum with 150 works of art by Picasso, and also art by a number of other artists. The museum is in the Chateau Grimaldi, which was built in the 12th century. 
Picasso lived there and found the light and peace of the area particularly beneficial to painting, which is why he was so prolific during this period. 
My favourite picture was a lively yellow painting of rather cheerful looking goats. Called Tete de faune en spirale avec trois figures marginales, which was produces in October 1946. I wasn't able to take any pictures of the paintings as it is not allowed, however you were allowed to take photos of the sculptures outside which is what accompanies this blog. 
