Night Falls on British Parliament

Years ago on my first trip to London, the moment when I really knew I was really in London, the city I had dreamed of seeing was when I looked down... more

by Mark Tisdale

Title

Night Falls on British Parliament

Artist

Mark Tisdale

Medium

Photograph - Photo Art

Description

Years ago on my first trip to London, the moment when I really knew I was really in London, the city I had dreamed of seeing was when I looked down the street and saw the clock tower that houses Big Ben rising above the sky line. And on my last trip (so far) to that lovely city on the Thames, the first place I found myself was walking along the south bank of the Thames in order to see the Victorian Gothic Beauty of Westminster Palace where the British Parliament meets.

There's just so much history packed into the banks of the Thames. Most of the original Palace of Wesminster burned in a 19th century fire. It was rebuilt in the Victorian Gothic style of architecture. Basically this period is a romanticized version of Medieval Gothic. It's not quite the same as true Medieval architecture but it definitely is inspired by it and London is filled with examples of it.

Since I've last been to London, they re-named the tower that houses Big Ben to the Elizabeth Tower in honor of the Queen. Many people will long after still refer to it informally as Big Ben (which is actually the bell), but it's still quite an honorable tribute. And the Elizabeth Tower has to be one of the most iconic structures on Earth. Around the world, I have no doubt many people would recognize it!

This particular photo-based artwork is something of a romanticized version of my memory of standing on the banks of London on my last night there. As my last night in London fell, I knew it was time to pack up and bid the city farewell. I felt then and still feel it wasn't my last time, but this is my love letter to London. Until next time.

Uploaded

April 29th, 2013