Friday 15 May 2009

The British Museum


The British Museum's Great Court

The Great Court at the British Museum is something to marvel at once you step into the British Museum. In December of 2000, Her Majesty the Queen conducted the formal opening of the Queen Elizabeth II Great Court. It is two square acres, enclosed by a magnificent glass ceiling. The Great Court increased public space in the Museum by forty per cent, allowing visitors to move freely around the Main floor for the first time in 150 years and visitors can now choose from a number of different approaches to the galleries. The first thing that I noticed as I walked into the Great Court was the spiraling staircase that leads your gaze up toward the incredible ceiling. The Great Court's glass and steel ceiling is more than just a ceiling, I find that it's like another piece on display in the museum. It's design is reminiscent of a jigsaw puzzle. The Great Court is a wonderful part of the British Museum, I especially enjoy the Roman style features within the the museum.

The Battle of Lapiths and Centaurs
In my various visits to the British Museum, I always make my way to the Parthenon Room. Ancient Greece has always been quite intriguing. The metopes that depict the "battle of Lapiths and Centuars," were interesting. The Centaurs have faces with animal features, and are armed with tree branches while the Lapiths fight nude, some armed with a sword. Each piece depict a different part of the battle. Despite their damage, the sequence of sculptures is a great piece of art.

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