venus in the west

source: section of the omega or swan nebula, hubble telescope, via hubblesite.org.

the umayyad mosque was built on the site of a christian basilica after the muslim conquest of damascus. inside the mosque stands a shrine that may still hold the head of saint john the baptist, and the tomb of saladin stands in an adjoining garden. it is the among the most holy sites in islam.

source: "faded laurels," date unknown, edmund blair leighton, via the-athenaeum.org.

source: summer flowers in oregon city, july 2012, thom zehrfeld.

source: "salomé," alexandre-georges-henri regnault, 1870, via the metropolitan museum of art, new york city.

this box is thought to have belonged to anne of austria, queen consort to louis xiii of france from 1615 to 1643. its origin is unknown, but presumably, it is the work of a parisian goldsmith.

source: "fire in stone," lower antelope canyon, arizona, erik harrison.

source: writing desk and bookshelves in coco chanel's paris apartment, via thecoveteur.com.

source: "purple haze" from the edge series, mikko lagerstedt, 2012.

source: sunset over the mediterranean at malta, via gozoandmalta.com

and i can hardly breathe for the thought.

source: saint peter's basilica," paul timpa, via timpaphotography.com

cherubs in saint peter's basilica with view of high altar and bernini's baldacchino in background.