Tag: #MinoltaXG7

Thursday Trios: 2026 September 24

The Three Graces

The Three Graces is a popular subject in classical art. The Three Graces have roots in Greek mythology, where they were known as the Charites. The Charites (known in Roman mythology as the Graces) were three goddesses who personified the ideas of beauty, grace, festivity, and joyous life in Greek mythology. They are often depicted embracing, as seen here, representing the unity and cyclical nature of giving and receiving.

The Three Graces
Hearst Castle
San Simeon, California

Antonio Canova, the renowned Neoclassical sculptor, created his famous version between 1813 and 1817. His interpretation is celebrated for its exquisite craftsmanship and the way it conveys emotion and movement in the figures. There are two versions of Canova’s “The Three Graces”; one of which is at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, and the other is at the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg.

The Three Graces

This version of the “The Three Graces” located at Hearst Castle is a beautiful reproduction. It was selected by William Randolph Hearst to adorn his magnificent estate, tying into the classical grandeur he had desired to achieve.

Close-up of “The Three Graces”

William Randolph Hearst was an avid collector of art and antiquities, as well as classical sculptures like this one were a cornerstone of his collection, adorning the many gardens and grand rooms of his estate. It is truly a remarkable piece of sculpture to see as you tour the grounds of the Hearst Castle estate.

Click on each image to enlarge. 

Carol’s Thursday Trios-2026.09.24

Photo Credit: Copyright ©️1979 Nornal H. Waters … All Rights Reserved. 

Camera: Minolta XG-7 35 mm

Location: Hearst Castle; San Simeon, California, USA

God Bless. Get Outdoors. Take a Walk/Hike. Enjoy Nature’s Beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Monday Window – 2026.09.14

Kitty by a Window  – 
2 – AI creation by PR
Windows & Reflections

The Roman Pool at Hearst Castle is astonishing with its incredible mosaic tiles which were designed to evoke the feeling of ancient Roman and Greek baths. It is covered from floor to ceiling with eight types of mosaic tiles. Some of those tiles included elaborate designs depicting marine creatures and mythological figures.

Roman Pool
Hearst Castle
San Simeon, California

The Pool was created using more than a million glass and gold tiles which creates a beautiful shimmering effect. It was built for William Randolph Hearst by architect Julia Morgan. The construction of the Roman Pool was primarily undertaken during the late 1920s and early 1930s, culminating in its completion in 1934.

It is a stunning sight to see and learn about all the intricate design details and the length of time it took before completion. It’s amazing to see the reflections of the windows and statues captured by my dad with a 35 mm camera back in 1979.

Click on image to enlarge. 

Monday Window-2026.09.14

Monday Window 

Photo Credit: Copyright ©️ 1979Nornal H. Waters … All Rights Reserved. 

Camera: Minolta XG-7 35 mm

Location: Roman Pool; Hearst Castle; San Simeon, California, USA

God Bless. Stay Cool. Have a wonderful week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Monday Portrait – 2026 September Fourteenth (14th)

Naissance de Venus

The “Birth of Venus”
(Naissance de Venus) sculpture

Back in 1974 my family toured Hearst Castle in San Simeon, California. This trip was was approximately 5 1/2-6 hours long. The tour last around 60 to 75 minutes which doesn’t include the shuttle time from the visitors center to the hilltop. I’m not going to go into everything that is included in the tour for you to see. I’m only going to to tell you about the The “Birth of Venus”
(Naissance de Venus) sculpture located in the Neptune Pool.

The “Birth of Venus” (Naissance de Venus) sculpture is a 20th-century Carrara marble work created around 1930 by French sculptor Charles-Georges Cassou. The sculpture was commissioned by William Randolph Hearst in 1927. Charles Cassou’s original marble group was exhibited at the Paris Salon in 1930 prior to being installed on the lower terrace of the pool opposite the Roman temple façade.

The “Birth of Venus” (Naissance de Venus) sculpture depicts Venus, the Roman goddess of love and beauty, emerging from seafoam while balancing on a scalloped shell. Cassou’s Birth of Venus serves as a focal centrepiece in its own fountain alcove against the hillside background. It is set apart from the Roman temple façade which features an older 17th-century relief of Neptune and two tritons.

Click on image to enlarge. 

Monday Portrait-2026.09.14

Photo Credit:©️1974 Nornal H. Waters … All Rights Reserved. 

Camera: Minolta XG-7 35 mm

Location; The Neptune Pool; Hearst Castle; San Simeon, California, USA  

God Bless. Have a wonderful adventurous week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Wordless Wednesday — 2026 September 02

Historic
Great Falls
High School

The Historic Great Falls High School in Great Falls, South Carolina was built in 1928. It’s a beautiful example of early 20th-century school architecture, with its distinctive brick facade, large windows, and prominent central entrance. This was the building where my went to high school.. He was in the Class of 1947.

Click on image to enlarge.

Wordless Wednesday-2026.09.02

Photo Credit: Copyright ©️1963 Nornal H. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Location: Great Falls High School; Great Falls, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a lovely weekend filled with love, joy, and laughter. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

FOTD: 9/14

My entry for Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge come from my archives. It was taken back in April of 2013 with my Minolta XG7 35 mm camera.

False Garlic, NOTHOSCORDUM BIVALVE Lancaster, South Carolina

God Bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.