German photographer Markus Brunetti has spent the last 10 years embracing the nomadic lifestyle, travelling Western Europe in his truck and documenting the faades of churches, cathedrals, and cloisters that he encounters throughout the continent. The resulting collection of photographs, aptly titled FAADES, is a stunning display of the intricate details within these ancient structures, documented through photos that bring to mind the original architect’s drawings.
Brunetti uses a labor-intensive, time-consuming process to produce his large-scale photographs. He shoots each structure from top to bottom and then compiles a large number of frames to create a singular profile shot. The results of these efforts are hyperrealistic portraits of each faade, stripped of modern day obstructions and captured with ideal lighting. His images suggest a three-dimensional quality that allow for comparison and examination of the structures through his precise recordings of the architectural details. These photographic equivalents of elevation drawings are vivid re-imaginings of the original architectural ideal behind the buildings and seem to enhance the power and wealth that the spectacular structures exude.
The towering portraits, often up to ten feet tall, provide a glimpse into a cultural history, and serve to highlight ancient design. FAADES was recently on display at the Yossi Milo Gallery in New York City.
Markus Brunetti: Website
Yossi Milo Gallery: Website
via [Creative Boom]