Phespirit goes to Italy
Cattolica     May 2007

REVELATION

This mosaic is centrepiece to the ceiling of the Arian Baptistry in Ravenna. It shows an anthropomorphic 'River Jordan' and a naked Jesus with John the Baptist. It was the first time Phespirit had seen the penis of Christ.

Peter Cook once mused: "They say he was half human and half god but which half was human? I bet it was the bottom half."

LAMENTATION

The shrieking figures of Maria di Cleofa and Maria Maddalena are part of the Nicolò dell' Arca terracotta ensemble, 'Lament over the Dead Christ', stationed in Santa Maria della Vita church, Bologna.

It is an intense, howling, horrified lament.

INUNDATION

Phespirit was caught in a sudden hailstorm as he walked around the Albornoz Fortress on the high ground of Urbino.

He sheltered under this wishing well, sitting on the wall with his legs across the grille.

He wished the lightning would stop.