(photograph © Kiwidutch)
There is another other sort of Portuguese Azulejo (tile) that don’t get the same publicity as their regular blue, white and yellow tile cousins.
These poor relations often appear in more than one colour, but feature the added bonus of being three dimensional, so they have an embossed sort of look.
When I first saw these kinds of tiles I have to admit that I didn’t think I liked them much, because close up the detail is often rather crude, even rather sloppy looking.
(and like any good detail fanatic I have to look close up). sigh, I was critical of the apparent lack of finish, but I’m learning that even detail fanatics have to take a step backwards some times, and learn to see the bigger picture.
They look so much less “crafted” then a lot of the regular flat tiles that Portugal is famous for and they definitely can’t compare with the delicate detail of the tiles that fit together to make stunning tile paintings.
But, over time these “different” tiles have grown on me.
Why? mostly because I’ve seen many buildings where these tiles look kind of strange, and rough when viewed close up and on their own, but when seen from a distance as a “whole” they can look amazing.
Add a little sunshine and shadow and these tiles show off their personality…
Actually when the sun shines on these they don’t just come to life… they party!
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
