Sunday 27 May 2012

House of Faces, or “Maison des Têtes" in Colmar

The House of Faces or “Maison des Têtes” was built in 1609 in is still in exceptional condition for such an old house. In 1902 the famous sculpture artist of Colmar, Bartholdi added a statue of an Alsacian barrel-maker on top of the crown of the house. The faces of dogs and people are in extreme detail so that the expressions and emotions are clearly visible. The facade of the house has a brown orange colour but when you walk to the back of the house, you get a totally different view of a white facade with wooden elements. For me this is the most impressive house of Colmar.

Het huis van gezichten of “Maison des Têtes” werd gebouwd in 1609 en is nog steeds in een uitzonderlijke staat voor zo’n oud huis. In 1902 heeft de beroemde beeldhouwer van Colmar, Bartholdi een standbeeld van de Elzas vatenmaker op de kroon van het dak toegevoegd. De gezichten van honden en mensen zijn zo gedetailleerd dat je expressies en emoties duidelijk kan zien. De gevel is in een bruin oranje kleur en als je naar de achterkant wandelt krijg je een totaal ander zicht. Een witte gevel met bruin houten elementen die zo typisch zijn voor Colmar. Voor mij is dit het meest indrukwekkende huis van Colmar.. 
 
Maison des Têtes Colmar

Maison des Têtes Colmar

Maison des Têtes Colmar

Maison des Têtes Colmar

Maison des Têtes Colmar

Maison des Têtes Colmar

Maison des Têtes Colmar

Maison des Têtes Colmar

Maison des Têtes Colmar

Previous Colmar article: Saint Martin’s church or “Collégiale Saint-Martin” in Colmar

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13 comments:

  1. Due erker is prachtig, Filip, met al die kopjes... !
    Lie(f)s.

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  2. Incredible architecture - when you consider the work that has gone into making those wonderful terracotta faces and shapes, and the fact that it is over 400 years old is remarkable, they look so pristine. Lovely to see - Colmar is obviously a place to visit.

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  3. Hi Filip,
    this is really a very impressive house and a surprise to see the very different back side. Would be nice to sit there and have a cup of coffee.
    Liebe Grüße,
    Pia

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  4. aww, your architecture photography is really stunning!
    what an impressive and interesting building!
    gorgeous shots, you did capture them at nice angles.

    hope you're enjoying your weekend!


    p.s. i always love reading your wonderful comments!

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  5. I love architectural details. So beautiful and so impressive.

    Greetings, Carmen

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  6. Very nice buildings!
    Have a great day ya!

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  7. Very interesting and nice house.

    Ciao
    Stefano

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  8. Oh this is one place that is lodged deeply in my heart. If I were to travel to one place just for a building as finely crafted as this...it would be here! Animals and people ....stunning artwork indeed!

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  9. Plenty of "tetes" there, that's for sure!
    I also love that timbered building in the last shot. What a cute town.

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  10. Oh my, this is one of the strangest houses I have have seen!!! I hope you saw my comment from yesterday, I was extremely late in commenting.

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  11. Wat een heel knappe stad. Zal nog eens op verkenning moeten :)

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  12. Amazing colors and detail on this building. Very lovely

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