The stories of legend. Painted by Georgia O'Keeffe, photographed by Ansel Adams and other prominent artist of their times the San Francisco de Asis mission in Taos is one of the most beautiful structures still standing from the Spanish colonization of United States. Long a site I wanted to visit, we arrived on a beautiful Tuesday afternoon in October. We would be driving the High Road between Taos and Sante Fe the next morning so our window was short. I was surprised to find the parking lot nearly empty and only a few people milling about...perfect. With my patient wife in tow I was excited to finally see this architectural marvel with my own eyes and totally understood the greats fascination with the man-made wonder. The windowless back of the church with the autumn sunlight creating such subtle lines of contrast was inspirational. The is place IS a dream for the artist.....the beauty of San Francisco de Asis.

Tags: Ansel adams Church Architecture Black and white Historic building New mexico San francisco de asis mission Taos Georgia OKeefe

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