Almost the first thing I do when I enter a building is look up. There’s a world of different ceilings up there so for this post I have limited myself to painted ceilings.
Dragons fly around the ceiling of the Khai Dinh Royal Tomb in Hue, Vietnam.
Painted pattern on the ceiling of Ananda Temple in Bagan, Myanmar.
The vaulted Gothic ceiling of Hesdin Cathedral in France with subtly painted scenes of holy happenings. 
Brightly-painted ceiling in a temple in Bundi, India. 
Brightly-painted ceiling in a Hindu temple in Singapore. 
Painted ceiling in the Escher Museum in Den Haag, Holland. It almost looks as if it’s made of porcelain or enamel but I’m not sure they make ceilings out of such things! 
Orozco’s masterpiece “Man of Fire” on the domed ceiling of the Hospicio Cabañas in the colonial city of Guadalajara, Mexico. The Hospicio even has strategically-placed benches to lie on and look up in wonder. 
The interior dome of the Toledo Cathedral in Spain is painted with a heavenly scene ringed by sculptures of cherubs. 
Painted ceiling in the Ghent Train Station, Belgium.
Subtle paint high-lights the wooden ceiling featuring bat-like angels in the Stamford Church in England. 
The ceiling of the Geological Museum in Copenhagen, Denmark looks like something out of a movie set – I kept expecting a wizard to pop out at me. (Part of the city’s Museum of Natural History.)
More of Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: Look Up.
Albatz Travel Adventures 
I cannot help but think of the artists on their backs painting these masterpieces elizabeth. Beautiful post!
I hadn’t thought about that – it can’t be easy but it looks like a lot of artists did it…
Wonderful. I think painted ceilings are the best parts of many buildings. The colorful Asian ceiling are fabulous. I am so sad I missed the Geological Museum in Copenhagen when I was there. Your photo gives me a reason to go back. 🙂
And your posts give me reason to go back too – it’s always nice to have reasons to go back!
Amazing!
Thank you!
Really beautiful examples here. I really enjoyed them. Orozco is truly amazing.
I find Orozco’s work the most powerful of the Mexican muralists.
How wonderful! There is a different world contained in ceilings. Love this perspective. My yoga practice comes in handy, when I travel, as those backbends serve me well, when looking up. 🙂
Looks like I should be taking yoga so I won’t get so many neck cricks!
I highly recommend it. Works marvels for those odd shapes we sometimes bend our bodies into, just to get the perfect shot. 😉
Such an interesting challenge. Beautiful captures.
My mantra whenever I go anywhere is ‘Look up!’ and ‘Get in closer!’
Very amazing 🙂
Exploring the world never ceases to be amazing!
Beautiful! Michelangelo had a hard time – and so must all of these painters have had…
Beautiful! – Tina is right 🙂