“this artistic work does not in the least bit ‘prompt thought or contemplation’ for me”
The fault there lies not with the art, but with your education.
“So it does not serve purpose for me and those who might see it as I do...it is artistic work...nothing more.”
Ummm...art, religious or not, is supposed to prompt thought and contemplation, to strike a chord in a person’s soul.
Is it just religious art that leaves you cold, or all art?
“I thought I made it clear”
You did, and what you made clear was incorrect and insulting.
“I believe there is a sense of need”
Nope. It’s not need. It may be a desire to experience something good, but it is not required.
“As for the best disposition to pray...well the Lord and I have that worked out quite nicely”
Well, if your faith is never tested, if you never have a dry spell, then you are alone among all Christians.
“But I do think it can be an issue for those seen as kneeling before these objects of art...as if they are more than that....or showing some sort of affectionate behavior toward them, which has also been observed.”
The key words there are “seen as.” If a person sees it that way, that person is just plain wrong, plain and simple. It is not for Catholics to adjust; it is for such a person to do whatever is necessary to see it correctly.
“it is simply a choice I make for those quiet moments.”
Religious art is a choice I make for those quiet hours.
I did say thank you for the conversation...and I did say we obviously see from different perspectives....and I did explain my opinion and observations....as have you.
What “strikes chords of the soul” .....”prompts thought and contemplation”.... differs from one individual to another...and rightfully so. God generously gives us variety...in taste and style, as well as the ability to appreciate. But then...... He gave us choice.
Renassaunce art does not move me in the least nor do I choose it as a form of art I appreciate.... and that was the artistic work discussed. That does not mean one cannot appreciate the artists ability as interesting....but that is where it stops for me.
As for dry spells...of course this is where we walk entirely by faith alone often with a sense of aloness. No feelings, or might be in your case artistic moving of the soul, and the scriptures may seem as if they flatlined.
It is then trusting... even when everything might evidence otherwise...it is when we learn the depth of knowing.....’Him’....(As is written, “I KNOW who... I have believed in and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I’ve commited unto Him against that day”.)
He stretches us then... because... He has sat the bar of faith higher...but no higher than that which we cannot reach.