MICHELANGELO
"Pietà"
Posted on 04/02/2024 8:28:48 AM PDT by Hebrews 11:6
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I saw the Pieta at the New York State World's Fair (in the '60's)
What an incredible experience it was for little-boy-me!
To me, that is the most beautiful sculpture in the world.
It’s very beautiful.
A beautiful sculpture.
Did seeing it play a part in forming your faith, John?
Agreed.
Most Definitely. A BIG YES to that!
Out of a block of marble, Michelangelo’s virtuosity and superb technique brought to life a Pieta’ infused with silent sorrow, beauty, sadness, resignation. It is the only work by Michelangelo that has his name inscribed on the ribbon that traverses Mary’s torso.
A different but equally effective and dramatic is Franz von Stuck painting, full of misery and sorrow, the contrast between death and life.
Sunday's a-comin'.
I’m very much looking forward to hearing the full story of your conversion, John—either here-and-now, or in heaven. Even better: both.
Speaking of 'art', an interest of mine intersects with this. Speaking with people about the differences in poetry (active voice/you have to 'think'/visualize, etc.) and music (passive - sound enters ear, affects brain...can be active)...
I read a lot of "Western Civ"-type books, articles, etc.
I love poetry, and mostly am leery of music. The body likes equilibrium, homeostasis. Sweating when hot, shivering when cold, that sort of thing. Well, the mind, the emotions, want that too.
So when listening to "O Baby I Love You"/O Baby You left me" (most forms of modern music), the emotions 'harden' or callus, in order to flatten-out the highs & lows.
IOW, constant exposure to modern music - makes us less sensitive.
Imagine my astonishment when I read in Jacques Barzun's seminal work; "From Dawn To Decadence" (p 161)
“Many evil and depraved men misuse music as an excitant in order to plunge into earthly delights, instead of raising themselves by means of it to the contemplation of God and to praise His glories.”
Victoria (Greatest of Spanish 16C composers, whose works are uncommonly exciting). (1581)
Example here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bR3Es3dYgs4
For your pleasure, Dan, go to the 24 minute-mark.
Enjoy!
PS Note: this is from more than 400 years ago!
Thanks, John. El Greco, like you, was one-of-a-kind.
What many don’t know is that he created TWO of these.... what is called “The Original” is in Rome the other, I saw every day of my childhood as it was in The Nativity, a beautiful Cathedral in Brooklyn NY. The church is still there but was sold, to my knowledge it was being used as a warehouse. SAD
Obvious, self-evident genius of the highest order.
Michelangelo himself created two? Or did an assistant fashion a copy?
That I don’t know, wouldn’t surprise me though.
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