Wednesday 26 November 2014
The Sistine Chapel Ceiling. An Artistic Vision Without Precedent. (Part Two).
Text and Illustrations from Wikipedia - the free encyclopaedia,
unless otherwise stated.
English: The Prophet Daniel,
by Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475–1564).
The Ceiling of The Sistine Chapel.
Русский: Пророк Даниил, Роспись свода Сикстинской капеллы.
Date: 27 June 2007.
Source: Электронная библиотека. Музеи Ватикана.
(Wikimedia Commons)
The upper level of the walls contains the windows, between which are painted pairs of illusionistic Niches, with representations of the first thirty-two Popes. A draft, by Matteo d'Amelia, indicates that The Ceiling was painted Blue, like that of the Arena Chapel, and decorated with Gold Stars, possibly representing the zodiacal constellations.
It is probable that, because the Chapel was the site of regular meetings and Masses of an elite body of officials, known as the Papal Chapel, who would observe the decorations and interpret their Theological and Temporal significance, it was Pope Julius' intention and expectation that the iconography of the Ceiling was to be read with many layers of meaning.
The Sistine Chapel Ceiling.
Photo: August 2008.
Source: Own work.
Author: Patrick Landy (FSU Guy).
(Wikimedia)
The scheme, proposed by the Pope, was for twelve large figures of the Apostles to occupy the Pendentives [Editor: Pendentive: A Spherical Triangle which acts as a transition between a Circular Dome and a Square Base, on which the Dome is set]. However, Michelangelo negotiated for a grander, much more complex, scheme, and was finally permitted, in his own words, "to do as I liked".
His scheme for the Ceiling eventually comprised some 300 figures and took four years to execute, being completed in 1512. It is unknown, and is the subject of much speculation among art historians, as to whether Michelangelo was really able to "do as he liked". It has been suggested that Egidio da Viterbo was a Consultant for the Theology. Many writers consider that Michelangelo had the intellect, the Biblical knowledge, and the powers of invention, to have devised the scheme himself. This is supported by Condivi's statement that Michelangelo read and re-read The Old Testament, while he was painting The Ceiling, drawing his inspiration from the words of Scripture, rather than from the established traditions of Sacral Art. There was a total of 343 figures painted on The Ceiling.
Arches (left and right), Dome (top), and Pendentive (centre), in Moscow Cathedral.
Interior of Cathedral of Christ The Saviour, Moscow, Russia.
Photo: 29 June 2004.
Author: de:Benutzer:Sansculotte
(Wikimedia Commons)
Only half the building was scaffolded at a time and the platform was moved as the painting was done in stages. The areas of the wall covered by the scaffolding still appear as unpainted areas across the bottom of the Lunettes. The holes were re-used to hold scaffolding in the latest Restoration.
Contrary to popular belief, he painted in a standing position, not lying on his back. According to Vasari: "The work was carried out in extremely uncomfortable conditions, from his having to work with his head tilted upwards". Michelangelo described his physical discomfort in a humorous sonnet accompanied by a little sketch.
The painting technique employed was fresco, in which the paint is applied to damp plaster. Michelangelo had been apprenticed in the workshop of Domenico Ghirlandaio, one of the most competent and prolific of Florentine fresco painters, at the time that the latter was employed on a fresco cycle at Santa Maria Novella, and whose work was represented on the walls of The Sistine Chapel. At the outset, the plaster, intonaco, began to grow mold, because it was too wet. Michelangelo had to remove it and start again. He then tried a new formula created by one of his assistants, Jacopo l'Indaco, which resisted mold, and entered the Italian building tradition.
The location of the scaffolding is evident on this Lunette in The Sistine Chapel.
Note the unpainted area at the bottom.
Date: 1509.
Source: Web Gallery of Art[1]
Author: Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475–1564).
(Wikimedia Commons)
Here, Michelangelo broke with convention. Once confident the intonaco had been well applied, he drew directly onto the Ceiling. His energetic sweeping outlines can be seen scraped into some of the surfaces, while, on others, a grid is evident, indicating that he enlarged directly onto the Ceiling from a small drawing.
Michelangelo painted onto the damp plaster using a wash technique to apply broad areas of colour, then, as the surface became drier, he revisited these areas with a more linear approach, adding shade and detail with a variety of brushes. For some textured surfaces, such as facial hair and wood-grain, he used a broad brush with bristles as sparse as a comb. He employed all the finest workshop methods and best innovations, combining them with a diversity of brushwork and breadth of skill far exceeding that of the meticulous Ghirlandaio.
Sistine Chapel Ceiling fresco, by Michelangelo.
The evidence of the plaster, laid for a day's work, can be seen around the head and arm of this Ignudo [Editor: "The Ignudi" is the phrase coined by Michelangelo to describe the twenty seated male nudes he incorporated into The Sistine Chapel Ceiling frescoes. Therefore, "Ignudo" is singular. "Ignudi" is plural.]
Date: 1509.
Source: Web Gallery of Art[1]
Author: Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475–1564).
(Wikimedia Commons)
The bright colours, and broad, cleanly defined outlines, make each subject easily visible from the floor. Despite the height of The Ceiling, the proportions of The Creation of Adam are such that, when standing beneath it, "it appears as if the viewer could simply raise a finger and meet those of God and Adam".
Vasari tells us that the Ceiling is "unfinished", that its unveiling occurred before it could be re-worked with Gold Leaf and vivid Blue Lapis Lazuli, as was customary with frescoes, and in order to better link the Ceiling with the walls below it, which were highlighted with a great deal of Gold. But this never took place, in part because Michelangelo was reluctant to set up the scaffolding again, and probably also because the Gold, and particularly the intense Blue, would have distracted from his painted conception.
Some areas were, in fact, decorated with Gold: The Shields, between the Ignudi, and the Columns, between the Prophets and Sibyls. It seems very likely that the gilding of the Shields was part of Michelangelo's original scheme, since they are painted to resemble a certain type of Parade Shield, a number of which still exist and are decorated in a similar style with Gold.
A Sistine Chapel fresco, by Michelangelo.
The image of God in the Act of Creation was painted in a single day,
and reflects Michelangelo, himself, in the act of creating the Ceiling.
Date: 1509.
Source: Web Gallery of Art[1]
Author: Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475–1564).
(Wikimedia Commons)
The main components of the design are nine scenes from The Book of Genesis, of which five smaller ones are each framed and supported by four naked youths or Ignudi. At either end, and beneath the scenes, are the figures of twelve men and women who prophesied The Birth of Jesus. On the crescent-shaped areas, or Lunettes, above each of the Chapel's windows, are Tablets listing the Ancestors of Christ and accompanying figures. Above them, in the triangular Spandrels, a further eight groups of figures are shown, but these have not been identified with specific Biblical characters. The scheme is completed by four large corner Pendentives, each illustrating a dramatic Biblical story.
The narrative elements, of the Ceiling, illustrate that God made the World as a Perfect Creation and put Humanity into it, that Humanity fell into disgrace and was punished by death and by separation from God. Humanity then sank further into sin and disgrace, and was punished by The Great Flood. Through a lineage of Ancestors – from Abraham to Joseph – God sent The Saviour of Humanity, Christ Jesus.
The coming of The Saviour was prophesied by Prophets of Israel and Sibyls of the Classical world. The various components of the Ceiling are linked to this Christian Doctrine. Traditionally, the Old Testament was perceived as a pre-figuring of the New Testament. Many incidents and characters, of the Old Testament, were commonly understood as having a direct symbolic link to some particular aspect of The Life of Jesus, or to an important element of Christian Doctrine, or to a Sacrament, such as Baptism or The Eucharist. Jonah, for example, was readily recognisable by his attribute of the large fish, and was commonly seen to symbolise Jesus' Death and Resurrection.
PART THREE FOLLOWS
Tuesday 25 November 2014
The Mystery Of Advent. Part One.
Text taken from The Liturgical Year by Abbot Gueranger, O.S.B.
(Translated from the French by Dom Laurence Shepherd, O.S.B.)
Advent. Volume 1. St. Bonaventure Publications, www.libers.com
Originally published 1949.
Republished by St. Bonaventure Publications, July 2000.
Illustrations are taken from Wikipedia - the free encyclopaedia,
unless otherwise stated.
Advent wreath.
First Sunday of Advent.
First Sunday of Advent.
Photo: November 2008.
Source: Own work.
Author: Micha L. Rieser.
(Wikimedia Commons)
CHAPTER THE SECOND
The Mystery of Advent
If, now that we have described the characteristic features of Advent which distinguish it from the rest of The Liturgical Year, we would penetrate into the profound Mystery which occupies the mind of The Church during this Season, we find that this Mystery of the Coming, or Advent, of Jesus is at once simple and threefold.
It is simple, for it is the one same Son of God that is Coming; it is threefold, because He comes at three different times and in three different ways.
'In the First Coming,' says Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, 'He comes in The Flesh and in Weakness; in the Second, He comes in Spirit and in Power; in the Third, He comes in Glory and in Majesty; and the Second Coming is the means whereby we pass from The First to The Third.' [Fifth Sermon for Advent.]
Deutsch: Weihnachtsbeleuchtung der Hauptstraße
in Remshalden-Geradstetten, Deutschland; Nachtaufnahme.
English: Christmas Lighting
in Remshalden-Geradstetten, Germany.
Photo: January 2008.
Source: Own work.
Author: Wildfeuer.
(Wikimedia Commons)
This, then, is the Mystery of Advent. Let us now listen to the explanation of this threefold visit of Christ, given to us by Peter of Blois, in his third Sermon de Adventu: 'There are three Comings of Our Lord; the First in The Flesh; the Second in The Soul; the Third at The Judgement.
The First was at Midnight, according to those words of the Gospel: At Midnight, there was a cry made, Lo the Bridegroom Cometh ! But this First Coming is long since past, for Christ has been seen on the Earth and has conversed with men.
English: Illuminated Christmas Tree for the “Quiet Advent” on the Johannes-Brahms-Promenade, Western Bay, in Pörtschach am Wörthersee, District Klagenfurt Land, Carinthia, Austria.
Deutsch: Erleuchteter Weihnachtsbaum für „Stiller Advent“ an der Johannes-Brahms-Promenade, West-Bucht in Pörtschach am Wörthersee, Bezirk Klagenfurt Land, Kärnten, Österreich
Photo: December 2011.
Source: Own work.
Author: Johann Jaritz.
(Wikimedia Commons)
We are now in the Second Coming, provided only we are such as that He may thus come to us; for He has said that if we love Him, He will come unto us and will take up His abode with us. So that this Second Coming is full of uncertainty to us: For who, save The Spirit of God, knows them that are of God ?
They that are raised out of themselves by the desire of Heavenly things, know indeed when He Comes; but whence He Cometh, or whither He Goeth, they know not.
PART TWO FOLLOWS
The Agony And The Ecstasy. Saint Thomas More Church, Upper East Side, Manhattan, New York.
Stained-Glass Window in the Apse of
Saint Thomas More Church,
Upper East Side, Manhattan,
New York.
Illustration:
THE AGONY AND THE ECSTASY.
After the wonderful news that The Church of The Holy Innocents, New York, had been saved from demolition, the following News has arrived, reference Saint Thomas More Church, Upper East Side, Manhattan.
We told you it was a little premature to break out the champagne. We have now had a report that St Thomas More parish on the Upper East Side will be closed and its parishioners “invited” to join St Ignatius Loyola and its Jesuits:
“Gasps were heard and tears were seen when Pastor Kevin Madigan informed parishioners this past Sunday at each Mass that their church was likely to close next August. It was a stunning blow for the vibrant church community that had received numerous assurances that St. Thomas More Catholic Church was safe.
St. Thomas More serves a highly affluent family community on Manhattan’s Upper East Side with regular Masses, as well as with many informative and noteworthy events. The church is free of debt and its operations are financially sound.”
In a way it is poetic justice, for St. Thomas More was established to offer an alternative to Jesuit dominance of the wealthiest neighborhood of New York City. I doubt anyone could have imagined that such a parish would be closed. but it continues a emerging pattern of the liquidation of smaller parishes (Our Lady of Peace, St. Elizabeth of Hungary have been announced; others have been rumored) in some quite well-to-do areas of the city. Areas with correspondingly high real estate values….
The Church of Saint Thomas More, Upper East Side, is part of a Roman Catholic Church complex located on East 89th Street, off Madison Avenue, the Upper East Side, in Manhattan, New York City. The Parish is under the authority of the Archdiocese of New York.
Attached to the complex is the Church (1870), a Single-Cell Chapel (1879), a Rectory (1880), and a Parish House (1893). The Church building was built, in 1870, for the Protestant Episcopal Church, as the Chapel of The Beloved Disciple, in the Gothic Revival architectural style.
originally owned by The Protestant Episcopal Church
as The Chapel of The Beloved Disciple.
Photo: 22 December 2009.
Source: Own work.
Author: Jim.henderson
(Wikimedia Commons)
Under various names, the Church building has been used by three Christian denominations, including Episcopalians, Dutch Reformed, and Catholics. It is the second-oldest Church on the Upper East Side.
The Church was built from Sandstone, from Nova Scotia, Canada, in 1870, to a design by the architectural firm of Hubert & Pirsson. Architectural historian and New York Times journalist Christopher Gray wrote that: "The Gothic-Style building has the air of a picturesque English Country Church, with a Plot of Green in front and a Square Tower rising in front of the Sanctuary.
According to Andrew S. Dolkart, an architectural historian specialising in Church design, the building is closely modelled after Edward Buckton Lamb's Church of Saint Martin's, Gospel Oak, London (see Gospel Oak), built in 1865. 'It has almost every little quirky detail of the London Church,' says Mr. Dolkart. 'The chamfered corners, the varying planes of the façade, the asymmetrical Pinnacle at the top of the Tower. It really captures your attention.'"
Saint Martin's Church,
Gospel Oak, London.
According to Andrew S. Dolkart, architectural historian (see, above),
Saint Thomas More Church, Upper East Side, is closely modelled
after this Church of Saint Martin, London.
This London Church was described by Nikolaus Pevsner as the
craziest of London's Victorian Churches', adorned, as it was,
with Pinnacles, like some Fairy-Tale Castle.
The Church was built in 1865.
Illustration: THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND
The Church was renovated, in the latter half of the 20th-Century, by architect Paul Cornelius Reilly.
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was a Parishioner here until her death. However, her funeral was held at the nearby Church of Saint Ignatius of Loyola because of the number of attendees. On 30 July 1999, after the death and cremation of John F. Kennedy, Jr., the Kennedy family held a Private Memorial Service for him here, which President Clinton attended, and Senator Ted Kennedy gave the Eulogy.
Saint Catharine Of Alexandria. Virgin And Martyr. Patroness Of Philosophers, Scholars, Orators, Lawyers. Feast Day 25 November.
Text from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,
unless otherwise stated.
Saint Catharine of Alexandria.
Virgin and Martyr.
Feast Day 25 November.
Double.
Red Vestments.
Note: "Catharine" can also be spelled "Catherine".
Saint Catharine of Alexandria.
Image: ALL SAINTS
"The illustrious Virgin, Catharine," says The Roman Breviary, "was born at Alexandria. Having, from youth, combined the study of the liberal arts with the ardour of Faith, she soon rose to high perfection, both in Doctrine and in Holiness, and, at the age of eighteen, she surpassed the most learned.
"She rebuked the Emperor Maximian for tormenting the Christians, and he, filled with admiration for her learning, assembled from all parts the most learned men, to bring her over from The Faith of Jesus to the worship of idols. The contrary happened, for several were converted to Christianity by the cogency of her arguments."
Maximian then ordered her to be scourged with rods and with whips weighted with lead. Then he had her tied to wheels armed with sharp swords. But the machine broke down and the tyrant caused her to be beheaded.
Christian philosophers, scholars, orators and lawyers honour her as their Patroness.
Mount Sinai, where the body of Saint Catharine was carried by Angels, is also the place where God's ministering Angels brought His law to Moses.
Let us, with The Church, invoke the intercession of Saint Catharine, so that we may reach Jesus, the Law-Giver of our Souls (Collect).
Mass: Loquébar.
Portrait of Catharine of Alexandria.
Artist: Bernardino Luini.
Date: 16th-Century.
Source: National Art Museum of Azerbaijan.
Author: Bernardino Luini (1485–1532).
(Wikimedia Commons)
Book VI.
Volume 15.
Saint Gertrude The Great, from her very infancy, felt a special attraction towards the glorious Virgin, Saint Catharine. As she was desirous of knowing how great were her merits, Our Lord showed her Saint Catharine seated on a throne, so lofty and so magnificent, that it seemed her glory was sufficient to have filled The Courts of Heaven, had she been its sole queen; while, from her Crown, a marvellous brightness was reflected on her devout clients [Legatus divinae pietatis, iv. 57].
It is well known how The Maid of Orleans (Saint Joan of Arc), entrusted by Saint Michael to the guidance of Saint Catharine and Saint Margaret, received aid and counsel from them during seven years; and how it was, at Sainte-Catherine-de-Fierbois, France, that she received her sword.
In the 12th-Century and the 13th-Century, the Crusaders of the West experienced the powerful assistance of The Alexandrian Martyr; and, on their return from the East, they introduced her cultus, which soon became extremely popular.
English: Catholic Church of Saint Catharine.
Saint Petersburg, Russia.
Русский: Санкт-Петербург, Россия. Невский проспект.
Католическая церковь св. Екатерины.
Photo: 1 June 2012.
Source: Own work.
(Wikimedia Commons)
An Order of Knighthood was founded to protect the Pilgrims visiting her Holy Body on Mount Sinai. Her Feast was raised to the Rank of First-Class and, as observed, was a Holyday of Obligation by many Churches.
She was honoured as Patroness by Christian philosophers, scholars, orators, and attorneys. The Senior Advocate was called bastonier, because it was his privilege to carry her Banner, while Confraternities of young girls were formed under the invocation of Saint Catharine, whose Members vied with one another in their zeal for adorning her venerated image.
She was classed among The Helping Saints (Auxiliary Saints. There being Fourteen Auxiliary Saints), as being a Wise Counsellor; and was claimed as Patroness by various Associations, merely on account of their experience of her powerful intercession with Our Lord. Her betrothal with The Divine Child, and other scenes from her legend, furnished Christian art with many beautiful inspirations.
English: Cathedral of Saint Catharine
(Se Cathedral), Goa, India.
Portuguese: Sé Catedral de Santa Catarina.
Konkani: Bhagevont Katerinachi Katedral.
Photo: 16 August 2012.
Source: Own work.
Author: Abhiomkar.
(Wikimedia Commons)
The Sé Catedral de Santa Catarina, known as Se Cathedral, is the Cathedral of the
Latin Rite Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Goa and Daman and the Seat of
the Patriarch of the East Indies.
Located in Old Goa, India, the largest Church in India is dedicated to
Saint Catharine of Alexandria. It is one of the oldest and most celebrated Religious Buildings in Goa and is one of the largest Churches in Asia.
Latin Rite Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Goa and Daman and the Seat of
the Patriarch of the East Indies.
Located in Old Goa, India, the largest Church in India is dedicated to
Saint Catharine of Alexandria. It is one of the oldest and most celebrated Religious Buildings in Goa and is one of the largest Churches in Asia.
The holy and learned Baronius regretted that, even in his day, the Acts of the Great Oriental Martyr (Saint Catharine) were open to discussion on certain points, which were eagerly seized upon by the extreme critics of the succeeding Centuries, in order to lessen popular devotion towards her.
There remains, however, this glory to Christian Virginity, that, in the person of Saint Catharine, it was honoured by pupils and masters and became the guiding spirit in the development of human thought during the Centuries, illustrated by such brilliant Suns of Learning as Albert the Great, Thomas Aquinas, and Bonaventure.
'Blessed are the Clean of Heart, for they shall see God.' Methodius, a Bishop and Martyr of the 3rd-Century, thus speaks in his 'Banquet of Virgins': 'The Virgin must have a very great love of sound Doctrine; and she ought to hold an honourable place among the wise.'
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The Sistine Chapel Ceiling. An Artistic Vision Without Precedent. (Part One).
Text and Illustrations from Wikipedia - the free encyclopaedia,
unless otherwise stated.
Section of The Sistine Chapel Ceiling.
This File: 2 September 2013.
User: Amandajm.
(Wikimedia Commons)
English: Ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.
Українська: Сикстинська каплиця.
Date: 4 травня 2010.
Source: власне фото (by Qypchak).
Author: Мікеланджело; Michelangelo.
(Wikimedia Commons)
The Libyan Sibyl,
Date: 1508-1512.
From the Ceiling of The Sistine Chapel.
Source: CGFA.
(Wikimedia Commons)
The Ceiling is that of The Sistine Chapel, the large Papal Chapel, built within The Vatican between 1477 and 1480 by Pope Sixtus IV, whose namesake The Chapel is. It was painted at the Commission of Pope Julius II. The Chapel is the location for Papal Conclaves and many important Services.
The Ceiling's various painted elements form part of a larger scheme of decoration within The Chapel: Including the large fresco, The Last Judgment, on the Sanctuary Wall, also by Michelangelo; Wall Paintings by several leading painters of the Late-15th-Century, including Sandro Botticelli, Domenico Ghirlandaio and Pietro Perugino; and a set of Large Tapestries, by Raphael, the whole illustrating much of the Doctrine of The Catholic Church.
Sistine Chapel.
The Hands of God and Adam,
from "The Creation of Adam"
(above and below)
Fresco by Michelangelo,
Date: 1509.
Source/Photographer: Web Gallery of Art[1]
Author: Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475–1564).
The complex design includes several sets of individual figures, both clothed and nude, which allowed Michelangelo to fully demonstrate his skill in creating a huge variety of poses for the human figure, and have provided an enormously influential pattern book of models for other artists ever since.
Pope Julius II was a "Warrior Pope", who, in his Papacy, undertook an aggressive campaign for political control, to unite and empower Italy under the leadership of The Church. He invested in symbolism to display his temporal power, such as his procession, in the Classical manner, through a Triumphal Arch in a chariot, after one of his many military victories. It was Julius who began the rebuilding of Saint Peter's Basilica in 1506, as the most potent symbol of the source of Papal power.
Portrait of Pope Julius II.
Painter: Raphael (1483–1520).
Current location: National Gallery, London.
Source/Photographer: National Gallery, London.
(Wikimedia Commons)
PART TWO FOLLOWS
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