“The blessing hands of Christ are like a roof that protects us. But at the same time, they are a gesture of opening up, tearing the world open so that heaven my enter in, may become "present" within it.” ― Pope Benedict XVI,
The Creation of Adam by Michelangelo, 1511 ca.
Detail of The Calling of St. Matthew by Caravaggio
Detail of La Pieta by Michelangelo 1498-99 Venus and Mars by Sandro Botticelli, 1483
The grace of the moment and of art studies, as well as a contemplative spirit has prompted me to write the following...blessed be God forever.
In the first painting, The Calling of St. Matthew, Baroque artists Caravaggio 'quotes' the hand that Michelangelo fashioned for the hand of God in the Creation of Adam, seen in the second painting.
In the third painting here, Michelangelo 'quotes' the hand painted by preceding Renaissance artist, Botticelli in his work, Venus and Mars. Mars (the god of war) is seen here 'conquered' by war, yet Venus (the goddess of love) is awake and ready--for love is always ready. "I slept, but my heart was awake." (Song of Songs 5:2) Michelangelo brings these two figures/ideas together in his Pieta. He brings to union and distinction the two natures of Christ, brought to consummation upon the Cross. Christ, was conquered by death and suffering, yet love was ever awake, ever ready--simply through his quotation of Botticelli's work.
This brings to mind and to light, the 'enigmatic' quote by Dostoevsky-
that somehow, 'Beauty will save the world.'
More thoughts..so many thoughts to come..
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