Ecstatic art

[Sharon Knettell]

*

[Ilaria Rosselli Del Turco]

Sharon, thank you so much for posting these pics, time travel for me.
As a young child I went to the evening mass in Santa Maria della Vittoria when we missed the morning one. I remember spending hours staring at the sculpture of Santa Teresa with that kind of empty (and innocent !) mind of a child just wondering how someone could sculpt all of those fold out of a piece of stone.
Next time I go home I want to go and see the Rape of Proserpina, it's ages since I have been in the Galleria Borghese.
Ilaria

[Carlos Ygoa]

Sharon,

Nice to hear from you again. Hope your recovery is coming along fine as well as your husband

[Ilaria Rosselli Del Turco]

I agree Sharon. What I love about masters of the past is that their work was mainly about their art: painters about painting, sculptors about sculpture etc.
From that starting point they told us something about the meaning of being human, but that was not their main intention while working.

Many artists of today have self appointed to explain the rest of the world about esthetics or moral, and they set out to let us know that we are ignoring certain tragedies, or have prejudice or sexual inhibitions and so on.
When I visit contemporary shows I often leave without that sense of wonder, of having had a glimpse of absolute beauty, and especially I am often disappointed by the lack of craftmanship disguised as its rejection.

Carlos: Rome's beauty is so compelling because there is art in every corner.
I love London and living here, but art here is only in gallery and museums. The churches in Rome have so much ! People often criticise the Vatican for its wealth: this wealth has given us some amazing masterpieces

Ilaria

[Gary Hoff]

Originally Posted by Sharon Knettell

...It would make me speechless to see these in person.....Today we are beset by artists who think it is their duty to use art in any form to shock you into identifying with them. The means have gotten more confusing, sometimes crude and most often ugly. They preach.

I've had the privilege of seeing most of these a time or two (the art in Rome is literally everywhere) and that was my reaction, too. Especially the Daphne and Apollo. The Villa Borghese is nothing short of amazing.

[Jeff Fuchs]

Originally Posted by Gary Hoff

I've had the privilege of seeing most of these a time or two (the art is Rome is literally everywhere) and that was my reaction, too. Especially the Daphne and Apollo. The Villa Borghese is nothing short of amazing.

I had a similar treat earlier this year when I toured Italy. They kept us moving non-stop, so most of it is a blur, but the Pieta was a true joy to behold in person.

BTW: The Power of Art is available on NetFlix.

[Chris Saper]

Oh, WOW. How did they DO that???!

[Jeff Fuchs]

Originally Posted by Sharon Knettell

Thanks Jeff!

My husband got a subscription to Netflix for his birthday and it has been a non-stop video world here. At least I'll get one I want to see!

One? Look again. Their collection of art documentaries is very good. They have all of Sister Wendy's videos, as well as films on major art movements, and major artists. There's always something new.

[Jeff Fuchs]

I have received and watched Disc one (Caravaggio, Bernini, Rembrandt). Wouldn't you love to have Simon Schama over to dinner?

It's shaping up to be a very good series. Can't wait for more.

[Linda Brandon]

Originally Posted by Sharon Knettell

Then POW! BAM! BOOM! BERNINI!

Pow, Bam, Boom, Piazetta! How about this one, The Ectasy of St. Francis, Pinacoteca Civica, Vicenza.