Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Idol or statue?

"Virgin" by Jacques Lipchitz.

Jacques Lipchitz thus describes his art:

"From the dove's mouth proceed three fragments of a starry Heaven that are united to form a heart that is pointed upward from which emerges the Virgin with arms extended to the world.  The display is carried by angels in flight."

This is shocking in the extravagance of the general concept as well as its details.  There is nothing in the shape of the statue, or its gestures, that expresses the purity and the unmatched dignity of the Mother of God.

The statue does not teach, educate or attract anyone.  The spiritual and Christian note is so far removed from this statue that the artist could easily get away with selling it as an idol -- as is.  Only the name needs changing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This painting of Our Lady of Sorrows by Simon Marmion (16th century) is very different.

I do not pretend to comment on these pictures from an artistic perspective, but simply to analyze the contrast between the two mentalities that are so well expressed by these two very distinct images of Our Lady. 

My goal is to make the reader feel how the inspiration and end of modern art is to deviate and deform true Catholic piety.

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