Yes, I have, unfortunately, the same reaction now to some of the great European cathedrals. When I was younger I could soak in the beauty and awe they inspired. But when I’ve had a chance to visit some more recently, they feel like monuments to murder and oppression and colonialism and I feel eager to get away.
Great to see mention of John Berger, England’s most famous art historian.
I was never interested in either art or Picasso, until I discovered Bergers “the success and failure of Picasso“.
By now I have probably read it four times through.
An example is Berger pointing out early in the book that one of Picasso’s gifts was painting images we might hold just before a scene or object comes into conscious focus and awareness.
Fantastic essay, Noah! Seeing these paintings through your eyes makes them both awesome and terrible (in the original meanings for both words), almost sinister but still beautiful, if that makes any sense. Thank you.
The Isenheim Altarpiece is one of my favorite paintings of all time. The risen Christ is possibly the most joyous, happy, and psychedelic treatments of that subject I have ever seen, and I have loved it from the moment I first saw it in an art history book.
Christ's agony to his triumphant resurrection: The painting itself is inspired. I am not so naive to think the triptych has no political meaning, but for me, it is a paean to the Spirit in all of us to transform our lives.
Yes, I have, unfortunately, the same reaction now to some of the great European cathedrals. When I was younger I could soak in the beauty and awe they inspired. But when I’ve had a chance to visit some more recently, they feel like monuments to murder and oppression and colonialism and I feel eager to get away.
"the great art in the European tradition takes on a certain ominous malevolence" Yes it does.
Great to see mention of John Berger, England’s most famous art historian.
I was never interested in either art or Picasso, until I discovered Bergers “the success and failure of Picasso“.
By now I have probably read it four times through.
An example is Berger pointing out early in the book that one of Picasso’s gifts was painting images we might hold just before a scene or object comes into conscious focus and awareness.
Hooked me.
Thanks again!
A profound meditation, Noah, thanks!
Fantastic essay, Noah! Seeing these paintings through your eyes makes them both awesome and terrible (in the original meanings for both words), almost sinister but still beautiful, if that makes any sense. Thank you.
The Isenheim Altarpiece is one of my favorite paintings of all time. The risen Christ is possibly the most joyous, happy, and psychedelic treatments of that subject I have ever seen, and I have loved it from the moment I first saw it in an art history book.
well hopefully I haven't ruined it!
Ha! Not at all!
I will never get the. chance to return to Strasburgh. But it was a blessing to see it.
Christ's agony to his triumphant resurrection: The painting itself is inspired. I am not so naive to think the triptych has no political meaning, but for me, it is a paean to the Spirit in all of us to transform our lives.
Trult excellent discourse of one if my favorite painting. From abject despair of