Vesperbild (Pieta)
Honestly the first thing I thought of when I saw this piece was "This is really ugly" as most of my classmates agreed. The time period that this piece was created was a period where Jesus and Mary were shown in a much less secular nature (mostly on thrones with Mary holding baby Jesus). The people of this time period I'm sure weren't use to seeing Jesus Christ's limp, bloody, lifeless body being held by his mother so this piece for lack of a better word was a shock. But, the more I looked at the details in this piece, did some research, and started to realize the thinking behind it I began to think that this piece is meant to be a shocking reminder of the death of Jesus Christ. "The word Pietà (pl. same; Italian for pity) is a subject in Christian art depicting the Virgin Mary cradling the dead body of Jesus." So I can't help but think that this piece was created to make you feel something. Whether the emotion you feel is shock from first seeing Jesus and Mary depicted like this, disgust because you don't understand the piece, or the sadness and grief that you can see in Mary's face for the death of her son. I truly don't believe that this piece was created to be pretty, for decoration or to be a center piece to show wealth or status, I would call this an "emotional piece".
I think you captured the artist's intent perfectly. Each time I look at this piece, I enjoy it more - mostly for the emotional connection it creates which often falls flat in other works of the same subject.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with you. This is a very emotional piece, and it's not supposed to be the stereotypical kind of beauty that we, so engrained in our minds, think of. I personally think it's beautiful in how well it conveys sorrow and suffering. It was so unconventional and to this day is more unusual, and for that, I actually really like the sculpture.
ReplyDeleteThis sculpture affected me as well. I was instantly drawn to Mary's face which was incredibly formed to convey the suffering within her as she realized her child was dead. Her expression seems at the exact point where she realized that the child she carried in her womb was gone and dead.That must be a center of despair for any mother to lose her child to death before her own. A feeling of powerful loneliness shows in her eyes, and she appears at the edge of horror again as if she is remembering the innocence of Christ. I've never had a picture of the suffering of Christ affect me like this one. Art is amazing in how the design of an image produces emotional journeys and inner reflection. This piece WAS created to make the viewer feel something. Perhaps that is why it has endured time.
ReplyDelete