Artists “tinkering” with Sacred Art seems similar to “tinkering” with the Gospels. In the West it seems both have become acceptable. One can see a modern western portrayal of a Saint and have no idea who is depicted. The same cannot be said of an eastern portrayal of a Saint.
The Deposition Icon is one of the first Holy Icons that I acquired. It is still one of the most powerful images that I have come across. 🔥 Grace and peace to you sister, thank you for this. 🌐☦️⛪♥️🏔️🕊️🌿⚓🌹⛲
There was a television series on PBS (probably from the BBC) which briefly in one episode discussed a stolen Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It showed Middle Eastern Christian women crying about the fact that their “Virgin” had been stolen. I think based on this article I finally understand what the narrator was trying to convey. It was as if the BVM herself had been taken away since they were so used to communing with her through this Icon. Do you think I am on the right track with this train of thought.
I suppose so. I'd have to look at the show to say more. But we are talking about the BBC, so they likely made a hash of it.
There was a beautiful 15th century statue of a saint in the Norcia museum I was very fond of and went to draw. After the earthquakes all the artworks were taken away from Norcia and much of it put in storage, and some was redistributed to other museums around the area. Like everyone else, I had to leave after the October 30th quake, and I had settled in a place near Perugia, which has a simply fantastic museum. I went there to look at their 14th century altarpieces, and I remember my reaction when the elevator doors opened, and I was confronted by my beautiful friend, the Norcia saint I knew so intimately. A large donation from the Canadian Lion's club - of all things - had paid to have her rescued and brought to Perugia and restored and she had pride of place in the great hall. I instantly burst into tears. The museum guard lady, fortunately, spoke English and when I explained that I had lost my home in Norcia and knew this statue like an old friend she was very sympathetic.
It wasn't the statue itself, just a carved and painted bit of very old wood, if we are going to be 18th century reductionists; it was what she represented, what she meant.
The Sinai Pantocrator is a wonderful icon, and very illustrative of your point about visual theology. Last year, a family came to my Orthodox church for the first time, and has since become catechumens (hopefully to be chrismated / baptized in soon). As they gradually came to understand the Orthodox theology as expressed in icons they (like many converts) began to bring icons into their home. The husband wanted a Pantocrator for their icon corner, but said at the time he was "creeped out" by the Sinai one, and wanted something more familiar (I run my church's little store, and said I'd see what I could stock). Well, this past Christmas they bought... a copy of the Sinai Pantocrator! I asked why the change - the husband said "I love His face in that icon. I get it now."
Artists “tinkering” with Sacred Art seems similar to “tinkering” with the Gospels. In the West it seems both have become acceptable. One can see a modern western portrayal of a Saint and have no idea who is depicted. The same cannot be said of an eastern portrayal of a Saint.
The Deposition Icon is one of the first Holy Icons that I acquired. It is still one of the most powerful images that I have come across. 🔥 Grace and peace to you sister, thank you for this. 🌐☦️⛪♥️🏔️🕊️🌿⚓🌹⛲
I bookmarked this to read later (too struck (or melted like wax) by the images actually to read words right now.)
There was a television series on PBS (probably from the BBC) which briefly in one episode discussed a stolen Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It showed Middle Eastern Christian women crying about the fact that their “Virgin” had been stolen. I think based on this article I finally understand what the narrator was trying to convey. It was as if the BVM herself had been taken away since they were so used to communing with her through this Icon. Do you think I am on the right track with this train of thought.
I suppose so. I'd have to look at the show to say more. But we are talking about the BBC, so they likely made a hash of it.
There was a beautiful 15th century statue of a saint in the Norcia museum I was very fond of and went to draw. After the earthquakes all the artworks were taken away from Norcia and much of it put in storage, and some was redistributed to other museums around the area. Like everyone else, I had to leave after the October 30th quake, and I had settled in a place near Perugia, which has a simply fantastic museum. I went there to look at their 14th century altarpieces, and I remember my reaction when the elevator doors opened, and I was confronted by my beautiful friend, the Norcia saint I knew so intimately. A large donation from the Canadian Lion's club - of all things - had paid to have her rescued and brought to Perugia and restored and she had pride of place in the great hall. I instantly burst into tears. The museum guard lady, fortunately, spoke English and when I explained that I had lost my home in Norcia and knew this statue like an old friend she was very sympathetic.
It wasn't the statue itself, just a carved and painted bit of very old wood, if we are going to be 18th century reductionists; it was what she represented, what she meant.
Can you show us a photograph of that statue?
It won't let me upload a photo to the comment box, but I'll put it in Notes.
https://substack.com/@hilarywhite/note/c-88875815
The Sinai Pantocrator is a wonderful icon, and very illustrative of your point about visual theology. Last year, a family came to my Orthodox church for the first time, and has since become catechumens (hopefully to be chrismated / baptized in soon). As they gradually came to understand the Orthodox theology as expressed in icons they (like many converts) began to bring icons into their home. The husband wanted a Pantocrator for their icon corner, but said at the time he was "creeped out" by the Sinai one, and wanted something more familiar (I run my church's little store, and said I'd see what I could stock). Well, this past Christmas they bought... a copy of the Sinai Pantocrator! I asked why the change - the husband said "I love His face in that icon. I get it now."