Art

I just finished writing a paper for my History class on the accomplishments of art during the Renaissance. BORING! or so I thought.

I have always had a mild appreciation for art mainly because I am soooooo horrible at it. I know, I know what you are thinking right now. . . "Me either, I can't even draw stick figures". EVERYONE says that. Even if they can draw, paint, sculpt, and wood burn like a master. I have never heard someone say to me after telling them that I am terrible at art, "O that's too bad because I am an excellent artist." NEVER!

All that aside, after writing this paper my appreciation for art has increased dramatically, especially for sculptures. The picture included with this post is that of Michaelangelo's Pieta. Just look at Mary's robe. It looks just like fabric would be draped. Can you imagine hewing that out of solid marble. Marble is HARD. I know because when I was two years old I tested the hardness of the marble floor in our house by diving face-first at it from 10 feet in the air(just thought I should throw that in there to verify my authority on the subject of marble hardness).

What I like best about this work is the way Christ is sculpted. Although it is hard to see in this picture, Christ's body has been fashioned in such a way to give the idea that the body is still alive. A closer look would reveal the veins of Christ to appear as if blood is flowing through them. This symbolism is so cool to me! I would never have thought to do that. . . . .. and that is why I am not Michaelangelo and never will be.