I just came back from practicing today’s hymns on the organ and had time to read this before heading back to church shortly. A perfect way to prepare for Pentecost! What a remarkable painting. Thanks, Amelia!
It is... which is why I have never really mastered it! ; )
I am merely an adequate organist, capable of muddling through a Mass, but not much more. I learned a little in grad school and ended up playing for three years at the Lutheran church I attended there. Here in western NY we attend the local Catholic parish--the rest of my family is Catholic--and when they lost their organist unexpectedly about half a dozen years ago, I offered to help out. I was pretty rusty, and I don't really have time to practice, but it got me playing again, and it lets me serve the parish. Fortunately, the expectations at our very small, rural congregation are not terribly high!
I am sure your parish appreciates your efforts! We lost our organist two years ago and a young man stepped up to learn. He has improved a lot over the past two years, and I am grateful he volunteered to play. It is always sad to see an unused organ at churches.
Such a great blessing after Mass! As I sip coffee and ponder these skillfully displayed words and images my appreciation for the 'gift' of your ART WORK grows deeper.
Besides El Greco's vivid RGB colorization of principle figures (prefiguring our modern understanding of the primacy of RGB optical light) these visions once engaged, are modes of spiritual transport.
Hiss sublimely rendered hands are amazingly beautiful and expressive. They act!
And then there is the other feature that jumped out, or should I say caved in. The Christ Child's belly button was very obvious and then I started seeing some of the others. It made me chuckle at first. BUT then I spied the baby lamb, tied and motionless at Mary's feet.
Then I thought the vine...abiding...the branches...the fruit of the vine...mystical body, navel, the umbilical cord...new life.
It’s an interesting question…You don't see her in medieval images of Pentecost. There are other late Renaissance and Baroque paintings that include her-Titian, Restout, Lanfranco-which makes sense because she was so popular during the counter reformation.
Offhand, I can’t think of another Pentecost image that includes Mary Magdalene, though some probably exist.
I guess I would prefer to say 12 Apostles plus El Greco. I believe the artist also placed himself at the Adoration of the Shepherds; he appears in (roughly) sixteenth century dress in the background, speaking to one of the shepherds.
Thank you Barabara! That is a good point. She seems to be a late addition to Pentecost imagery.
There are some late Renaissance and Baroque paintings that include her-Titian, Restout, Lanfranco-which makes sense because she was so popular during the counter reformation.
That probably is the better way to put it. I didn't notice him in the Adoration of the Shepards. Thank you for pointing that out.
I just came back from practicing today’s hymns on the organ and had time to read this before heading back to church shortly. A perfect way to prepare for Pentecost! What a remarkable painting. Thanks, Amelia!
Thank you very much Peter!
What an amazing skill! I have heard to organ is very difficult to master.
It is... which is why I have never really mastered it! ; )
I am merely an adequate organist, capable of muddling through a Mass, but not much more. I learned a little in grad school and ended up playing for three years at the Lutheran church I attended there. Here in western NY we attend the local Catholic parish--the rest of my family is Catholic--and when they lost their organist unexpectedly about half a dozen years ago, I offered to help out. I was pretty rusty, and I don't really have time to practice, but it got me playing again, and it lets me serve the parish. Fortunately, the expectations at our very small, rural congregation are not terribly high!
I am sure your parish appreciates your efforts! We lost our organist two years ago and a young man stepped up to learn. He has improved a lot over the past two years, and I am grateful he volunteered to play. It is always sad to see an unused organ at churches.
I couldn’t agree more!
Such a great blessing after Mass! As I sip coffee and ponder these skillfully displayed words and images my appreciation for the 'gift' of your ART WORK grows deeper.
Besides El Greco's vivid RGB colorization of principle figures (prefiguring our modern understanding of the primacy of RGB optical light) these visions once engaged, are modes of spiritual transport.
Hiss sublimely rendered hands are amazingly beautiful and expressive. They act!
And then there is the other feature that jumped out, or should I say caved in. The Christ Child's belly button was very obvious and then I started seeing some of the others. It made me chuckle at first. BUT then I spied the baby lamb, tied and motionless at Mary's feet.
Then I thought the vine...abiding...the branches...the fruit of the vine...mystical body, navel, the umbilical cord...new life.
Deep truth for sure.
Thank you for the encouraging words Mike! I always love your observations.
Amazing work. Thank you!
Thank you Elliott!
El Greco is certainly a great master. I wonder why he included Mary Magdalene?
It’s an interesting question…You don't see her in medieval images of Pentecost. There are other late Renaissance and Baroque paintings that include her-Titian, Restout, Lanfranco-which makes sense because she was so popular during the counter reformation.
Do you know why she became especially popular during the Counter-Reformation? It makes sense El Greco would include her for that reason.
Catholics saw her as a model of penance and conversion. There are lots of great baroque paintings of the penitent Magdalene.
A great introduction or review of El Greco, his style and his paintings by Amelia McKee. Special emphasis is given to his Pentecost work.
Thank you Amelia!
Offhand, I can’t think of another Pentecost image that includes Mary Magdalene, though some probably exist.
I guess I would prefer to say 12 Apostles plus El Greco. I believe the artist also placed himself at the Adoration of the Shepherds; he appears in (roughly) sixteenth century dress in the background, speaking to one of the shepherds.
Thank you Barabara! That is a good point. She seems to be a late addition to Pentecost imagery.
There are some late Renaissance and Baroque paintings that include her-Titian, Restout, Lanfranco-which makes sense because she was so popular during the counter reformation.
That probably is the better way to put it. I didn't notice him in the Adoration of the Shepards. Thank you for pointing that out.
Another fabulous lesson Amelia, thank you. So inspiring. Meditative. Prayerful.
Thank you very much Al.
Your posts continue to be illuminating and skillfully presented. Thank you.
Thank you!