In the 60s, I saw with my own eyes the stunning perfection of the most famous sculpture of all time: The Pietà.
According to Wickipedia,
“In 1964, The Pietà was lent by the Vatican to the 1964-65
New York World's Fair to
be installed in the Vatican pavilion. People stood in line for hours to catch a glimpse from a conveyor moving past the sculpture. It was returned to the
Vatican after the fair.”
I was on that
conveyor belt anticipating my first glimpse of the famous sculpture. The
display had blue floodlights giving the white marble an aura of holiness. When
it appeared, I was breathless and in awe of this magnificent work of art by
Michelangelo Buonarroti. The memory has stayed in my mind as if it were yesterday.
The statue's spiritual aura made indelible marks on my soul. Great art
will do that!
“Made in
1498-1499, the Pietà is a world-famous work of Renaissance sculpture housed in St.
Peter's Basilica, Vatican City. It is the first of a number of works
of the same theme by the artist. The statue was
commissioned for the French Cardinal Jean de
Bilhères, who was a
representative in Rome. The sculpture, in Carrere marble, was made for the cardinal's funeral
monument, but was moved to its current location, the first chapel on the right
as one enters the basilica, in the 18th century. It is the only piece Michelangelo ever signed.”
 |
| "Dainty Diva" mixed media on canvas (SOLD) prints available |
When you see the
grandeur of something up close and personal, your perspective is changed
forever. I sat on a gymnasium floor with a crowd of hundreds listening to Louis Armstrong when he was in his prime. Trumpet in one hand, handkerchief in the
other, he crooned for over an hour, took a break, and then crooned for another
hour. We sat spellbound swaying to the music.
We came to dance, and we melted
at his feet savoring each familiar, throaty phrase.
On that same
floor, I whirled with my future husband to the “Big Band” sounds of Less Brown
and his Band of Renown. For most of us, this was our first experience listening
to a live orchestra of singers and performers. Our tiny college town was graced
by many famous performers.
Margaret Whiting and Peggy Lee serenaded us within the walls of that same cultural center. It wasn’t so much the
fame that surrounded these singers, but the quality of their performance that
sent tingles up my arm. Here were voices of pure perfection, smooth as honey and
always on pitch. Remarkable talent witnessed first-hand.
 |
| "Tickles from God" 24 x 18 acrylic on canvas |
The exquisite thrill
of hearing live music or watching performers on stage surpasses any recorded
performance by far. When the Army/Navy Marching Band played a concert in our
town I was very young, but I will never forget. Bouncing on my seat, listening
to the trumpets, trombones and percussion instruments made me a believer. Truly,
seeing is believing!
I’d love to
hear of your experiences witnessing a live performance or a famous work of art.
Please share with us!
No comments:
Post a Comment