THE HIGH CROSS AT MOONE CO. KILDARE
May 25th 2024
The 10th Century High Cross at Moone, Co. Kildare, stands almost 5m tall, making it the second tallest such cross in Ireland. It is remarkably well preserved. This is due to the fact that it was buried in the
PENTECOST AT SANTO DOMINIGO DE SILOS
May 18th 2024
“Pentecost”, late 11th century,, Cloister, Abbey of Santo Silos de Domingo, Burgos, Spain. This relief showing Pentecost should really be viewed alongside the relief of the Ascension. They are o the same pillar in the cloister of Santo Domingo
ASCENSION AT SANTO DOMINGO DE SILOS
May 17th 2024
“The Ascension”, late 11th century,, Cloister, Abbey of Santo Domingo de Silos, Burgos Spain. At first glance this does not look like the Ascension. It becomes a bit more like it, when you understand that the wave like carving
Chagall’s Fall Of Icarus
May 3rd 2024
“The Fall of Icarus”, Marc Chagall, 1974-77, Georges Pompidou Centre, Paris. In his later years Chagall (1887 -1985) often painted Icarus, but this one was painted when he was in his late 80’s. Chagall was a Jew, who had survived
CIMA DA CONGELIOANO’S INCREDULITY OF ST THOMAS AND BISHOP MAGNUS
April 6th 2024
“The Incredulity of Saint Thomas and the Bishop Saint Magnus”, Cima da Conegliano, 1504-1505, Gallerie dell’ Accademia, Venice. This commission came from a guild of builders. The association of St Thomas with builders derives from the account of
Caravaggio’s Entombment of Christ
March 9th 2024
“The Entombment of Christ”, Caravaggio, 1602/3, Pinacoteca Vaticana, Rome. (originally in Chiesa Nuova, where there is good replica in situ) Nicodemus stares out at us as he and St John lower the dead body of Christ into the tomb. Everything
Stanley Spencer’s Christ in the Wilderness
February 17th 2024
“Christ in the Wilderness -The Hen”, Stanley Spencer c. 1954, Art Gallery of Western Australia, Perth. Stanley Spencer spent the winter of 1938/39 living alone in a room in 188 Adelaide Road near Swiss Cottage in London. There he
Ghirlandaio’s Vocation of the Apostle’s from the Sistine Chapel
January 19th 2024
Vocation of the Apostles”, Domenico Ghirlandaio, c. 1481, North Wall, Sistine Chapel, Vatican City.
Bellin’s Madonna and Child with John the Baptist and a female Saint
January 13th 2024
“The Virgin and Child with St John the Baptist and a Female Saint in a Landscape”, Giovanni Bellini, c.1501, Gallerie dell’ Accademia, Venice. For comment see this week’s newsletter.
