tim’s thought property

This will be the last piece of work I’ll discuss from the Minneapolis Institute of the Arts. After all, the field trip was two months ago now, and all this “current” news is as stale as a Chris Rock comedy routine.

One of the pairs of art we had to compare were a sculpture and ceramic work. As I had left the Impressionist wing, I wandered past the rooms of furniture and glass work, and was going to the Medieval Gallery. When I turned the corner I saw this amazing view of the marble staircase, and at it’s end was the mighty statue of St. Paul the Hermit or St. Onofrious.
It was powerful from afar, but close up he was even more magnificent.

My slow, meandering pace had slowed even more by this time, and I was nearly at a stand-still when I came to the information plaque. Carved by Francesco Mochi, circa 1630-1640, it was thought that this statue was part in a series of Saints for placement in a nobleman’s garden. The statue was around eight or nine feet tall, with it’s large hands together in prayer. The Saint’s face had a look of stoicism, but changing the few to face him head on, he seemed a bit forlorn. I had never been so captivated by a sculpture before. I think the drama in his pose and the movement in his hair and leafy robe contributed to this dynamism.
There is so much that can be conveyed through art, it fascinates me all the time. To think that someone was able to conceive this notion, translate it into stone, and still keep the feel of life - it blows me away. It can be hard enough with pencil, paint, even in photograph to capture the life of reality.

Before our trip, we were told that to see art up close and in person was an experience like no other.
I had no idea to what extent that would be true. And to tell you all the same words, still does not convey their truth. There is something so powerful and tangible in being able to observe an actual carving, or masterpiece in person. It was humbling. GOD created man, then man created likenesses of everything. And man was able to do a very convincing job at emulating what GOD had created. I never want to forget that I was created with the ability to create, and there is a reason and greater source behind what I am or ever will be capable of.

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- St. Paul the Hermit or St. Onofrious, by Francesco Mochi, c.1630-164o