This weekend my family and I had a chance to visit a museum in New York City (the north end of Manhattan) called The Cloisters. Please take a look at the official website and this site full of gorgeous photos. I highly recommend it. The museum building looks like a medieval castle at the top of a lush hill overlooking the flowing Hudson river. It's focus is European medieval art, primarily from the 12th Century through the 15th Century. While in the museum you are totally transported to Europe at that time. Not only are paintings, tapestries, sculptures, and objects in exhibition, but also architecture and gardens. Things are shown in a setting reminiscent of their original home. Again, I loved it!
Although the focus of the museum is not religious art, it is evident that much of the art of that time was religious. The faith of the artists and clients of the objects is evident. They not only wanted to create a beautiful piece of art, they wanted to elevate their prayers through every stroke of a brush or carving with a knife. They sought to move the viewers in heart, but also in spirit. This let me think about my art. I don't really use art to express my spirituality. At times when I take photographs of nature I sensed a spiritual connection with the place and with the Creator. But I don't really paint, or sing, or sculpt, or write poems of praise and adoration. Do you? Let's see if the Spirit moves me...
Technorati Tags: Spirituality
I am definitely not an artist, but my wife is. I think my spirituality is expressed more by works and words than anything else. But I certainly do admire inspiring art! Just don't expect me to make it :)
Posted by: Steve Bogner | June 03, 2006 at 08:40 AM
I feel really close to God when I make stuff. Not that I have much time to!
Posted by: patti | June 03, 2006 at 09:33 AM
We each have different love languages that we use for our spouses and for God. Do you know what yours is?
Posted by: Lorna | June 06, 2006 at 05:00 AM
Hello, Hector!!!
I haven't heard from you in awhile. Those are wonderful pictures. I just saw on your other post that you recently went to Notre Dame. A protestant friend of mine is thinking of going there and she really found it beautiful. I completely agree.
Posted by: Moneybags | June 15, 2006 at 03:35 PM