On a recent telephone call home, my mother pointed out to me this amazing depiction by that great Venetian Tiepolo of a usually rather gory scene, The Martyrdom of St. Bartholomew (1722). Quite stunning and extremely moving, if perhaps less, er, anatomical than most medieval depictions of the event.
I always thought it was a bit odd that St Bartholomew was always shown holding his own skin but at the same time still wearing it.
ReplyDeleteWell, I suppose it's no odder than St John the Baptist holding his own head while still being intact... On the other hand, I've seen some images of St. Bartholomew where he's flayed and holding the skin. The effect is rather like an anatomical diagram. Consistent, anyway.
ReplyDeleteAlthough, in every depiction I have seen him (including this one), his arms are open wide as he looks upward.
ReplyDeleteThis is the featured art in this month's issue of Magnificat. It certainly is striking.
ReplyDeleteOF THE POWER BE OF GOD AND FROM OURSELVES.
ReplyDeleteMIGHTY GOD, CLEANSE MY HEART AND MY LIPS SO I WORTHILY PROCLAIM
THESE THINGS I SPEAK TO YOU, SO MY JOY IS IN YOU, AND YOUR
JOY IS MADE FULL.
FATHER IN MY NAME, HE GIVES TO YOU.
GOD WHO HAS BEGUN THE GOOD WORK IN MY LIFE BRING IT TO
MY DEAR PEOPLE, LET US PRAY; ALL POWERFUL FATHER POUR OUT GIFTS
THEY HENCEFORTH POSSESS THIS OFFICE
INSTILL RIGHT CONDUCT.
HE A WORTHY CO-WORKER WITH OUR ORDER, SO BY HIS PREACHING AND
THE WORDS OF THE GOSPEL BEARS FRUIT IN HUMAN HEARTS AND REACHES EVEN
TOGETHER WITH US, HE BE A FAITHFUL STEWARD OF YOUR MYSTERIES, SO
THEY JOIN WITH US, LORD, IN IMPLORING YOUR MERCY FOR THE PEOPLE
AND THE FULL NUMBER OF NATIONS GATHER TOGETHER IN CHRIST,
UPON YOU FIND PEACE
THROUGH THE AGES ALL ALONG, THIS IS OUR ENDLESS SONG:
I like the picture "The Martyrdom of St. Bartholomew" it's tell something.
ReplyDelete