The Power of Creation

Art.

I've never been much of producer.  For most of my life I've been primarily a consumer.  

But I always had an itch to make things. And so I have a deep respect and admiration for those who create unique works of art, born from their own brains and bodies.  

Which is why our recent trip to Rome and Florence has left my brain swimming from the sheer volume of the exquisite art that exists on virtually every street and building in the city as if a bomb, full of beauty, exploded and splattered everywhere.

Let There Be Light

Somewhat paradoxically, or ironically, this trip brought home to me like nothing before in all my reading and studying, the real darkness of the Dark Ages.

As we know from our history lessons, the Dark Ages span the period of time roughly between the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 A.D. through the start of the Renaissance period in the mid 1400's.

The creativity and skill of the Roman empire's builders and sculptors is well-documented and otherworldly.  As is that of many other ancient civilizations; the Greeks, the Egyptians, the Aztecs, the Carians, the Harappans, the Han dynasty, and more.

And, as we know, the art that arose from the Renaissance period is also otherworldly and magnificent, stunningly brilliant. The name ‘renaissance’ is a French word translating to rebirth. It symbolized the beginning of a new era of art, rebirthing the classical models of Ancient Greek and Roman periods while using the modern techniques. It was led by the artistic geniuses of  Da Vinci, Donatello, Michelangelo and Rafael, to name a few.  

But the art in between the ancient era and the Renaissance period is relatively... absent. At least in the western world.  It's as if the spigot of artistic creativity was suddenly turned off, and stayed off for a thousand years.

No one is certain as to why the spigot turned off, or why the Renaissance period began and the "artistic spigot" turned back on. But many theorize that the burst in creativity was a result of the Black Death.  Yes. A horrible plague may have been the answer.

A period so terrible and hopeless, that it spawned a newfound appreciation for the sanctity of life.  

And so - maybe- it was actually the power of destruction of mankind that rekindled and rejuvenated the power of creation in mankind.

This explanation makes a great deal of sense when considering the subject matter of most of the great Renaissance art; masterpieces which are almost exclusively religiously-themed.  The Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica, The Last Supper, and all the artwork in the Vatican Museum, the Uffizi Museum and the Accademie in Florence, and countless churches, basilicas and chapels throughout the world.

So, my faithful readers, this edition of Past Forward will be dedicated to the creation of art, from the ancient through the Renaissance.  With more images than words.  As it should be.

St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City

Chiesa di San Gioacchino (Church of St. Joachim), Rome

Just a little neighborhood church in Rome we wandered into while out walking.  

Julia and I looked at each other and said "Whoa...is this for real?"

Colosseum of Rome

The Trevi Fountain

Julius Caesar himself, a bust in the Vatican Museum.  

I'm always surprised that he looks a bit like an accountant from Topeka

The Spanish Steps, Rome.

The Castel Sant'Angelo, Rome.

Originally a mausoleum for Hadrian (hey, this guy keeps popping up everywhere we go)

Botticelli's "The Birth of Venus", Effuzi Museum, Florence

Michelangelo's David, Accademia Museum in Florence.  

St. Peter's Square, Vatican City - photobombed!

On the topic of creations - we mustn't overlook Italy's second-most important contribution to the world.  This was the best pizza I've ever had.  It was in Florence, and I didn't even get the name of the place.  Near the train station.  But it was sublime.  I can still feel the warmth of the oven, I can still taste the fresh toppings, herbs and cheeses, the local wine, I can still hear the music.

 

The author. Constantine's Gate in the background.