Melted Wings' Wax

- Bellini

This picture, titled Saint Francis of Assisi in Ecstasy, portrays . . . something which I know most of the population would be less than ecstatic about. Saint Francis is displayed here in the pinnacle moment receiving the stigmata. I believe this rendition is, although probably not accurate (the landscape is rather picture-perfect and isolated) a great take on how we should behave towards God. The act of stigmata, which is receiving the wounds of Christ on the cross, would be an incredibly painful thing to endure, just as it was for Jesus himself. But Saint Francis looks rather overjoyed, indeed, ecstatic, because of his complete and total love for God and the things of him.

"While you are proclaiming peace with your lips, be careful to have it even more fully in your heart." - Saint Francis

~ Michelangelo

Just a quick post today, I figured I would move onto sculpture instead of the typical art. This is a work done by Michelangelo, who is well known for the Sistine Chapel ceiling. However, Michelangelo actually despised painting, and his main passion was that of sculpture. This rendition of Moses was created for a tomb for the pope, Julius II. I have always enjoyed this work because of a very simple reason - it's just so well done. The detail put into Michelangelo's work sets it apart from most of the rest.

Also as an hilarious aside, I think it is great that Moses is portrayed as having horns on his head, something often done in this time period. This is because the bible was incorrectly translated, and when Moses came down the mountain, the word meaning "rays of light" accidently became . . . horns. Sooo, yeah. Kind of a big detail to miss.