Violence and religion

Tuesday, 27th October 2009

I enjoyed the show of Spanish religious art at the National Gallery. The painted wooden sculptures, mostly of Christ dying or dead, are not really art objects, nor even sacred art objects. They are blood-caked liturgical props. Many of them are still used in Holy Week street parades: held aloft on swaying flickering floats they seem to come to life, like magic wax-works. By the way there’s a good little film adjoining the show that gives you a taste of these thrilling events, packed with pointy-hooded penitents straight out of Goya. If this sort of thing happened in Britain, even I would probably convert to Rome.

The paintings are good too. I like this tough (but strangely attractive) nun, by Velazquez. She is clearly ready to use this crucifix as a weapon on anyone who gets in her holy way. This very Catholic painting reminded me of a very Protestant poem, ‘Conscience’ by George Herbert (written at about the same time as the painting). The poet addresses the tempter who assails him, warning him that he has:

Some wood and nails to make a staffe or bill
For those that trouble me:
The bloudie crosse of my dear Lord
Is both my physick and my sword.

They understood that religion needs a bit of violence to animate it back then.

Previous Back to Faith Based Next

Blogs: Martin Bright | Susan Hill | Alex Massie | Melanie Phillips | Coffee House

Actions: Print this article | Email to a friend | Permalink | Comments (2)

Post this entry to: del.icio.us | Digg | Newsvine | NowPublic | Reddit

Post comment

Athanasius

October 27th, 2009 4:34pm Report this comment

"If this sort of thing happened in Britain, even I would probably convert to Rome."

Well Theo, you know we are praying on both scores.

Thanks for this almost sympathetic review. I too enjoyed the exhibition: I was impressed with the commentary, which rightly steered viewers away from the titillation of the blood and gore towards the theological and devotional significance of the images.

If I may, my own brief comments on my visit here: http://tinyurl.com/yjt9sdy

Anne Wotana Kaye

October 28th, 2009 12:44pm Report this comment

How fortunate that the Taliban and their fellow religionists are forbidden to have painted or created images of human or sacred life. If they did, the gory 'art' would be too terrible to contemplate.

Post comment