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Two Michelangelo Sculptures |
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by liu9700 / 10.22.2005 |
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| Two Michelangelo sculptures |
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Assignment |
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During the long walk we saw how the architecture of a place can give hint to its intentionality. Like the interior space of a church, sculpture is no medium to “practice aesthetic distance.” Here elegant form can be used to shadow a very definite intention. Both of the Michelangelo sculptures have a distinct intentionality which is further utilized by the churches in which they stand to send to the congregation a message about the Church and its doctrine. The Risen Christ is depicted as a leader. He stands bold and composed at the edge of his base, right foot lightly touching the marble earth as if captured mid-step. The sculpture of Moses, on the other hand, conveys a much more powerful personage. In contrast to Christ’s calm and gentle form is Moses’ bulging physique and wild beard. Seated and holding the ten commandants in his right arm he is meant to resemble a teacher. Jesus also carries the symbols of his life to his right side. The depictions of these relics are probably meant to help the viewer identify the religious figures. They may also be an educational tool for the illiterate viewer. Like the frescoed walls, these sculptures are used to wordlessly convey the messages of the Church. Another similarity I noticed is that both sculptures have their attention turned to the left. At first this seemed like a mere coincidence, but I know better than to think that many things in art, or in a church for that matter, are the products of chance. Both sculptures are arranged so that parishioners present at the mass will draw a link between them and the objects of their gaze. Jesus, standing as a leader and carrying the symbol of the Catholic Church, fixes his eyes on the main altar. During a mass this is where the priest performs ceremonies and reads the scripture. By standing behind and overlooking this process Jesus gives the mass divine validation. Moses’ gaze is instead turned towards the people of the congregation. The stern teacher, tablets in arm, watches over the people, reminding them to learn from the scripture they are hearing. In this way the two statues also work together to promote a single message, despite being in different locations. This is the function of the Old versus New Testaments in the Catholic Church. The teachings of New Testament, embodied in the figure of Jesus, are something to follow and incorporate into life. The seated, elder figure of Moses instead promotes the Old Testament as the strong foundations of the modern Church, something which should be studied and remembered. The two Michelangelo sculptures combine skillfully depicted figures with deliberate placement within the space to reach and influence the people who view them.
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