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Ecstasy |
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by minhan / 10.24.2005 |
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| The Ecstasy of Beata Ludovica Albertoni |
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Assignment |
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Light has an interesting characteristic in that it accentuates what it shines on yet also puts others in shadows, hidden from view. A sole light source from the upper left corner shines on Bernini’s The Ecstasy of Beata Ludovica Albertoni focusing on her anguished facial expression. However, although the first instinct was to look at her face, the shadows reveal other details. The mountains and valleys of the folds of the cloth wrapped around her are purposely laid on her body. They represent the rollercoaster ride she is experiencing, one of pain of the unknown then of such satisfaction of the realization of true faith.
Bernini’s Ecstasy of Saint Theresa has a built in representation of light as rays of gold ascend from the middle of the statue right in between the saint and the angel. My eyes first follow the golden rays down to the middle and then towards the angel. The youthful angel sticks out from the masses of the folds of cloth of Saint Theresa, standing upright against the longitudinal mass before him. The spear in the angel’s hand points down towards Saint Theresa but seems to barely miss her chest. The stark contrast between what is accentuated in the light and shadow is seen. The angel’s face is very young but looks down with a smile as of a mother looking down at her child, while Saint Theresa’s face is in shadows almost hidden by the folds looks slightly away from the angel as if unknown of the presence of the knowing angel. Her face is not noticed until after the angel’s face as if Bernini wanted the viewer to get the whole story, get the first impression of the role of the angel with Saint Theresa. Read in a different way, one might assume the older woman was superior to the young child rather than reading with the use of the light and shadows.
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