As we await Easter dawn, I thought I would share these wonderful paintings on the Paschal Mystery by Italian artist, Bruno Grassi (not to be confused with the 25 year old Brazilian football player). I saw a stunning exhibition of his work four years ago in the ancient church of Santa Maria del Angeli in Rome, just opposite Termini Train station. That exhibition focused exclusively on his Christian work, but as you can see from his website here, he also has a strong interest in women couples (among other secular subjects). I hesitate to call them 'lesbian,' though they do appear to be lovers of sorts. Very moving and interesting portraits. What must they mean? Unfortunately, not being able to speak or read Italian, I can't explicate the arcane symbolism in some of his work, particularly the interesting figure on the guard's breastplate in the Resurrection painting above. I can't recall any religious art of the last 50 years that captures the Christian mysteries with such evocative power and contemporary resonance. He brings the ancient Christian symbols alive once again.
A haunting crucificion
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The Wedding Feast of Cana = with only female guests surrounding the Master.
Two stunning Annunciation's, but is the second one supposed to mean what I think it means?
PIETA
Click HERE to view Bruno Grassi's You Tube Channel.
Click HERE to view Bruno Grassi's You Tube Channel.
Note in particular his stunning frescoes for the Church of Madonna del Buon Consiglio. This appears to be a small run down church in an Italian village, which Bruno restored and then enlivened with his magnificent paintings.
SACRO CUORE
Needless to say, this is not the work of Bruno Grassi.
From Thailand.
From Thailand.
4 comments:
Thank you for sharing these images....they are very interesting indeed....the one of the Resurrection was especially telling to me....I do not know the meaning the artist had either but your reference to the women oriented images in his other works points me in the direction of female images in this Resurrection painting....the symbols are a contrast of male and female to me....this Resurrection happens at night with the moon providing light for the Christ figure as he exits the tomb...the moon provides reflective light and is associated with female mother energy - the goodess image as opposed to the god...the setting is not the usual image of a morning sunrise ( a male patriarchal image)....the male sun energy or light is reflected in the lantern beside the soldier which in turn reflects off of his golden armor with the image of Sol Invictus, the Roman Sun God on his chest...all male symbols....the male energy and light is eclipsed by that from the moon....the male soldier is clothed in armor and tight form fitting pants while Christ is wrapped in flowing material more in keeping with a female image....the pervading blue color, usually associated with the the old pagan Mother Goddess and adapted for the Blessed Mother by Christians is the predominate color as opposed to the male yellow, gold, and white that is usually portrayed in traditional Resurrection images.... anyway that's my take on the female energy images that came to mind for me....again, thanks for sharing these works....
Wow! I am in awe of Bruno Grassi’s art! I just spent a long time following your links to immerse myself in his imagery. I especially love the Annunications and I plan to contact him in hopes of sharing them on the Jesus in Love Blog. Christ is risen, Alleleuia!
Michálek-thank you so much for your wonderful insightful explication-which I intend to insert into the post itself.
Glad you like him, Kittredge, I think he is truly remarkable and deserves to be much better known outside Italy. I would love to visit his village chapel.
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