The Ecstasy of St. Teresa

[redqueen]

St. Teresa's description of the event which inspired the piece:

Beside me on the left appeared an angel in bodily form . . . He was not tall but short, and very beautiful; and his face was so aflame that he appeared to be one of the highest ranks of angels, who seem to be all on fire . . . In his hands I saw a great golden spear, and at the iron tip there appeared to be a point of fire. This he plunged into my heart several times so that it penetrated my entrails. When he pulled it out I felt that he took them with it, and left me utterly consumed by the great love of God. The pain was so severe that it made me utter several moans. The sweetness caused by this intense pain is so extreme that one can not possibly wish it to cease, nor is one's soul content with anything but God. This is not a physical but a spiritual pain, though the body has some share in it -- even a considerable share.

[ewagner]

1. I've never read that before

I KNOW what it sounds like.....but those kind of threads are banned :evilgrin:

[gibbsvol]

2. IMHO, one of, if not THE, best sculptures of all time!

Definitely Bernini's finest work. When looking at it with her passage underneath, it adds to its magic. The achievement pure sensual exstasy on her stone face is unparalleled in art. The fabric is amazing to say the least. In addition, his work with the sculpture's environment is awe-inspiring as well. Bernini, quite the architect, constructed the setting so as to draw light from a hidden window so that it seems to radiate from the sculpture itself. I could go on and on about this sublime work.
Thank you for posting it!

[redqueen]

4. No, thank you for discussing it.

I'm having a discussion about her experiences the expression on her face in this work and the views of the church in general with someone, so I thought I'd post it here just because. Nice to see such an informed person is around to comment on it.

:hi:

[progmom]

3. oh- i love that sculpture!

I'm pretty sure I saw it in Rome.

[redqueen]

5. Oooh lucky.

I'd love to see the look on her face up close.

[progmom]

7. it's just off a square w/ one of his fountains

....in a little church.

You have to put a coin in a box to light it up enough to see it. I remember getting chills - I was transfixed. Really beautiful.

[redqueen]

6. Kick for any more comments.

:kick: