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OKinyobe
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« on: January 18, 2009, 05:56:PM » |
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This might sound like a ridiculous topic but I would like to know if there are any resources that might explain why certain colours were used in religious art. For example, why was Our Lady presented wearing blue when a woman of her particular background could not have afforded to wear such a colour?
Thanking you in advance.
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Marisa
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« Reply #1 on: January 18, 2009, 05:58:PM » |
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And why is the Infant Jesus often wearing pink?
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StrictCatholicGirl
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« Reply #2 on: January 18, 2009, 06:11:PM » |
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If you notice, though, in most classic and famous paintings, Mary is wearing both red and blue. The inner cloak is usually red and the mantle is usually blue. Blue dye was very expensive since it was taken from shell-fish on the bottom of the sea. It was worn mainly by royalty (and Our Lady is Queen of Heaven!). Red is also a royal color - and it signifies the "blood" of our humanity and the Passion. Here is an article that might explain it a little better. - Lisa |
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- Lisa
"In the evening of life, we will be judged on love." - St. John of the Cross
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StrictCatholicGirl
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« Reply #3 on: January 18, 2009, 06:21:PM » |
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Here are some examples. There are countless others... |
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- Lisa
"In the evening of life, we will be judged on love." - St. John of the Cross
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Melita
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« Reply #4 on: January 18, 2009, 06:28:PM » |
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(I can't resist a picture posting thread!) |
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“I am a Catholic not like someone else would be a Baptist or a Methodist, but like someone else would be an atheist.” - Flannery O'Connor
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StrictCatholicGirl
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« Reply #5 on: January 18, 2009, 06:31:PM » |
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(I can't resist a picture posting thread!)
Me either.  Melita, I thought you'd appreciate this one from El Greco:  - Lisa |
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- Lisa
"In the evening of life, we will be judged on love." - St. John of the Cross
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Melita
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« Reply #6 on: January 18, 2009, 06:37:PM » |
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 Nobody touches my heart like El Greco. I couldn't find any Hoffman depictions of Mary, but I thought you might like this; |
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“I am a Catholic not like someone else would be a Baptist or a Methodist, but like someone else would be an atheist.” - Flannery O'Connor
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StrictCatholicGirl
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« Reply #7 on: January 18, 2009, 06:42:PM » |
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I believe that's a William Adolphe Bouguereau. Another "realistic" painter whom I admire.
- Lisa
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- Lisa
"In the evening of life, we will be judged on love." - St. John of the Cross
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Melita
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« Reply #8 on: January 18, 2009, 06:46:PM » |
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It certainly is! He illustrated Dante too... although the depiction is quite gory. |
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“I am a Catholic not like someone else would be a Baptist or a Methodist, but like someone else would be an atheist.” - Flannery O'Connor
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StrictCatholicGirl
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« Reply #9 on: January 18, 2009, 06:53:PM » |
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Yep.. that's what I call realism! He, along with other Pre-Raphaelites, painted lots of nudes: pagan gods and godesses, Greek heroes, great characters in literature, and mythical beings like nymphs and satyrs. Not all of their art is Christian, to be sure. - Lisa |
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- Lisa
"In the evening of life, we will be judged on love." - St. John of the Cross
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Melita
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« Reply #10 on: January 18, 2009, 07:03:PM » |
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Not all of their art is Christian, to be sure.
I suppose that might be part of the artistic heritage handed down from the Renaissance? The Medievals seemed less preoccupied with non-religious themes, or glorifying the "body beautiful"... and as time went on it just got worse. I remember reading about one Pre-Raphaelite called James Collinson who actually left the brotherhood because he found it conflicted so much with his Catholicism. I'm sure you know his Ophelia (it's probably the most famous painting of her). Here's one of his religious works, I especially like the expression on Mary's face; |
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“I am a Catholic not like someone else would be a Baptist or a Methodist, but like someone else would be an atheist.” - Flannery O'Connor
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StrictCatholicGirl
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« Reply #11 on: January 18, 2009, 07:13:PM » |
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Beautiful! Thanks!! (It shows Our Lady in red/blue again!  ) Actually nudes don't bother me. I am just grateful that men of this caliber DID paint a lot of Christian art, in addition to the others. Oh, and yeah.. "Ophelia" was one of their favorite themes! - Lisa
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- Lisa
"In the evening of life, we will be judged on love." - St. John of the Cross
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Melita
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« Reply #12 on: January 18, 2009, 07:24:PM » |
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For some reason love-sick, suicidal princesses seem to appeal to certain men. I wonder why that is...  (I'm not against nudes in art either, but there's a decent way of doing things. I guess it's knowing where to draw the line.) |
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“I am a Catholic not like someone else would be a Baptist or a Methodist, but like someone else would be an atheist.” - Flannery O'Connor
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OKinyobe
Posts: 244
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« Reply #13 on: January 18, 2009, 07:26:PM » |
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I see.
Artists' perceptions of Our Lady and Jesus were "coloured" by the culture around them, hence blue or violet and red for their clothes.
Thanks.
I should put up the images of Our Lady I've gathered over the years.
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StrictCatholicGirl
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« Reply #14 on: January 18, 2009, 07:31:PM » |
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For some reason love-sick, suicidal princesses seem to appeal to certain men. I wonder why that is... The damsel in distress...Great facial expressions and dramatic poses are a challenge! |
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- Lisa
"In the evening of life, we will be judged on love." - St. John of the Cross
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