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  • Added 23 Jul 2005
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The Rapture of Saint Theresa

MEDIUM/GROUND: Acrylic on canvas board

SIZE: 11 inches x 14 inches

DESCRIPTION: Saint Theresa captured in the moment as rapturous bliss takes hold. This small painting was created in contemplation of Bernini's emotionally charged sculpture, "The Vision of St. Theresa", which houses in a small side chapel alter in Sta Maria della Vittoria, in Rome. St. Theresa was a sixteenth century nun who endured mystic visions. In a famous book she wrote about ...a moment of heavenly rapture, when an angel of the Lord pierced her heart with a golden flaming arrow, filling her with pain and yet immeasurable bliss. It is this vision that Bernini has dared to represent (1)... in his sculpture. His chosen medium -- the warm, creamy tones of marble -- expressed well the qualities of living flesh ignited by Divine passion. My painting, however, is focussed more on the moment just before the full effects of passion have taken hold. In the one dimentional, dark, earthy tones of the acrylic paint, we are shown the soul in it's state without enlightenment. God's hand has not touched us yet, has not filled the scene with light,(as the true drama of Bernini's sculpture is found in the play of light upon the surface). On the face of the Saint, we see perhaps a bit more of the pain of enlightenment, rather than the pleasure of bliss. Knowledge and enlightenment can bring bliss, but there is a sacrifice of pain involved -- the burden of truth and the weight of the responsibility of awareness gained -- we loose our innocence and it hurts. This takes place on an abstract level rather than a physical one exclusively, but the sensation is true. Sometimes we cry when we laugh and sobbing sounds like joy -- it's the dichotomy of emotions. This may seem somewhat negative an approach, but my intention here is a reminder of the darkness within light, and perhaps to warn the viewer of the serious nature of dedication to the Divine. *(1)The Story of Art, E.H Gombrich

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Anonymous Guest

Armando Salas 14 Apr 2006

Touching image. You captured the pain.

Lara Falcone 01 Jan 2006

Beautifully touching peice...

Emily Reed 27 Jul 2005

Wonderful religious expression.

Loredana 24 Jul 2005

Very cool :)

Tracey Loftis 24 Jul 2005

a moving rendention of a true saint. Nice work Tree.