What do the stonemasons, the fresco artists, tell us about belief systems that may be different from the dogma of the time. We find the sculptures to show a burden put on the shoulders of the non-elite, and a central role for Mary that is later suppressed. She appears in old fresco and other representations in this way: that the deity depended on her for the conception, the gestation, the birth; and also that the child depended upon her for survival; and later, for support when others forsook. Is that so?
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Look at ecclesiastical architecture with a new eye: not to reinforce what you think you know, but to hear and see other perspectives. Any visit to a European country will involve some church-hopping. See more than the guidebook or the guide say.1. Duomo, Verona.
Here is the Duomo, or Cathedral Santa Maria Matricolare, in Verona. This looks like another church there, San Zeno Maggiore, at first glance, but San Zeno has a top triangle at the roof, then a large rose window below, then the main arch entryway. This Duomo is architecturally more complex. If you take notes off and on, sketch out the differences to help you identify photos later.
Duomo, Cathedral, Santa Maria Matricolare, Verona, Italy.
Identifying the various churches is not a priority for us. We are not extensive note-takers. We enjoy the wandering. Generally, we draw the line at two churches per town. Max. Our best guide at home for identification is the numeral order of the pictures on the memory card. Not infallible.Structural identification. Here, stripes identify the Duomo. Brickwork identifies St. Anastasia, see previous posts. Then we squint at arch figures. More difficult are the interior views of frescoes, paintings.
Closeup, common man at work, Facade arch detail, Santa Maria Matricolare, Duomo, Cathedral, Verona, Italy.
2. Theology in architecture, sculpture, fresco, carving.
Common people often hold up arches. They are identified by raggy clothes, usually bent over, showing exertion. Saints and Biblicals around arches bear no burdens, apparently. They pronounce. Note the Biblical-type clothing. Robes. Look for more simple folk doing the work.
Common man bearing the burden, Facade arch, San Zeno Maggiore, Verona, ItalyRenderings of Biblical stories elucidate. See Adam run. He has no real clothing, just a diaphanous something. Was that all he got instead of the leaf? Is that why he runs. Or does he realize he never told Eve where the specific tree was that they were to avoid. He stood by and let her reach out and touch, to see what would happen.
Adam on the Run, Fresco, Duomo, Santa Maria Matricolare, Verona, Italy (or is it St. Anastasia?)Everywhere you look - there are ordinary people exerting themselves to hold the place up. That looks like a woman, there in the center.
Santa Maria Matricolare, Duomo, Cathedral, arch figural details, exterior, Verona, Italy3. The dependence upon Mary.
Theology in Fresco: The role of woman. See Mary here, and she is the center of attention, not Jesus. It is she who supports him while he is on the Cross. She is even larger than he is.
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Mary, in old Fresco, Santa Maria Matricolare, Duomo, Cathedral, Verona, Italy. Mary appears first in the act of supporting Christ on the Cross; then as the Central figure for worshipping petitioners.
And it is Mary who is the large focal point of the main part of the fresco below, with petitioners at each side.
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Mary, Mary. What did they do wi' ye? A 180 degree turn has happened, putting her in the shadows? It takes close looks at the oldest painted surfaces to see.
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Instead, where she does appear, she is buried in gilt and gewgaws, crowns and jewels supporting a monarchy, as though Himself ever valued that.
Mary, Duomo, Cathedral, Verona, Italy, here removed from role as protector, and an essential to life, into a garbed and regalia-ed Queen
Mary, painting, Duomo, Cathedral, Verona, Italy. Morphed into a new message of her role. The unreachable. The assumption takes over? See here below, then look up and see her above.
4. Renovations of architecture, fresco and theology. Changes to fit the time; or faithful reconstruction of the old.
If we were of this particular faith subgroup, we would keep before us the fresco of Mary as central to the things that matter, not the dogmas. And we would note the eternal truth, that even in our religions common people bear the burdens imposed on them while the higher ups contemplate and pronounce. Is that so? Not really, some higher ups were martyred. But if that was for an authoritarian view and dogma, perhaps it should have been rethought in terms of original teaching of the Founder. is that so? Sure.
Aim your camera around the curtain to see what is going on. We prefer old frescoes to newer paintings, so were interested here.
Duomo, Verona. Major renovations, much concealed still
Duomo, Verona. Is the serpent here in Eden shown as a female? Isn't the serpent a "he"? Text tampering?
Excavations, Duomo, Verona, Italy
Duomo, Santa Maria Matricolare, Verona, layers of earlier foundations
Mary, about to nurse? Duomo, Verona, Italy.
We have seen several old frescoes of Mary nursing in public, people watching, breast bared. Here, this old sculpture (Romanesque) looks like another, with her apparently extending it to the child. When did nursing in public become anathema? It was essential to The Survival of the founder, is that so, and is that not the message - the role of the female not only for the gestation, but also its ongoing life. Have patience with us outsiders, please, but this issue interests us. Look at the demotions after. The vengeance of the Watchers..
Duomo, Cathedral, Santa Maria Matricolare, Verona. Whimsy in figures.This is why we like the old reliefs, the old frescoes and sculptures; rather than the gaudy later oils and decorations. Here are some folk, just hanging out. Or are they guarding the Tree, with their sceptres, but no wings, there in the center, so Adam (that is a guy) relaxing over there, cannot get back in. Room for interpretation in everything.
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