Ancient art, expresses the ideas, beliefs, and the conventions of a time that is unreachable to us, merely and idea or a concept we build in our minds, using the evidence and remains of what used to be the present day for others. When one stress at these ancient artworks there is a feeling of nostalgia and of awe that floods your body, once you presence something that has stood the test of time, for centuries of centuries, there is a presence that overwhelms you.
I can speak of personal experience, I have been to museums and found myself in awe to be presenting in real life something that represented a concept in my head that I built by seeing the evidence, just like the one in-front of me, in history or art history test books.
The one piece of work that I can say that moved me heavily, which I can say evoked a feeling in me that made me tear up, was a Byzantine Icon if the Madonna Holding Jesus Holding a Gospel. It was taken to my home country and placed in the church of my neighborhood, since World Youth day in now hosted in my country, which is when the Pope comes and tours the city.
Coming back to the feeling art can evoke in an individual, that consists on many things, one of theme is the themes, which in the case of the Madonna Icon, it is the Divine presence, the forgiving and heavenly look in Mary’s face instantly make you feel protected and you can feel her motherly figure in the church as you stare at her. Then Jesus proclaiming his power by holding a gospel, you feel the divinity and the power, even when depicted as a baby, that Jesus has.
This is the picture I took of the Madonna Holding Jesus Holding a Gospel that was brought from the museum of The Vatican. The Icon is mad of gold inlay on wood, which was a usual feature in Byzantine Icons. The gold highlights the divine features and gives the art piece a divine and heavenly glow.
First, that is so cool that this work of art is in your hometown. Where are you from? How important is World Youth Day?
I must say I have always been a sucker for art, even though I am no good at it or interpreting it. Just the idea that someone can put their heart and soul into something, that no one can ever remake, is inspiring. Sure some musicians put their heart into their work, but I think the effect of art is different. Like here, (https://artistwaves.com/brandon-boyd-when-i-make-music-vs-when-i-make-art/), an artist and musician explains the differences between the two processes. It just amazes me how much impact one work of art can have on someone, either viewer or creater.