Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel Exhibit

Tonight, my mom and I went to an exhibit of art from the Sistine Chapel, projected onto like Smart TV screens or something, most of it rendered the size of the actual images on the ceiling of the chapel, and so on.

I don’t know that I would ever reach Michelangelo’s level of artistic ability; nonetheless, it’s inspiring to look at art of any kind. I especially enjoyed some of the prophets and sybils. Each one had two angels pictured with them, whispering to them, giving them prophecies.

Regardless of what you believe, the art is breathtaking. The proximity of the screens even allowed us to see individual brushstrokes which you would never notice in person at the chapel (though it would be amazing to see it in person some day… I’ve been to France and seen the Notre Dame, but never to Italy).

There was even a banner on the wall outside the exhibit for photo ops. Check this out…

One of the sybils (pagan seers, whose prophecies were later reinterpreted and adopted by Christians of Michelangelo’s era):

Here’s my favorite prophet image. Jeremiah, of the Book of Lamentations. I found his sadness intensely relatable. Also, after even just a cursory search, I found some interesting scholarly and spiritual sources about figures from the Bible who may have been struggling with depression. That might warrant further digging in the future.

Tonight I’m thankful my mom took me along with her (and got me a souvenir magnet to boot!). I’m thankful for the awesome inspiration of taking in even digital reproductions of a very, very gifted artist. The dinner they served us was pretty delicious. Stuffed mushrooms, steak with a cream gravy, potatoes, and asparagus, along with a salad and a frozen coffee dessert.

I’m thankful for spirituality of every flavor, and for the opportunity to find wisdom in unexpected places.

I also came across a brilliant meme on Facebook tonight. I don’t remember the attribution of the quote or the precise wording; the main point, though, was the uselessness of translating Zen Buddhist literature into English. The speaker of the quote remarked, you could use any text to access Zen, from The Bible to Alice in Wonderland. The sound of the rain doesn’t need a translation. How beautiful is that?

That said, I have read a little translated Zen literature, and it’s very poetic. But, to each, their own.

Have a lovely evening, all, or a fantastic day, depending on when and how this post reaches you. The narrator of the short video we watched at the exhibit said something to the effect of, “Never underestimate the power of what you might create.” After all, Michelangelo was primarily a sculptor, not a painter, and reluctant to take on the challenge. However you create in your life, don’t give up.