Religious art can certainly be dreary and, ironically, uninspired (so much of "Christian rock, for example) but watching the Ken Burns Country Music documentary has reminded me again how much beauty has come from the Christian religion--music such as Keep on the Sunny Side and Will the Circle Be Unbroken, as well as Handel's Messiah, paintings such as Michaelangelo's Sistine Chapel, and the architecture of the great cathedrals of Europe. What do you think--are there any saving graces in Christianity, or is it all monstrous, or boring, or somehow both monstrous and boring?
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9 comments
Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.I can appreciate art forms that had/have their basis in religion the old stuff that has survived is not monstrous and boring, newer stuff yeah. By the same token there is some non religious art I find both monstrous and boring
silverotter11
Level 9
Oct 7, 2019
0
Artists take their inspiration from what is around them ... and they are paid by people with an excess of money .... for most of history the church and aristocrats were the major fundholders commisioning art, so of course much of what was produced has a religious context.
Personally I have no problem dissociating the artistic beauty from the religions for which it was created.... and the world is a better place for their architecture, artworks and music.
ShadowAmicus
Level 8
Oct 5, 2019
1
I have no problem with religious art or music if it gets you moving and inspired. In this case it is the messenger not the message. Good music is an emotionally good experience.
starwatcher-al
Level 7
Oct 5, 2019
1
Interesting choice of words - saving grace - as the central “work of art” coming from authentic Christianity is the allegory of salvation. It’s unfortunate that it has been so misinterpreted and corrupted for so long that intelligent people can’t bear to look at it.
So we look at the architecture instead.
skado
Level 9
Oct 5, 2019
1
Being an art lover and atheist are not mutually exclusive. I have been an atheist since age 13.
At age 15, my parents took us four kids to Europe on an art tour. In Rome, I fell in love with "The Pieta" by Michaelangelo. Stood transfixed, drinking in the gorgeous marble folds, the exquisite pain on Mary's face and the beautiful composition.
As an artist, Michaelangelo depended on the wealth of the Catholic Church and the favor of popes to finance his marble sculptures. He was forced to depict religious symbols.
When rich families like the Medici commissioned Michaelangelo's art, he produced non-religious sculptures such as "Dawn and Dusk."
LiterateHiker
Level 9
Oct 5, 2019
3
Expressions of art are beautiful, meaningful and uplifting, but only to those who have been immersed in a piece’s particular symbolism. As a child I was immersed in classical music because my sister was taking piano lessons, and I immersed myself into country music by listening to the radio. As a country boy I was very receptive and understood country music’s subject matter.
Here’s a country song that I especially like. Even if you don’t like country music, the warm smiles say a lot, and this is no ordinary fiddling, let me tell you.
WilliamFleming
Level 8
Oct 5, 2019
2
I like any kind of music as long as it's good, this is good. He can sing as well as the good old boys.
Love Clarence Brown. Saw him live at a small venue in Orlando once. Has a great sense of humor.
@skado I wish I could have seen him live. I read that he has died.
Because songs about cheating & drinking are so religious? In those documentary bits, the narrator pays lip service to "gospel" but the featured songs, and the lives of their performers, are anything but.....
AnneWimsey
Level 9
Oct 5, 2019
0
Here’s a great gospel song just for you, for your religious instruction. It was posted earlier by Skado.
@WilliamFleming I do not at all dispute there is some Excellent "church" music, I used to sing in the choir! This, however, ain't it.........
The Ken Burns Country Music documentary highlights the beauty in both the sacred and the profane with good humor:
Don Reid says "..you’ve got to experience Saturday night sometimes to know what Sunday morning’s all about."
and Wynton Marsalis says "...you've got to get purified on Sunday so you can do the same thing again next Saturday...Come on, now."
Ancient Religious art is often most beautiful in the arts.
Today Religious in the arts, like in music rock bands
Is about the worst kind of copycats junk on the market and lacking soul.
Castlepaloma
Level 8
Oct 5, 2019
1
Sadly, I have to agree with you. At least in terms of the Christian music I've encountered on the radio for the last 40-50 years. Machines could--and probably will--write better stuff than most Christian rock.
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