Discovering the Power of Art in Rome

          Today I realized that we only had one more day to spend in Rome. Time really flies when you're having a fantastic time learning and exploring. To think about leaving such a beautiful place filled with such a humble culture, great food, and history makes me so sad. It's hard to admit, but I'm truly heartbroken that we have to go. Ten days wasn't near enough time to fully experience all aspects of the Roman humanities. There are definitely some places that I need to revisit in the future, as well as some places I plan on showing my parents so they can experience what I have felt these past several days. It is an amazing feeling to actually connect with something on a higher level of thinking, especially when it's unexpected. The many different docents I have had have all opened my eyes to new topics in history, and all have encouraged these connections I'm having, especially with art.  Here are descriptions of my top three “aha” moments with Roman art and architecture.

1.  Borromini and Bernini rivalry and effective style of baroque art in complementing the counter reformation. I found it very interesting that these two brilliant minds didn't get along with each other, but it's understandable because they were complete opposites. One was always trying to outdo the other which made them both produce to their full potential. They both basically created stepping stones to a new style of art and architecture that they perfected very well. Bernini's sculptures were breath taking, the movements and the aura they gave off made them seem like they were alive. Borromini's fantastic architectural style really demonstrate his hard work and dedication towards how serious he was about his art. Their influences on church architecture were amazing, both making you feel warm and close to God.

2. Caravaggio's paintings really made me feel some type of way. He related to poor people and changed a lot of ways we look at art. He showed true emotions portrayed through suffering, not only other people but his own. He showed emotions through painting realistic characteristics of actual people which was breaking the rules at this time. His renegade approach to living life was very vivid and spoke to me.

photos courtesy wikimedia commons

3.  Seeing Michelangelo’s Last Judgement was emotional – more so than I had expected. Because we had learned about Michelangelo’s situation when he painted this (doubting his destiny after death and possibly battling the faith that he’d heavily believed in his entire life), the painting was brought to life for us in a new and unexpected way. This painting was a broad summarization of his understanding of life – which turned out to be a beautiful work of art. It made me sad to an extent, but also brought joy to my soul in an odd way – because even though the story was sad, I felt joyful because I understood his clear message.

photos courtesy wikimedia commons

            Before we left for Italy, all I could think about was food and how delicious everything was going to be, which it was, don't get me wrong. But when I stood and looked at a painting or a sculpture and analyzed them with insightful docents from Context Travel, it was like I could feel the emotions and all the characteristics of the artist. In that moment, I could picture what the artist was trying to share and connect them to my emotions and personal experiences. It's a beautiful process through my eyes, and I am so excited to make connections between the art history skills that I have developed and all of the art at home and abroad that I have yet to experience.  

- Malik lee

True Art Revealed

Photo credit: David Marks

Scipione Borghese, an Italian Cardinal from 1610 to 1633, was a very strong willed and conniving art collector who built a palace to match and display one of the finest art collections in the world.  His legacy was the establishment of the art collection of the Villa Borghese. This man’s attempts get his hands on the rarest art around wasn't always through the most pleasant of means. Although he stole and forced most people out of their art for his collection, I am really grateful that he did. I know that sounds selfish, but when I entered the museum, it was honestly the first time I made a true connection with art.

It's hard to describe, but I could feel the emotions and connect with the characteristics of the wonderful pieces that were displayed before me.  Witnessing Bernini's sculptures and paintings by other great artists gave me the appreciation to truly start to understand Baroque art. You can do all the research you want in the world on Baroque art, but until you stand before these works of genius, it is difficult to grasp the story and the history behind the artists’ emotions towards their work. After spending two hours at this magnificent Villa Borghese with Context Travel’s phenomenal guide, Hilary, I felt like a child opening up the biggest box he could find on a gentle Christmas Day. Two of my favorite pieces in the Villa Borghese were a statue by Bernini and a painting by Raphael.

Gian Lorenzo Bernini was one of the finest artists and contributors to the most beautiful sites we see today in Rome. He wasn't perfect, and he happened to make some erratic choices when it came to picking the right marble for his statutes. Unlike Michelangelo who really took pride in the selection of the perfect marbles to use, Bernini accepted his marble blocks sight unseen. This really made me frustrated, because I felt that if he would have taken that extra step to trying to perfect not only himself but his art, he could have true perfection in his statutes.

photos courtesy wikimedia commons

Besides the small imperfections in the marble - pockmarks here, black cracks and stains there, they all spoke to me. The one that really appealed to my emotions from all directions was Bernini's Apollo and Daphne. Do you know this extraordinary statue - and the story behind it? Our amazing docent told us to use the perspectives that Bernini wanted us to, as we viewed the sculpture. As you walk around the delicate carving from a single slab of marble, you have to imagine that you don't know the myth of the statute. At first from behind, it's gentle - you can see only a man running for something he wants. Then from the side, I got this sense of them making love and enjoying a good time. Next, Bernini  revealed from the front that it was the complete opposite since she looked in distress and was trying to run away from Apollo. Bernini did a great job of showing actual movement in the sculpture. It's almost as if you could predict the next sequence of movements about to happen. Finally, when I reached the last side, I felt Daphne’s pain, as well as Apollo’s lust. This could have all been avoided if Cupid could have taken a joke and not caused Apollo to be a crazed man in love with an untouchable woman, but then we would not have this interesting story and even more unbelievable statue to gaze upon.

photos courtesy wikimedia commons

Another piece within the gallery, Raphael's painting of the Deposition of Christ, was a perfect example of Renaissance art that helped me view art in a completely different way. Hilary sat us all down and told us to imagine lines crossing corner to corner on the canvas. Then she spoke about how Renaissance art was all about balance. Beside the emotion of a mother’s greatest grief being portrayed, it also showed perfect balance in numbers and in color.

Before I experienced Context’s walk on Italian art at the Villa Borghese, I never thought there were so many messages and higher level of thinking put into all this paint on canvas or carved marble. This walk really changed my mind about art and the way I view and process canvas and sculptures. It was very emotional for me and left me somewhat upset when we ran out of time, as analyzing art is something that I grew to appreciate once I was shown how to do it.  I cannot wait to dive into artwork in the future that will open my eyes to new worlds beyond those of Bernini and Raphael.   

-Malik Lee