(map) It’s almost hard not to feel bad for Giuseppe Obici (a good technical sculptor by all means, but no master.) One imagines a note delivered back in 1858… “Dear Giuseppe, wouldn’t you please come down to S.Maria sopra Minerva tomorrow. We would like to commission some art work. – Sincerely, the parish priest.”
Maybe with his sketchbook in hand and thinking “Big break!”, Giuseppe’s heart likely sank like a brick when he was asked to sculpt a statue for the base of the right column by the altar, “you know… to create balance with that other statue, of Christ the Redeemer, over by the left column.”
Why did his heart likely sink? “That other statue” literally glows. Giuseppe’s St. John the Baptist on the other hand instead seems… dusty. “That other statue” employs contrapposto, (counterpoise, dynamic tension), an ancient Greco-Roman technique boldly re-interpreted and re-introduced to the western world (300+ years before Giuseppe) by the statue’s very same sculptor. Giuseppe’s St.John seems to lean backwards a bit, startled, intimidated even. “That other statue” embodies a narrative… Christ is holding, even lovingly guarding, those very same symbols of his martyrdom… not much going on with Giuseppe’s St.John, besides some boilerplate Roman Emperor-like gravitas.
Adding insult to injury, “that other statue” is considered one of the less interesting, less accomplished, early works of its sculptor, AND was apparently done in a rush last minute deadline looming, after having been put off for five years in favor of “more important” work, in order to get back to more important work.
The small brass tags at the base of the statues say it all. Not much stretching of the imagination needed before you turn them into an MC’s announcement at a boxing match. “In the right corner, Giuseppe Obici, featherweight, challenging, ersatz-contender, submitting a John the Baptist… and in the left corner, presenting a Christ the Redeemer, sits the undefeated, triple belt, heavy-weight champion… Michelangelo.”
TKO.
Brave soul to take on the big M! Great note, GB – I’ll have to go inspect these one day.
well done! alas, most of us aspire to “good, technical something-ness” (though, in this day and age, some of us may think we’re “masters,” true masters seem hardly aware that they are!), so a hearty round of empathetic applause for Giuseppe for having the temerity (or desperation?) to take on the commission….
After only reading the first 2 or 3 sentences, I knew right away that I could now, look forward to yet another brilliantly written note by GB!!! You truly have a gift for writing witty, interesting and uniquely “you” pieces. Loved it!!
I agree with Margie – writing is also an art and you are a “master”!
Thanks for our morning Espresso!
with a bold comment a sweeping note we, untalented, make or break a life’s work and it’s worker yet if it were our son’s we would praise to high heaven the accomplishment, costruire, piuttosto che demolire
What a daunting task for Giuseppe, beautifully executed. And such a treat of an article, GB. Thanks
Giberto … Is that really true? Astonishing and fascinating Thanks.
Suzanne and Ron
Enjoyed the commentary! Well done.
I really enjoyed reading this notebook entry. I agree with the words, “no contest” when comparing the two scuptures. It is no contest for the reason it would be like comparing apples to oranges. They styles are different, not good or bad, right or wrong, either or. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Although I can appreciate your perspective, I do not share it. We just see these differently not better or worse from my limited perspective. Thanks for stimulating my thinking and hopefully the thinking of others.
John B
I love that you wrote this, and so well.
I remember seeing this for the first time and thinking both statues were beautiful… but I was thrilled to see the Michelangelo. You are always a delight to read, GB, and I agree with Margie. You are a “master”… many thanks.
I can always tell when the note is written by you! Always entertaining. Always informative and fascinating! Grazie!