Stephenson Family Ties

is for Naked


When I was in high school, many, many, many years ago, I read a book. (I did read more than one book in high school) This particular book was one of those rare books that has still stayed with me these 30+ yrs later. The name of this book- The Agony and the Ecstasy , by Irving Stone.
At the time of my reading it, I didn’t have a proclivity towards art or history or even Italy for that matter. I can hardly imagine what lead me to pick up that huge book and begin to read. All 776 pages. My guess is that I had read other books by Irving Stone. (I have since read many of his historical fiction novels) For whatever reason it was that I did read it, I can now safely say that this book changed how I saw the world. I know that sounds dramatic, but I believe its really true. Was it because I was young? Or was it because Stone is masterful in transporting the reader to the time and place of the story? It was probably both reasons that I found myself completely enthralled. There I was, in Italy, in the early 1500’s, watching Michelangelo Buonarrotis' life unfold. His story created such an appreciation in me for the art of the Renaissance era and for the artists of that time. I was feeling their passion and realizing their ‘callings’ as artists.
Now, thirty years later, when I was finally able to take my dream trip to see the sites of Italy, it was going to be all about the art- and Michelangelo’s art to be more specific. (Ok that’s a lie! It was also about the FOOD and the company and the smells and the adventure too!!) But the Art!!!! Oh my!!! (see letter O)
My Michelangelo Highlights-

*The Sistine Chapel!!! It was more vivid and alive than I could have imagined. (did you know that he almost went blind painting that ceiling laying there on his back?!)

* The Vatican- so loaded with the most amazing collection of sculpture and art- it would take decades to take it all in.

* The David- Oh my!! I don' think it's an overstatement when the statue has been described this way-”The grace of this figure and the serenity of its pose has never been surpassed.”

May I share with you some of the history and reasons this beautiful statue moves me so deeply.

There was a block of Tuscan marble laying in a marble quarry, stored away in the ‘graveyard’ of rejected or unusable stone. Michelangelo was commissioned to sculpt. He’s 26 years old. He found the block and recorded in his journal this description of what he saw-

"In every block of marble I see a statue as plain as though it stood before me, shaped and perfect in attitude and action. I have only to hew away the rough walls that imprison the lovely apparition to reveal it to the other eyes as mine see it."—Michelangelo

As with all his sculptures, he envisioned his part in ‘releasing’ whatever it was that was inside the stone. This concept sends chills and thrills through me. It took him 3 years to get David out from the confines of the marble. He had no helpers, which was contrary to common practice back then. He built a wooden screen around the block so that he could work in private.

So…. When I finally made it to Florence and took my place in line and made my way through the halls of the Galleria dell’ Accademia searching for the David, I was literally feeling the butterflies of anticipation. As I approached the mezzanine in which David stood, I could no longer restrain my emotions. I was rather surprised that I felt tears on my face. A dream of mine had be realized. These were tears of gratitude for the opportunity of being in Italy, and being able to see the things that I had only dreamed of seeing. They were also tears of awe and wonder, because David is beyond magnificent !! There he stood, towering 17 feet into the firmament (a little drama here) He was everything I had imagined and then so much more. Its hard to imagine just how genuinely huge he is. I'd read about the blue veins in the marble showing through perfectly in his arms and legs,and of his knitted brow, but he was beyond the grandeur I was expecting, standing there on his dais. I will forever hold to my opinion that he is the most beautiful piece of sculpture on this planet. He came from stone, out of the mountains of Italy, was crafted by a gifted master, and made larger than life.

As you can see, this blog post really had nothing to do with nakedness, except there David is-
Standing there for all to see ( all 9 tons of him!!)in perfect form, telling the world that :"God made man, and it was GOOD!!!"

Michelangelo Buonarroti, thank you so much for sharing your talents and gifts with the world!!
Irving Stone, bless you too, for writing a book that touched my heart and soul with an undying appreciation for art and the artists who create!!