Does Realism Make Good Art? Advent Meditation on Raphael’s “The Alba Madonna”
Are you critical of cubism or other forms of modern art as it departs from realistic depiction? Raphael’s ““The Alba Madonna” c. 1500 has some pleasing realistic parts to it, but it is the symbolic, non-realistic parts that make it a meaningful painting. The Christ child holds a cross in his hand and his focus is upon it. In the Gospels, the adult Jesus is intent upon his passion. When did he come to a realization that his first Advent would include the crucifixion? As the infinite Son of God, did he not know about the cross prior to his incarnation? As a baby, did he know about his role as the sole propitiation for the sins of the world? When did Jesus possess a messianic realization? What first century mother under the yoke of Rome would allow her baby to play with a toy cross, the implement of capital punishment? Mary’s gazes through the cross, “pondering these things in her mind.” Is she lost in thoughts stimulated from the reading of the book in her lap? Or is she thinking about her son and his miraculous birth and life mission? Continue reading »
