4.5 Sculptures and Statues Flashcards
Why are statues and sculptures a good way of expressing belief?
There is nothing hidden or anything that requires interpretations.
How do statues and sculptures of the Virgin Mary and Christ reflect belief?
- Statues of the Virgin Mary with her baby (Madonna and child) show Mary pointing to Christ reflecting the belief that although she is the mother of God, she is a witness to her son, who is more important than her. For example, Our Lady of Walsingham.
- Statues of the Virgin Mary with her adult child portray Mary as young, too young to be the mother of the child she is holding, showing that she is her son’s daughter as much as he is her son. Like in Pieta
How does the statue of Our Lady of Walsingham reflect belief?
- Mary is pointing to Christ reflecting the belief that although Mary is the the mother of God, she is a witness to her son, who is more important than her.
- Mary is holding a budding lily representing the ancestory of Christ as the Messiah.
- The halos show their holiness.
- Christ is holding a Bible reflecting the belief that Christ is the Word of God.
How does the sculpture Pieta by Michaelangelo reflect belief?
- Mary is portrayed as young too young to be the mother of the child she is holding showing that she is her sons daughter as much as he is her son.
- Christ’s face is serene and resigned, rather than being wracked with pain showing that he is the Saviour who sacrificed himself willingly.
How do Stautes of the Sacred Heart of Jesus reflect belief?
- The Statues are based on the visions of St Margaret Alocaque and show the heart of Christ exposed, surrounded by a crown of thorns with fire burning within in.
- The thorns represent the Passion of Christ.
- The fire represents the eternal love of Christ.
How do statues of St Peter reflect belief?
- Bronze statues of St Peter are copies of the one in St Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
- They show St Peter raising one hand in blessing, and clutching onto the keys to the kingdom of heavne wit the other hand, reflecting the beleif that St Peter was the rock on which Christ built his church, and gave the authority to forgive sins. Catholcis believ that the Popes are the successors of Peter, charged with looking after the church on earth.
How are statues and sculptures used?
- Any Catholic churhc will have a statue of the Scared Heart of Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary, St Peter, the patronal saint and other saints. These statues asre not worshipped themselves, but are a focus of prayer.
- There will be an oppourtunity for votive candles to be lit as a further aid to worship.
- Many Catholics offer their prayers up through siants, and ask them to intercede for them so their prayers have more weight and are more liekly to be answered.
- Catholics may kiss and touch the feetof St Peter in devotion as they enter or leave the church.
What does CCC 2501 say about art?
“Created in the ‘image of God’, man also expresses the truths of his relationship with God the Creator by the beauty of his artistic works”
What does Matthew 16 record?
* Peter being chosen to be the foundation of the church and being given the keys to the kingdom
