sculpture, statues + Michelangelo's pieta Flashcards
why do catholics have statues of Jesus?
to honour and preserve his memory
preserve
protect
what is the statue something to focus on?
when praying so that the mind can truly connect to god
what does the statue do as catholics do not pray to the statue?
helps to focus the mind and the prayer on Jesus
what do the statues of Jesus remind catholics of?
the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus when they pray in church
how does the statues of Jesus help catholics?
to connect with and appreciate the great sacrifice that Jesus made for the world
what can the statues of Jesus act as?
inspiration and strength for catholics during hard times so that when they pray, they can draw strength and comfort knowing that they are in the presence of Jesus
what are the statues of the Virgin Mary and the saints used to remind?
of lives those people lived
how does the statues of the Virgin Mary and the saints help catholics?
to feel close to the saints
or to give strength when they are suffering
why do catholics believe that the saints prayers are particularly effective?
since saints led holy lives and are close to god in heaven
this means that often, we ask particular saints to pray for us if we feel they have particular interest in our problem
why do many people ask saint Monica to pray for them?
when they have trouble with unanswered prayers
prayed for 20 years for her son to be comforted and her prayers were finally answered in a way she never dreamed of - her son, Augustine became a saint and a doctor of the church
who is saint Monica?
the mother of st Augustine
why do many catholics use statues of the Virgin Mary?
to make them feel less alone if they are suffering
what is Mary a perfect example of?
a mother who suffered as she had to watch the death of her own son
why is Mary a role model for catholics?
she was a willing and obedient servant of god
she was willing to put the needs of others ahead of her own
so statues of Mary can inspire people to follow her example
why do catholics use sculpture and statues?
to express what they believe about god’s goodness
what do the sculptures and statues give a glimpse of?
god reaching out to his creation in order to try and hep or save
what does the statues of Jesus on the cross highlight?
the incarnation where god became man in Jesus
was willing to sacrifice his life for others
why do Orthodox Jews reject catholic beliefs regarding statues?
the torah makes it clear that jews should not create or worship idols
what would Orthodox Jews class statues as?
being examples of idols as the 2nd commandment that was given to Moses on mount sinai states “do not worship idols”
what belief does statues challenge jews?
monotheism that was introduced to Abraham
who was Abraham?
the patriarch or founding father of judaism
where is the monotheism belief reinforced?
in their daily prayer, the shema
what is the difference between catholic churches and synagogues?
synagogues have no statues on show
only symbols in the synagogue are the ark of the covenant and the eternal light
what is the jewish term of the ark of the covenant
Aron Kodesh
what is the jewish term for eternal light?
Ner Tamid
what will protestant churches ensure that their buildings are?
plain and simple
why do protestant church only have a simple cross?
argue that statues breaks the 2nd commandment an that they are too distracting
concerned that ppl will start to worship and idolise the statue rather than focusing their attention on god
what are the protestant churches concerned?
concerned that ppl will start to worship and idolise the statue rather than focusing their attention on god
what can statues be used to help catholics?
reflect on the meaning of suffering
what is one of the most famous sculptures to show catholic beliefs?
Michelangelo’s Pieta
what does the word ‘pieta’ mean?
in latin, for holiness
what does the sculpture represent?
sculpture represents the suffering of both Jesus and Mary
what can the statue help?
focus on their prayers on god when they too are suffering
how old was Michelangelo when he created his sculpture?
24
how did he carved the pieta?
from one large block of marble
how did he describe the object to carve the pieta?
“the most perfect block of marble he had ever used”
what does the pieta represent?
the important catholic beliefs
pieta
1. what does Mary not directly touch?
2. what is Mary’s right arm doing?
3. what does that symbolise?
- does not directly touch the body of her son, Jesus
- her right arm gently caresses his flesh through a cloth
- the sacredness of his suffering and the sacredness of his body
pieta
1. what was the shadow created by?
2. what does the wound reveal?
- the fold in her garment and is said to present a wound
- the pain and suffering that Mary is feeling
pieta
1. what does Mary’s hand which is open symbolise?
2. what does this show about her?
- that she accepts the suffering that Jesus has went through
- that Mary who is although sad is aware of god’s plan for Jesus
pieta
1. what does Jesus in Mary;s arm symbolise?
2. what emphasise on this?
3. why can catholics use this aspect to focus on?
- a mother holding her child
- Mary is much larger than Jesus
- focus their prayers when they are suffering
