I could not take my eyes off it.
“It” is a sculpture of Jesus bearing the cross by Michelangelo. This piece stands in Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, the only Gothic church building in Rome.
This church was the scene of Galileo’s trial before the church in 1633. This is a magnificent church located about one block from the Pantheon.
Now I am not an art connoisseur by nature. I do not profess to know anything about art, however like most people, I like to look at beautiful things. Let me tell you this thing was beautiful.
There are not too many works that mesmerize me in the art world, except maybe those hidden picture art pieces that were popular until everyone got eye strain looking at them. Hopefully they were banned by the FDA or whatever government agency controls fatigue-art.
I was able to sit on a pew in front of this statue with my wife and we just stared in amazement.
There was a reflection on the large marble column behind Jesus and the longer I gazed at him, I noticed the reflection was moving down toward him. I waited until the reflection was behind his head. At the right time, as it looked like a haloed crown, I took some photos and got the result I wanted. I had to shoot the picture at a fast ISO since it was dark inside the building, so it is a little grainy. I did not want to use a flash, most flashes are not allowed inside the historical churches of Rome.
No matter what has happened in the history of God’s church throughout the past two thousand years, this sculpture reminded me that Jesus is Lord of all and his sacrifice still covers the sins of man. I don’t pretend to know the heart of Michelangelo, but I do know this, God was glorified that day in Rome.
I think my wife and I experienced the love of Christ and felt a little closer to God that day. Because of the talent of one artist living in Italy over five hundred years ago, a couple from eastern Kentucky were blessed…that is truly amazing.
If you like this photo, you can see more here.
Pictures From the Side of the Road 