Hi all,

I've just posted an article about Michelangelo. He was a true Renaissance Man; painter, poet, architect and engineer. But what he loved most, throughout his life was sculpture. So Michelangelo, His Sculpture looks at his life and his favorite work.

What is your favorite work by Michelangelo? I have several, but I think David is my absolute favorite.

Helen,

I have had a crush on David my whole life - he is beautiful!

Michelangelo was a very unique individual. I love all his works. Thanks for the article!

My pleasure, Phyllis,

I know just how you feel about David! When I was 21, shortly after graduating from college, a friend and I went to Italy for a week. We had both majored in art so you can imagine the sense of awe we felt standing in the Academia in Florence in the presence of the Original!

Il Davide is perfect. I was enthralled when I saw the original. But the one that made me feel deep emotion was the Piet� . The folds of the marble on the skirt of Mary seem almost as if they are moving slightly in a breeze.

Ah! The Pieta is very emotional. I often marvel about the way an artist can get such detail into a sculpture. Did you get to touch the sculptures Helen and Kristen? I can imagine the beauty of the actual work soaking into me if I was able to touch them.

No, one can't touch those sculptures or any other priceless works of art, they are positioned so that the public can't get too close to them. (The oils from people's fingers would end up discoloring and damaging them.) Although a few years ago a deranged man managed to climb up into the niche where the Pieta is displayed and beat at it with a hammer. He did some damage that has been repaired, but ever since then the sculpture has been displayed behind bulletproof glass.

Well, I am not deranged...and I realize that it would not be a good idea for people to just touch them whenever they want. Can you imagine what those beautiful works of art would look like if everyone who saw them touched them? It would be devastating. I was just kind of fantacizing there, I guess.

Please Phyllis! I did not mean to imply that you are deranged for wanting to touch a work of art! Most of us want to, which is why they have to be protected. But to try to destroy a priceless work of art by smashing it to pieces with a hammer cannot be considered normal behavior in any way.

Some pieces of art have been available to touch for centuries, though. There is an ancient bronze statue of St. Peter just down the aisle from the Pieta in St. Peter's in Rome, and it has been the custom over the ages for people to rub his toes while praying for a blessing. The toes are worn down nearly smooth and shiny bright, and there is a sense of connection with centuries of supplicants when you touch them. Every one had carried a molecule or 2 of bronze away on their fingers, and I did too.

Yes, Claybird, I rubbed the S. Peter statue also.

My husband and I also rubbed the right breast of the staute of Juliet at the home in Verona, Italy where it is believed the real life Juliet of "Romeo and Juliet" fame lived. It is worn to a satin smoothness from all the lovers of the world who do exactly what we did.(there was a legend of Romeo and Giulietta from centuries before Shakespeare wrote his immortal story. They did marry, did not die, and eventually, separated. She went to a convent and he became a soldier. I researched this for my thesis and it was very interesting!)

I didn't touch the Pieta or David. The Pieta, even back when I saw it was behind a rope or something. David stands on a pedestal which is taller than me, so it wasn't an option.

I did touch the sculpture in St. Peter's that Claybird refers to, though. But to tell you the truth, I'm a very visual person, just seeing things in person is all I need for the full experience, I really am not driven to touch art work.

Oh! I know you did not imply that to me personally, Claybird. Do not be concerned about that. I know you were referring to the nut with the hammer.

I was just kind of wondering what it would be like to touch something made by a great artist. To touch a sculpture made by Michelangelo, to me, would be like touching his hands and feel the strength and power of his creativity and maybe even get a feeling of his thoughts as he molded each and every part of the piece.

Like Helen, I am visual and can drink in the beauty with my eyes - but, I am also tactile and love to touch something to add to my vision. Of course, I would not try to touch a priceless work of art - but, I do dream.

Kristen, I would love to hear more about the "real Romeo and Juliet". That sounds so very interesting.

I will write more next week on it. I'm out on a boat every day for scuba. I get onl;ine very little this week.

Enjoy! Kristen. Lucky you!