Was researching paintings of Mary (AWS) as inspiration for a work in progress. This one is quite exceptionally beautiful. Don't you think?
The artist is William Adolphe Bouguereau. (d. 1905)
Oh my goodness, that is an amazing painting. I'm going through Civilisation, by Kenneth Clark right now, which is helping me a lot with contextualizing art from generations past. You get a badge when I next have one.
Yeah, though it's based on a television series which author himself recommends that over the book. I'm not exactly a widely read man of art, but definitely enjoying it as an introduction. I picked it on Paul Graham's recommendation:Kenneth Clark was a star in his day, thanks to the documentary series Civilisation. And if you read only one book about art history, Civilisation is the one I'd recommend. It's much better than the drab Sears Catalogs of art that undergraduates are forced to buy for Art History 101.
My grandparents have always had a print of this in their home for as long as I can remember. edit: I too searched his work and it's amazing. This image really struck me and although I don't know the project you are working on alpha0 perhaps it's relevant? Either way, it's a moving piece and makes for an interesting counter-image to your post. La Pieta 1825
Oh, Don't be. It is a common misconception: God is not interested in misery of Creation, nor would S/HE purchase ITS own Redemption at the price of the suffering of a Dearly Beloved. What kind of Loving would that be? I'm certain you would not consider a "love" worthy of the name if it was reducible to a 'business transaction', nor would you accept such a thing from another HUman. So why think in this way about The ONE who IS the Possessor of ALL and Entirely Free from Need? As ALLAH mentioned to the Prophet (SAWS): I am as My servant thinks I am. I am with him when he makes mention of Me. If he makes mention of Me to himself, I make Mention of him to Myself; and if he makes mention of Me in an assembly, I make mention of him in an assemble better than it. And if he draws near to Me an arm's length, I draw near to him a fathom's length. And if he comes to Me walking, I go to him at speed.
At least that is my take on how it is justified.nor would S/HE purchase ITS own Redemption at the price of the suffering of a Dearly Beloved
I think Christians circumvent this thinking via the Holy Trinity. God, Christ and the Holy Spirit are one being, therefore the suffering didn't occur to a beloved other it occurred to God. God voluntarily suffered so that we might wash away our inequities and cleanse our sins Psalm 51:2
Do your self a favor: http://vedabase.com/en/bg http://www.mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt2651.htmGod voluntarily suffered
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.