The illusion of peace. (meditation).GOOD IS NOT A JUDGMENT we can make about ourselves. We instinctively react against Ingres See Ingres II.' young marquis, who so obviously has a high opinion of himself. Whether he considers himself virtuous VIRTUOUS - Virtual Home UMTS on Satellite is not spelled out, but he stands before us with the restrained smirk of self-admiration. Those who are genuinely good always doubt their goodness. Peace does not depend upon anything, certainly not upon our own certainty of moral righteousness. It depends upon humble desire (with the emphasis on humble) to do what is right. Ingres' sitter, decorations prominent, simplicity of attire elegantly visible, hands electric with a sense of superiority, has a totally dependent kind of peace. Humiliation and failure would explode it, whereas true peace is impervious to events. Peace rests upon the decision always to struggle toward goodness, whatever our condition. In this light, one feels compassion for Amedee-David, with all his spiritual disadvantages. By SISTER WENDY BECKETT of Norfolk, England, well-known for her BBC and PBS television art series and her popular art books. Reprinted with permission from: Sister Wendy's Book of Meditations (DK Publishing, 1998; 888-342-5357). Painting: Amedee-David, Marquis de Pastoret, by Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres (1826, The Art Institute of Chicago Art Institute of Chicago, museum and art school, in Grant Park, facing Michigan Ave. It was incorporated in 1879; George Armour was the first president. Since 1893 the Institute has been housed in its present building, designed in the Italian Renaissance style by Shepley, Rutan, and Coolidge. Among its famous collections are those of early Italian, Dutch, Spanish, and Flemish paintings, including works by El Greco, Rembrandt, and Hals.). |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion