Feature Box 3

Arte Divine, in concert with the Vatican Observation Foundation (VOF), selected the CMA’s 83rd Annual Educational Conference for the exhibition of a life-size Michelangelo’s Saint Peter’s Pietà, the only Vatican-authorized, posthumous casting of Michelangelo’s Masterpiece, as a centerpiece for this important three-day Educational Conference. This monumental sculpture represents the very heart of our Faith and brings into sharp focus the need, value and importance of Art in Health Care.

The Art of Faith

In the words of Saint Pope John Paul II, “Art has a unique capacity to nourish the intuition of those who look …In this sense it has been said with profound insight that beauty will save the world. Beauty is a key to the mystery and a call to transcendence that stirs our soul’s yearning to connect with God.” — Michelangelo’s Pietà is the pinnacle representation of this ideal.

Michelangelo created the Pietà between 1498 and 1500. This Pietà is widely viewed as the greatest work of sculpture ever created and marks a watershed event in the Italian High Renaissance. The lamentation of Christ was a theme popular in Northern European art since the 14th century, but Michelangelo’s interpretation of Mary holding a dead Christ in her arms is remarkable in its faithfulness to the Renaissance Humanist ideals of physical perfection and beauty.

The Pietà, which Michelangelo completed before reaching his twenty-fifth birthday, is praised for its technical brilliance and inventive triangular composition. Also notable is the fact that this Pietà is the only work that Michelangelo ever signed. Regretting that he did so in a fit of prideful anger, he vowed never again to sign his own work.

While Mary’s face appears peaceful in the Pietà, it is her left hand, turned upward in helpless resignation, that betrays the true depth of emotion — indeed the intensity of her grief. Note the regal composition of her drapery as it lies in rhythmic and lavish folds beneath the body of the Savior.

In the face of the Savior, Michelangelo’s Pietà reveals only slight traces of the suffering endured. The expression is peaceful, relaxed, and without lingering agony. But, in the body of Christ, highly polished to absolute anatomical perfection, the artist achieved his greatest sculptural triumph.

Michelangelo’s Pietà portrays a chaste and peaceful Mary, absent of all pain and exuding holy sorrow. The sculpture quietly conveys the divine power of this moment.

Michelangelo’s unyielding faith in God remained his main source of inspiration and served as the primary motivation for his greatest works. Michelangelo was a sculptor apart, a lover of stone, and a believer in life everlasting.

Ms. Christina Cox, founder and director of The National Museum of Catholic Arts & Library, Washington, D.C., who hosted the black-tie Unveiling and Exhibition of this Pietà at the 3rd Annual Roman Gala “LA PRIMAVERA” Embassy of Italy, Washington, D.C. on April 2nd, 2014, stated, “As founder and director of the NMCAL, I have been very fortunate to have visited and studied Michelangelo’s original Pietà in Basilica of St. Peter many times throughout my life, and this divinely inspired masterwork has a profound and lasting impact on all those who come to see it. The awe and reverence in the faces of all visitors, when they look upon this work of sacred art, tell of the power of the sacrifice represented so magnificently in this statue; and, what Arte Divine and the Vatican’s VOF accomplished with this life-size casting of the original “Pietà” is miraculous; as this sculpture resonates with all the power and glory of Michelangelo’s original masterwork.”…”This unveiling, followed by the special ceremony with the Archbishop Timothy Broglio blessing the Pietà, set the tone for the entire event and brought into sharp focus the need and spiritual importance of Catholic Art to be present in our day to day lives.”

Arte Divine has cast “Michelangelo’s Saint Peter’s Pietà” using a Vatican-authorized mold of Michelangelo’s original marble sculpture in The Basilica of St. Peter, Vatican City, Rome, and is faithful in every detail to Michelangelo’s original. Cast using a proprietary Carrara marble blend and then painstakingly hand-finished and polished by master artisans, ensuring that every intricate detail of the original masterpiece is exact — from the nuanced folds in Mary’s garments, the lifeless muscles of Jesus’ body, the luminous expression of Mary’s touchingly expressive face, to the bold personal signature of Michelangelo which adorns the delicate sash that runs across her chest and left shoulder — the Pietà is truly a masterwork that demands to be witnessed in all its monumental glory.

David Newren, President of Arte Divine, along with the Vatican’s VOF, authorized the creation of only 100 of these posthumous Pietà marble castings for the world. While some have been acquired by private collectors, most of these exquisite castings have been acquired by generous private or corporate benefactors and then Donated to Catholic Cathedrals, Churches, Hospitals and Academic settings as Legacy Gifts.

A legacy gift is a significant one-time gift usually from the giver’s assets rather than income for the purpose of glorifying God by advancing his Kingdom. The impact of legacy gifts often outlives the donor. A legacy gift can be a milestone in the discipleship journey for a follower of Jesus Christ.

The Vatican’s VOF receives a generous portion of the acquisition funds, which directly benefits their ongoing research into the heavens. In addition to the essential research the VOF performs with these much needed funds, a Gifted Pietà has shown to have long term financial benefits to the donated Church; as the attendance of Parish worshipers, new pilgrims and visitors sharply increase following the installation.

In schools, the Pietà serves to focus the hearts and minds of our students towards God and keeps Him ever present in their daily lives. In hospitals the Pietà serve to inspire healing, hope, peace and compassion to the sick, their loved ones and the entire medical staff. Clinical and academic research over the past 10 years has confirmed the strong influence art has on the healing effects of health-care facilities.

A special Blessing Ceremony for this “Pietà”, will take place on the 25th, with all conference attendees welcome to join us for this very special ceremony.

ATTENTION:

Arte Divine will Host a Special “Free-Drawing”, for CMA convention attendees only; for one life-size “Blessed Virgin Mary Bust”, cast from the Pietà and valued at 15,000 USD; with the drawing and announcement of the “Winner” made prior to the closing ceremonies.

Representatives of Arte Divine will be available at the conference to discuss the Pietà Legacy Gift donation mission for Catholic Institutions and to answer all of your questions.