Introduction


Hello class. My name is Maxine and I'm a creative media major originally from Wisconsin. I just turned 29, and in my free time I like to go camping and explore the mountains with my dogs Archie (pictured) and Atlas, and read in bed with my cats Wednesday and Eevie. And I'm very excited that I'll be graduating with a BFA in the spring!

Giovanni Strazza, “The Veiled Virgin,” ca. 1850s, marble sculpture (photo: https://www.radiofrance.fr/franceculture/a-fascinating-transparency-strazza-s-veiled-virgin-7042784 )

I think The Veiled Virgin by Giovanni Strazza is an incredibly beautiful artwork and is what came to my mind immediately because of the way he was able to replicate the delicacy and lightness of the sheer veil in a material like marble. Everything about the sculpture is incredibly soft - the subject, the virgin Mary, and also her facial expression and gentle turn of the head. It's breathtaking because it doesn't seem like it should be possible to carve something so soft-looking out of stone. Do you agree or disagree?

Thanks for reading, I look forward to the semester!

Comments

  1. DianaSeptember 1, 2022 at 7:40 PM

    Hi Maxine! I love how in the picture it seems like Archie is posing, it is super cute!
    It wasn't that long ago that I first saw The Veiled Virgin. I remember being stunned by how well the veil was carved. I agree with you that it seems like it should not be possible to carve such a soft material from stone. This piece always surprises me when I see it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MaxineSeptember 2, 2022 at 8:51 AM

      Hi Diana! I totally agree, I always wonder how long it took marble sculptors back then to complete a work like this. It would take so much dedication!

      Delete

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