I must confess, Renaissance art holds a particular fascination for me - the paintings, sculptures and architecture, are simply exquisite.
Whenever I travel, my favourite activity is to visit the local museums and galleries. The more ancient the better. I’ve been lucky enough to have visited numerous galleries across France and Italy, explored old cathedrals and marvelled at ancient works of art.
The art of the Renaissance has a this timeless allure - the works have endured for centuries, and have been admired by legions of people over the years. The opportunity for me to be able to cast a glance at them has been a truly enriching experience.
The fact that these masterpieces were created by individuals, whose talent and vision have stood the test of time, fills me with a sense of awe the magnitudes of which very few other things have evoked.
I remember seeing the elaborate roof of the Sistine chapel and crying (Much to my husbands embarrassment). The sheer vastness of the work. The masterful brush strokes. The vivid colour and expressive faces. It’s all so special. There are certain things that simply take your breath away.
I often ponder on the thought of the dedication and devotion these artists must have applied in their creation. Their work, it seems, serves as a testament to their artistic ingenuity, an enduring legacy to be enjoyed by generations to come. Yet, I fear the inevitable tide of digital art will replace the old masters, and wonder if the appreciation of the physical will be lost in its wake.
There is of course a case to be made that digital tools make art accessible for those of us who are not as artistically inclined or for those who don’t have the luxury and privilege to travel the world and experience art first hand. But are jumping on the digital bandwagon too eagerly? When last did you encounter something tangible that inspired you? Something that took your breath away? The presence of beauty, such as that found in art, is often taken for granted, but shouldn’t be. I implore you to pause, observe and appreciate the little details that are oftentimes overlooked in the world around us. Be it the height of a building or the intricacies of the architecture, there is so much to be admired. Alas, I must confess that I, too, am guilty of being absorbed in my own world while out and about, either listening to true crime podcasts or engrossed in my phone. It is the beauty of physical art that implores us to pause, look up, and absorb the marvels that surround us.
I fear classical art will soon be seen through the same lense as classical music. As outdated, old, something stiff upper lips who smell of mothballs listen to. And yes I know there are plenty of classical music lovers out there but that is simply not in vogue anymore. I fear that the same fate will follow for classical art. I ache when I think about how much of the old masterpieces are underfunded and could be lost forever.
So until then? I’ll do my part. More Michelangelo and less Midjourney. More visits to physical museums and less time with my nose in a screen. I make it my mission to inspire the next generation of art lovers starting with my very own little human.
Will you join me on this quest?
