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Caravaggio Calling of St. Matthew
St. Matthew In an intervierw with Pope Francis I, he cites this painting as his absolute favorite. This bold, heavenly depiction of St. Matthew being forced out of darkness by the Light of God is a stunning representation of the personal experience of conversion. Caravaggio recreates the power of religion to compel man on canvas. -
View of Toledo El Greco
El Greco One of two surviving landscapes by the great Spanish artist El Greco. This almost impressionistic painting displays a playfulness with form (the sky and ground seems almost to be vibrating like jello) while its use of color contrasts create a magnetic nighttime view of the old Spanish capital. -
Caravaggio Martyrdom of St. Peter
St. Peter Caravaggio's depiction of the upside down crucifixion of St. Peter is one of the few paintings I have ever seen to give me claustrophobia. His use of chiaroscuro (contrasting light and dark) increases the dread of the moment and gives the viewer the fear of death. -
Hamlet
The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark While I could argue that Julius Caesar is a more tightly wound and powerful play than Hamlet, there is no denying the universal impact of the Bard's Danish prince. This tale of jealousy, betrayal and lust touches on all the evils of the human spirit, and in truly daring fashion, Shakespeare gives the audience no reprieve nor hope. Hamlet lays bare the dark heart of mankind. -
Caravaggio - Sette_opere_di_Misericordia
This allegorical piece by Caravvagio personifies the seven virtues of the Christian faith. My selection of it is because even if you are not Catholic, the virtues on display are universal in their appeal. The use of light and dark creates an incredible effect of the way in which God shines his light on all but human ignorance cannot be fully penetrated (hence the heavy shadows.) Seven Works of Mercy -
Astronomia Nova Johannes Kepler
Kepler Astronomia This study on the movement of Mars in the sky led to a revolution in our understanding of astronomy and contributed to the idea of heliocentrism (sun as the center of the universe). Considered one of the most important astronomical studies in history. -
Plum trees Kano Sanraku
Plum trees What strikes me most about this landscape depicting plum trees in a barren field is the startling purples of the flowers, which leap out from the otherwise rustic surroundings. This piece strikes me as being about rebirth, a theme that has haunted humanty forever. -
King James version of The Bible
KJV Bible Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful linguistically, translations of the Bible. This version is said to contain contributions from the greatest writers of the day. including Shakespeare. -
Don Quixote
Don Quixote de la Mancha The greatest of all novels. Not only is this book, published in one part in 1605 and with a second part in 1615, a pre-cursor for nearly every literary genre following its release to the present day, it is also an undeniable entertainment. With its blend of whimsy, philosophy and satire, Don Quixote speaks to the yearning of the human spirit to be more than the lot in life we are born into. -
Sultan Ahmad Mosque, Turkey
An incredible, moving example of Islamic art. The Sultan Ahmad Mosque, best known as the "Blue Mosque" is a structure of immesurable beauty and ambition. The elegance of the archways, the spiraling towers surrounding the main dome, it is a fluid object as well as a stately building. Blue Mosque -
Cristo de la Buena Muerte Juan de Mesa
Juan de Mesa English Note: The Spanish language page has more detailed information. This depiction of Christ's crucifixion is used in Sevilla's Holy Week ceremonies and is housed in the University of Sevilla. While crucifixes are numerous, this one has a startling beauty to me, perhaps in its simplicity, and in the fact that Chris is adorned solely with rags, rather than the crown of thorns. Reminding us of his humility. -
Novum Organum by Francis Bacon
Francis Bacon Francis Bacon's book opened the door to reductive reasoning and redefining the logical constructs of ancient philosophy. Rather than merely relying on theory and parable like Plato, Bacon wished to prove his theories via real world experiments. Bacon's work here cleared the way for the scientific method we use today. -
Bernini's Apollo and Daphne
Apollo and Daphne A lyrical statue that expresses the wonders of love and harmony. This work captures classical beauty while capturing the timeless essence of passion. -
Michaelangelo Rossi: Erminia sul Giordano (1633)
Michaelangelo RossiSymphony from his opera by the same name. This work expresses a sort of regal beauty and joy, as well as a haunting and somber opening that immediately transported me to the windy streets of Rome. -
Bernini St. Peter's Baldachin
Bernini Baldachin I have stood under this massive, stunning structure and the effect is awe inspiring. St. Peter's Basilica is full of treasures, and this one captures the glory of divinity and adds a certain radical quality to other, more classical and reserved pieces in the Basilica. -
Life is a Dream
Calderon A study on the human condition that acts as an allegory on man's battle between his better and worse natures as well as a a critique on Calvinism. The story also taps into the millenias- old argument that life is but a fignment of our imaginations, and our lives are a laberinth of several realities. -
Matthias Stom Christ Crowned with Thorns
Christ crowned with thorns This work is most striking due to the passivity and calm of Jesus, who also appears to emanating light from his body (the light appears stronger than what the candle is emitting). In Western art, we are used to Jesus being portrayed as the suffering victim or the beatific messiah, but here here is the calm amidts the storm of accusations. -
Descartes's Meditations on First Philosophy
Descartes "I think, therefore I am" comes from this book, arguably the basis for modernist philosophical thought. The impact of this book has resounded to the present day. -
Fontana del Tritone by Bernini
Triton Fountain Commissioned by Pope Urban VIII to commemmorate the re-opening of an acueduct he had had repaired, Triton Fountain was Bernini's first public fountain. There is a majesty and intricacy that captures the maginificent moment when man transcends nature and controls it, depicted here as Titon sprays water from the conch shell. -
Adam Michna - Ceske marianske zpevy
Michna z Otradovic - Ceske marianske zpevyCzech ode to the Virgin Mary. This work is as comforting as it is ephemeral. Captures the reverence and awe of sitting in a cathedral listening to mass on a tranquil Sunday morning. -
The Red Fort Complex
Red Fort Commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan (the same man responsible for the Taj Mahal), the fort served as the royal palace until 1857 when the British exiled the last Mughal emperor. This exquisite building reminds me of a painting in the seemless equilibrium of the towers, poles, and domes. I feel I could look at it for hours.
