The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1873-07-20
r. g.. =. fCammunicatedl
The Fine Arts In Our Cathedral.

The Fine Arts In Oar Cathedral.
Last week friend advised us to visit tho
Cathedral, and there crafty Whatever love OF
the beautiful we possess, by examining the
fresco work just completed. Accordingly we
went, and do not regret the visit. -
On entering the church from st. Anthony's
Alley, the several specimens are presented to
| the eye in q grand harmonious whole-the
diasely above the choir is q medallionsof .The
Annunciation." Over the centre of ths nave,
The TRANSPORTATION" Ia surrounded by me-
dallions Of the four Eyangelists. Each pillar
is surmounted by an image of, one Of the
| twelve Apostles. To the right of the sanc.u-
airy is an Angel of the New Law, holding in
one hand cross, in the other chaliee to the
left, an Angel Of the Old Law, having the rod
Of Aaron and the tables Of the law. Over the
altar is figure of the Sacrifice of the Mass,
taken from the Apocalypse. In rear of the
Sanctuary, and considerably higher than the
Altar, is large picture of ST. Lonis (patron of
the cathedraD announcing the Fourth Crusade
30 much for the general design, now for con-
alteration Of each. - :. -
"The Annuneiation" is q Triumph of art II
spea1s the more thsa angel sweetnesssof Mary,
the respectful attitude Of Gabriel, the wonder.
ment Of the Virgin how such things could be
to her who knew not man, and the re-assuring
tidihgs Of the angelic messenger. 1t breathes
the story of our faith. We are led to think
upon the inception of Christianity. We see
the home at Nazareth. The Child God is
there. He lives his days of infancy with Mary
and Joseph, passes the years of adolescence,
and arrives at the strength of maturity. ALI
this is suggested to the reflective mind. And
more! 1t brings rs back to the prophecies
relating to the "desired of nations" through
the intervening ages, qatil we reach that day
on which mans first dfsobedience
With loss OF Eden, till one greater man
Restore us, and regain the blissful seat"
Here is an earnest of the advent of that
greater man, Here is made manifest the
fulfillment of q Code promise. Here is she
through whose agency was Satan's power to
be destroyed. No dull representation. No
artful play of little lghts, No straining after
effect. But an animated likeness, whose design
is correct and elegant, whose coloring is char
aoterfzed by freshness and maguifcence. We
could not but be pleased. Yet we thought the
curvature of GsbrieFs right arm might have
been less stiff. Possibly this was owing to the
position from which We had to view the work
Even were the picture faulty in this respect,
we could not condemn the whole on account
of one slight imperfection. True criticism,
besides being analytic, must be synthetic.
The medallions of the four Evangelists,
Matthew, Luke, Mark and John, are remark
able for painstaking and careful imitation
of the standard models. They are appropri-
ately placed around "The Transfguration, !"
the record of which they have transmitted us.
The latter is of the Raphael design. Except |
ing the features of Elias, which seemed to MS
not sufficiently defined, the execution is really
beautiful. The Sayiour's face is indeed "radi- |
ant as the sun, and his garments white and
shining" The figures of Peter, James and
John express the great fear and awe with
which they witnessed the grandest of miracles.
The postures here painted are those which |
would be assumed by persons whose souls are
filed with "mighty dread" In fact, the out |
line and filing of each body show decided |
knowledge of anatomy. Hspein the artist
cannot be too highly commeAaed.
The picture of each Apostle is worthy a |
lengthy and minute study,aTbe several fea- |
lures shadow forth the preaominaut eharac- |
teristics for which their poseessor was noted. |
The varieties of expression and insxpIicable
distinetives of individual man successfully de-
lineated by the artist, are deserving any praise
that may be accorded him. Their places over
the pillars naturally recall the fact Of their
being the chosen supporters of the Catholic |
Church.
The Angels of the Old and New Law, and.
the .mysttcRl representation of the Sacrifice
taken from the Apocalypse, are beautiful spe-
cimens of Imaginative painting. There is
about them an ideallty Of conception which