The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-02-09

A. V. Bower, of this city, appeared |
in the Standard course of the Young |
Mems Christian association last eve
ming in the high school auditorium.
The subject of his lecture was Michael
Angelo. 1t was one of the best, IL not
the best, in the series. Mr.. Bower is a
brilliant speaker, and Is a favorite in
his home city. where his wide culture
ard delightful manner of presenting
subjects are greatly appreciated. His
scholarly development of the fascinat-
ing theme of last evening was heard
with wrapt interest by a large aud
ienco.
Mr. Bowers lecture was made addi-
tionally attractive by magnificent set
OF illustrations comprising not only the
most illustrious work in Scripture and
| painting by the great master but also
many by Raphael These views were
| taken by special order of Mr.. Bower,
| who has spent much time during the
| past seven years IN collecting material
on this subject.
In beginning the speaker said that
he did not purpose giving history of
the turbulent times nor of the artist
contemporaries of Michael Angelo, but
| to simply follow the one life, which,
| in it's field of labor as architect, ar
| tist and sculptor, stands foremost.
| Caprisi, the birthplace of the great
| artist, was described with graphic
| touches, as were also his early days,
when the triumph of the young genius
began with his being bound by the
elder Buonorotti to learn the art of
painting with a master.
HIS EARLY WORK.
four when he finished the Pieta, which
still remains unrivalled for the union
of sublime aesthetic beauty with pro-
found religious feeling. The immortal
loveliness of death in the recumbent
figure of the Christ in the arms of his
sorrowing mother. caused all previous
productions to pass into shadow. With
the production of the colossal statue Of
David he became the master of all
Italy. His favor with Pope julius III
resulted in the commission for tomb
which would have occupied the greater
part of his life had not the death of
the Pope ended the project, which
caused more sorrow, disappointment
and misunderstanding than all his
other efforts.
The work in the sistine and the diff
fculties thrown round it by Bramante
were described. The record of twenty
months toll resulting in seventy COM
| plete pictures stands unparalleled. 1t is
said by Kugler that it contains the
most perfect work done by Michael
Angelo in his long and active life. The
scenes from Genesis are the most sub
lime representations of these subjects.
Here his great spirit appears in its
noblest dignity, its highest purity.
When we reflect upon the extent of
the Sistne Vault, the difficulties pre-
sented by it's curves, when we remem-
Der that this enormous space is alive
with 343 figures in every conceivable
attitude, some twelve feet high, those
seated as prophets and sibyls measur-
ing nearly eighteen feet when upright,
when we see all animated with extra
ordinary vigor, presenting types of the
utmost variety and vivid beauty, inn
agination quails before the intellectual
. energy which could first conceive a
scheme so complex and then carry IL
with such mathematical precision in its
mnutest details, the results seem over
whelming.
MEDICI TOMB DESCRIBED.
The Medici tomb was described in
detail, and description of the great
masterpiece, the Last Judgment fol-
lowed, and his work on ST. Peters
was rapidly delineated, and then the
speaker passed on to his genius as q
poet, saying HE was not only a sculp-
tor, artist and architect, but a poet
: less known to the world than he should
} be. So great was he in other respects
that his powers as poet are dwarfed
Had he been but a poet he would have
: been recognized as a great poet.
Michael Angelo and Dante were
: alike. Had they lived in the same
age what union their communion
would have been. AS Michael Angelo
was an artisan expressing in innum
cradle material forms the great inspr
alton of his unequalled genius and in
spired soul, so Dante crew from pol
itcs, history, morals. Lature and al
! heavenly mysteries the materials will
which he created his intellectual mas
, terpieces."
At the age of 81 the great artist dice
active to the last. To him life mean
responsibility. He had no peace, evei
in old age. He never married, and hi
; only bride was art. His father anC
; brother were not friendly toward him
and yet ht supported them, in orde
to do so sleeping with his workmen
instead Of having his own room. Tn,