Statues and Stories

Throughout our exhibit you have seen examples of the “Reflections of Death”. Yet there is no better way to depict this than through stories. A story can display emotion and attitudes that are not otherwise perceived. In this room, stories will unfold of various prominent occasions of death that will move one like never before. These stories are all characterized by each sculpture.

Sculptures made these statues as a way of having people reflect upon death and the consequences of their life. Equally as important, it helped people focus on the living and improving their own lives. These statues were meant to encourage people to be better than they currently are because once you die you should know that you made a difference and did your very best.

Therefore, in this room we will focus on 3 different works of art, with their own stories. These stories portray death but mainly invoke a sense of empowerment in each of our lives to remember the good we should be doing in our lives and not letting opportunities to pass us by.

Unlike some of the others room within this exhibit, this room is unlike memento mori or its effects because this is not just a reminder from our ancestors. But more of a reminder that death comes in different forms and we must all be aware for our own death will one day appear and what story will be told of us? 

David
Donatello
1430
Located at Museo Nazionale Del Bargello
Florence, Italy

This story is about David and goliath. Goliath was a very large man that continued defeating the Isralites. So the Israelites were continuously sending their best men to go and defeat this Philistine, Goliath. However, one day a small boy named David stood up and said, "I want to fight him" and killed Goliath with only his slingshot. Goliath's head therefore ends up underneath David in this statue. I think this reflection of death reminds the world that no matter your size or what you think, you may be capable you can defeat the hard things in this life if we persist and stand up for ourselves.

La Pieta
Michelangelo
1499
Originally stood at the funerary chapel of Cardinal Jean de Billheres.
Now stands in St. Peter's Basilica.

This sculpture is of Mary, the mother of Jesus, holding his body after it was removed from the cross. This story shows that regardless of the needs and the life that we live, death still happens. It is inevitable and not up to the person who is dying. This statue is very different because it is one of the very first to depict such intense emotion in this very intimate scene of Christ's life. Mary's face is very tranquil and has an open hand representing the meditation in those ages. In this quiet moment before Christ was laid into the tomb, she was probably very quiet because she was contemplating death and the consequences held within it. Whenever a close friend or relative dies, it is natural to reevaluate our lives and think about what we have accomplished or would like to accomplish before death.

Perseus with the Head of Medusa

1545

Located at theLoggia del Lanzi of the Piazza della Signoria

Florence, Italy

This story is how Perseus was sought to bring the head of Medusa to Polydectes. On his journey, he was blessed by the God's with certain gifts in order to help him accomplish this task safely. He accomplished this, but there were many who suffered from his actions. When anyone looked at Medusa, they instantly turned to stone, thereby dying. Perseus showing Medusa's head to the world is almost a symbol of those who were loyal to the God's because he said, "those who are my friends shield their eyes." It is interesting though that Medusa's death still brought many untimely deaths to others.

Sources

Kren, Emil, and Daniel Marx. "Perseus." Web Gallery of Art. Web Gallery of Art, n.d. Web. 18 Apr 2013. <http://www.wga.hu/html_m/c/cellini/3/index.html>

"David." Artble. Artble, n.d. Web. 18 Apr 2013. <http://www.artble.com/artists/donatello/sculpture/david>.

" La Pietà - Michelangelo's Jesus Through the Years ."Constructing Jesus. Blogspot.com, 13 Feb 2010. Web. 18 Apr 2013. <http://constructingjesus.blogspot.com/2010/02/la-pieta-michelangelos-jesus-through.html>..