Astounding craftsmanship, amazing imagination, overwhelming effect on the viewer, but no matter how hard I try I can’t make myself like it.
I loved reading your essay and explanation which helped me understand better the reason for such an “extravaganza” , but Agnes it’s still not to my taste.
However, I do love seeing the world through your eyes and your explanations and observations with your extraordinary depth of knowledge and understanding.
Thank you, for helping me to take a second look at everything from a new angle.
Just fascinating to read this . I live [ part time] near the Gesu and I often stop by there, Once , by chance I came in to the empty Church and saw that a large stone slab had been moved to one side on the Church floor and there were very steep steps leading down , perhaps to an old family tomb in a crypt below? I was so tempted to creep gingerly down the narrow steps and have a look , but I did not have the courage to do so and I still regret it to this day ! What if the slab had been moved back and I would have been trapped down there ! The very interesting Palazzo Altieri [ now the new home of the Scacchi Club] is across the street too
Whenever I'm in Rome (which is not nearly enough) I visit the Gesu. I will visit again when I'm there this September. Yes, the church is clearly "over the top" (e.g., Loyola's statue unveiled when the painting drops) and it's decoration is clearly Post-Reformation 'propaganda' - but it is lovely propaganda for all that.
Fantastic ruminations about the Gesu and the excesses of the Baroque during the Counter-Reformation! This info is the perfect supplement to our ending our Baroque tour at the Gesu! Many happy memories of discussing the the burst of upward and downward activity frantically roiling all in one massive ceiling representation. Entirely too cool and def want to visit again to sit and appreciate the ceiling in my own non-religious pilgrimage to Rome 😎🙌
Excellent photos! I've tried to visit this church at least 4 times, and every time, it's been closed. Honestly, I sort of admire the chillaxed interpretation of "opening hours." I'll get inside one of these days!
I have often thought that the purpose of baroque art is to confuse the eye, and the purpose of baroque music is to confuse the ear. When I visited the Chiesa del Gesu I could hardly bear to look at the ceiling. This is only my personal opinion of course, your description and explanation are fascinating and well thought out as always.
Fabulous! We revisited the Gesu after one of your Zoom talks on the ceiling fresco. The Bernini connection feels like a delicious secret awaiting discovery 😍
Spectacular post! I recall back in 70s art history classes we were encouraged to pooh-pooh this sort of work. I was never clear why. Lately I’m drawn to visit this church again and again- like one of those tired pilgrims. It’s great to read some background on this amazing place. Thanks Agnes!
Excellent observations!
“Illusion and exploitation” does seem to have been a thing for one later Wykehamist, however. 😉
thanks David, yes they're a tricky bunch I understand ;)
Astounding craftsmanship, amazing imagination, overwhelming effect on the viewer, but no matter how hard I try I can’t make myself like it.
I loved reading your essay and explanation which helped me understand better the reason for such an “extravaganza” , but Agnes it’s still not to my taste.
However, I do love seeing the world through your eyes and your explanations and observations with your extraordinary depth of knowledge and understanding.
Thank you, for helping me to take a second look at everything from a new angle.
Much love Picones
thanks Ellie! xx
Fascinating! Great photos.
thanks Jessie!
Just fascinating to read this . I live [ part time] near the Gesu and I often stop by there, Once , by chance I came in to the empty Church and saw that a large stone slab had been moved to one side on the Church floor and there were very steep steps leading down , perhaps to an old family tomb in a crypt below? I was so tempted to creep gingerly down the narrow steps and have a look , but I did not have the courage to do so and I still regret it to this day ! What if the slab had been moved back and I would have been trapped down there ! The very interesting Palazzo Altieri [ now the new home of the Scacchi Club] is across the street too
Intrigued by the crypt stairs, you made a wise decision I think!
Whenever I'm in Rome (which is not nearly enough) I visit the Gesu. I will visit again when I'm there this September. Yes, the church is clearly "over the top" (e.g., Loyola's statue unveiled when the painting drops) and it's decoration is clearly Post-Reformation 'propaganda' - but it is lovely propaganda for all that.
I quite agree!
Fantastic ruminations about the Gesu and the excesses of the Baroque during the Counter-Reformation! This info is the perfect supplement to our ending our Baroque tour at the Gesu! Many happy memories of discussing the the burst of upward and downward activity frantically roiling all in one massive ceiling representation. Entirely too cool and def want to visit again to sit and appreciate the ceiling in my own non-religious pilgrimage to Rome 😎🙌
thanks Joanna!
Excellent photos! I've tried to visit this church at least 4 times, and every time, it's been closed. Honestly, I sort of admire the chillaxed interpretation of "opening hours." I'll get inside one of these days!
I have often thought that the purpose of baroque art is to confuse the eye, and the purpose of baroque music is to confuse the ear. When I visited the Chiesa del Gesu I could hardly bear to look at the ceiling. This is only my personal opinion of course, your description and explanation are fascinating and well thought out as always.
Fabulous! We revisited the Gesu after one of your Zoom talks on the ceiling fresco. The Bernini connection feels like a delicious secret awaiting discovery 😍
Spectacular post! I recall back in 70s art history classes we were encouraged to pooh-pooh this sort of work. I was never clear why. Lately I’m drawn to visit this church again and again- like one of those tired pilgrims. It’s great to read some background on this amazing place. Thanks Agnes!