Not in the gospels,
Leonardo's bright idea:
John the Baptist,
playmate for
the infant Christ.
Raphael endorses it;
gives the two of them
a plaything cross
as augury.
Mary's finger holds
the place of older
prophecy - Isaiah's;
yet to be fulfilled.
The composition's style
again, is Leonardo's.
Not the light.
Gone, da Vinci's mystery,
this light is bright
and even. Democratic,
even. Mellow as befits
a rural idyll,
rolling hills
and everything
untroubled.
The image is from Wikipedia.
Great Dave! These paintings from the old masters are just fantastic! We just can't help but marvel at the fineness and composition of the images depicted. Your verse is excellent!
ReplyDeleteHank
A beautiful poem that pays tribute to some of the world's finest art!
ReplyDeleteGreat words for when art wasn't ... err ... transient.
ReplyDeleteThe story told so many ways, your poem a worthy addition to the depicted scene:)
ReplyDeleteI like this very much. It's wonderful--so vivid and exact, and almost tells a story. The end, of course, is beautiful. I have a poem posted somewhere back about a paintingn of St. Agatha in Padua. Not so good--well, she's pretty different. Maybe I'll find link.
ReplyDeleteThis is lovely though. K.
very nice dave...like how you point to the differences in the old prophecy and how the artist and even we sometimes envision it...
ReplyDeleteBeautiful poem. I hoped over via the Deja Vu link, and I'm a new follower.
ReplyDeleteHello! I'm a new follower from the DejaVu Blogfest. Nice to meet you!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAh yes, those were the days when everything seemed so 'untroubled' as depicted in the Old Masters. So much beauty to be found in the painting you featured AND in your words.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! Came by for the Deja Vu blogfest but this was a great post, anyway!
ReplyDeleteWonderful poem Dave, and the picture is gorgeous.
ReplyDeletebeautiful poem for some beautiful artwork!
ReplyDeleteI wish I could write poetry like you. Beautiful poem! Thanks for sharing! Glad I met you through DL's Deja Vu blogfest!
ReplyDeleteJohn the Baptist seems entranced by baby Christ, but Mary seems to be elsewhere (maybe planning her grocery list?). I like the notion of John the Baptist being childhood friends. “Mary's finger holds
ReplyDeletethe place of older prophecy - Isaiah's; yet to be fulfilled.” (Definitely heavier thoughts on her mind besides a grocery list.) I enjoyed the visualization and interpretation…it’s a piece of art you could discuss for hours.
Beautiful post! I'm participating in the blogfest. Lots of fun!
ReplyDeleteNext to Madonna with the Pinks this is my favourite Raphael Dave. I think you have done it justice with your poem.
ReplyDeleteYour poem adds a vital final dimension to this great work of art.
ReplyDeleteI shall never think of one without the other in future.
A true classic, Dave :)
Very enjoyable indeed because you just can't beat the old masters :-).
ReplyDeleteinteresting post... happy holidays sir!
ReplyDeleteJJRod'z
The words match the painting very well. Both works of art. :)
ReplyDeleteWonderful picture and your words are just awesome.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
Your words of homage for Vinci's mistery and Raphael's association are calmly infused into our minds.
ReplyDeletekaykuala
ReplyDeleteI agree totally re the old masters. Thanks for the compliment.
MISH
Hi, godd to have your kind comment. Much thanks.
anthonynorth
Nicely said. Amen.
Louise
Thanks, yes, you are right: there are endless ways of telling.
manicddaily
Thanks so much for amost helpful comment. Would be great if you could find the link.
Brian
Thank you for this. Yes, there are so many ways to go.
Ciara
Hi Ciara, great to have you visiting and leaving a comment. Thanks for following.
Margot
A warm welcome to you. Really good to have you aboard. Thanks for leaving a comment.
Mary
You are right enough about they old masters, but a big thank you for including me!
Lydia
Hi, it really is great to have your company. Thank you for the visit and for taking the trouble to leave a comment.
Rachna
Thank you so much for responding. it is much appreciated.
Creepy Query Girl
Hi, and a very warm welcome to you. Thank you for your kind comment.
April
Really good to have you with us. Thank you so much for your kind comment.
Lost_without_a_map
Welcome to you. I agree with you about the expressions of the two women and the weightier matters probably occupying Mary's mind. Very many thaks for visiting and for sharing your thoughts. Much appreciated.
LynNerdKelley
Hi and a warm welcome to my blog. Thank you for coming and for sharing your thoughts.
The Weaver of Grass
Thanks for the compliment. Doing justice to Raphael can't be bad!! I agree with you re the two Raphaels.
Ygraine
Wow, that's praise indeed! Thank you so much for it. (Can't think what else to say!)
Windsmoke
Thanks - and I agree, you certainly can't.
JJ Roa
Thanks - and every Blessing to you and yours.
Nisa
Hi. Really good to have your company. Thank you so much for it - and for your kind words.
welcome to my world of poetry
Welcome to my blog and very many thanks for expressing such kind thoughts.
haricot
Lovely thought. Much thanks.
I really think your closing lines are ...remarkable. The description of the light as 'democratic' is so very interesting. And 'everything untroubled' in spite of that augury. They are not prophet and messiah here, they are little boys, and everything is untroubled.
ReplyDelete'Gone, da Vinci's mystery,
this light is bright
and even. Democratic,
even....
and everything
untroubled.'
Many thanks for this critique. I really loved reading it. Much obliged and so glad you liked it.
ReplyDeleteHey Dave! Was this your Deja vu Blogfest entry? Nice.
ReplyDelete