Thursday, 29 December 2011

The Gift of Tintoretto




                                                   Tintoretto's "Glory of San Rocco" at the
Scuola Grande di San Rocco, Venice

My new finding of the day is www.stumbleupon.com

You register with your interests and it comes up with random websites that you may wish to explore further.

Today I came across this painting by the Italian artist Tintoretto on the website http://www.eurotravelogue.com 

The author of the site, Jeff Titelius, writes this about the painting and artist:-

"But before we dive deeper into the ceiling, I have to share an anecdote I read in Peter Ackroyd’s “Venice: Pure City” about Vasari’s account of how Tintoretto won the commission to decorate the ceiling and walls of the Scuola Grande di San Rocco. According to Ackroyd and Vasari, the artists of the time were asked to present sketches for the central panel of the Sala dell’Albergo ceiling, a smaller chamber off the Grand Hall on the upper level of the school. 

Instead of presenting a sketch as requested, Tintoretto in a brilliant “stroke” of genius that ultimately earned him the commission, merely pointed up to the ceiling to showcase his entry. Affixed to the ceiling was not a sketch but a completed painting for the Guild to scrutinize, and what makes this really special is that he offered it as his gift to the school whether or not he won the commission. His “Glory of San Rocco” still hangs there today."

Giving without the certainty that there will be a reward. 
Gifting regardless of whether there will be a gift in return. 

There's something in that of our journey with God. Of being selfless, of giving, of gifting - not because we expect to be rewarded but because of who we are and who God is. 

The giving and gifting of ourselves in whatever context we find ourselves. 

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