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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