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Sacred Made Real at The National Gallery

October 25, 2009 by Helena Halme 13 Comments

My day in London turned out to be all about bodies. My good friend and I started the day off at the ‘Sacred Made Real’ exhibition at the National Gallery. The impressive Spanish 16th and 17th century sculptures and paintings strived to bring the human embodiment of religious characters to life in brilliantly executed works, assembled for this unique exhibition. There was gore, humanity and ridiculousness in these works of art. The inventiveness of the artists was incredible. The tears of the Virgin Mary were made of glass, the congealed blooded wounds of dead body of Christ from tree bark and red paint. His eye lashes were horse hairs. All the sculptures were made of wood, but looked as if they were marble. I could understand perfectly well, how 400 years ago, a churchgoer might have imagined the sculptures of saints real. As a not very conscientious or pious Lutheran, I could but admire and be baffled by the limits to which the artists went to project the approved Christian faith of the time.

The spiritual start to the evening must have been the reason I had no hangover this morning. A highly unusual state of affairs after a night out with my friend. Perhaps we are at last growing up?

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Comments

  1. Wildernesschic says

    October 25, 2009 at 7:18 pm

    Oh go and see Duran Duran and come back to us Helena !!!!

    Reply
  2. So Lovely says

    October 25, 2009 at 7:18 pm

    Whats even nicer is that DW is an incredibly down-to-earth person. So you can swoon a little more. xxCC

    Reply
  3. Looking Fab in your forties says

    October 25, 2009 at 7:41 pm

    I was obsessed by the Wire, I didn't know you were too! I found DW amazing in it, you would never have thought he was English would you and very well educated, I think he went to Oxford. x

    Reply
  4. Helena Halme says

    October 25, 2009 at 7:45 pm

    Oh no! I don't want to know any more – Oxford, down-to-earth and nice….feeling a little faint now. xx

    Reply
  5. Anonymous says

    October 26, 2009 at 5:19 pm

    As an objective male observer you girls need to calm down. He went to Eton and not Oxford but Trinity College Dublin.
    George Clooney everytime he has that sophistication an slightly older man brings.

    Reply
  6. Anonymous says

    October 26, 2009 at 5:19 pm

    Just remember that torn shirt….

    Reply
  7. Wildernesschic says

    October 26, 2009 at 5:19 pm

    Ps
    I think I am missing out here have never seen "The Wire" . Not one to miss out in a handsome man ..When is it on ?? x

    Reply
  8. Helena Halme says

    October 26, 2009 at 7:47 pm

    WC, Don't know if The Wire is still on, but I recommend buying the DVD set. It's a cop series with a difference, best TV I've ever watched. Mr West is a bonus.

    Anonymous 1: Unfortunately I cannot forget the torn shirt.

    Anonymous 2: It is possible to be in love with several good looking (unachievable) men at the same time. (We women can multi-task.) Besides, I'm sure George will understand and forgive my momentary lapse.

    Reply
  9. hellokitty says

    October 26, 2009 at 8:06 pm

    In every review of "Life is a Dream" DW's physique is mentioned. What is going on in this play? Nudity? I'm in the states and so probably won't go to see it, although is there is nudity, I may swim the Atlantic. I know he is hot, but what is it about this play exactly that sets everyone off?

    Reply
  10. Helena Halme says

    October 26, 2009 at 8:13 pm

    hellokitty, Where to begin? Firstly Mr West is very fit. He plays a passionate, at first beast-like prince wrongly imprisoned. Hence he wears rags, hardly covering his torso, and briefly a handsome 17th century Spanish uniform. There's a lot of chain tugging, flexing of muscles (not that I'm into that sort of thing per se…) and Spanish passion. Need I say more?

    I'd start swimming now. xx

    Reply
  11. Anonymous says

    October 27, 2009 at 12:57 pm

    Oh dear…I am a woman, but I have to agree with the objective male observer. Let's not give the impression that us women are just as silly as men when it comes to a handsome specimen of the other sex.

    I hope we are all most impressed by DW's acting skills, not his rippling muscles, a torn T-shirt or his time at Eton.

    Reply
  12. JennyMac says

    October 27, 2009 at 5:07 pm

    swoon..one of my fave words. Love the post!

    Reply
  13. Anonymous says

    October 27, 2009 at 11:20 pm

    Dominic West was awarded Crime Writers' Dagger for Best Actor for The Wire!

    Reply

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