Mar Elias Evangelisation

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE MIDDLE AGES AND MODERN AGE IS FAITH IN GOD

The entire contrast that exists between the Middle Ages, which sought the first causes, and the modern age, which pursues the secondary causes, is exemplified in art: in the Middle Ages, no sculptor ever engraved his name on a sculpture; and the reason was that he worked for God; and he recognized that he was from God who gave him the ability to sculpt, and the mind of an artist; and when he left his work anonymously, it was to God, the First Cause, that brought the credit. Nowadays, the sculptor engraves his name in the marble, because he works for man, and has forgotten the First Cause, the Cause of all causes, which is God. (... )

Medieval art is the art of a redeeming humanity. It is rooted in the Christian soul, on the shore of living waters, under the sky of theological virtues, and among the sweet marshmallows of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. Because in the Middle Ages it wasn't about making Christian art; it was rather about being Christians. If you were a Christian, your art was Christian. If you believed in eternal dogmas, your art would express eternal truths. The medieval artist used to say, "If you want to carve things of Christ, you must live with Christ." For the medieval man, art required calm and meditation rather than excitement and feverish motorcycles. History tells us that the Blessed Angelico wept while painting the "Crucifixion" that is found today in the Convent of San Marco in Florence.

(Fulton J. Sheen, from "Truth and Lies: A Prophetic Criticism of Modern Thought" Mimep editions)

***

Modernist "art" is empty and soulless because it isn't anchored in God, but rather in man and in his desires.