126, Ajaccio, Corsica, Cathedral of our Lady of the Assumption

-

 This baroque cathedral, opened in the 17th century, is named after our Lady of the Assumption (you will perhaps remember that the Assumption is when Mary toddles off to Heaven in advance, because decaying until the Second Coming was considered unworthy of the Mother of God).

Napoleon was baptized in this church. Lovely coloured marble and pretend curtains. Fine high pulpit,

The church contains a masterpiece by 19th century French artist Delacroix, best known perhaps for his work « Liberty guiding the People ». This gives me a chance to talk art for a change. The painting here is « The Triumph of Religion » from 1821. It was actually secretly subcontracted  to the young Delacroix by Géricault, who initially took the credit. It shows the allegorical figure of Religion brandishing a human heart (you had to be there), and, I am reliably informed, is considered by some  a « missing link » between neoclassicism and romanticism.

Corsica was recently visited by the Pope, who chose to go to this pretty religious island rather than go to Paris to a big party organized by President Macron for the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral there.














































Posts les plus consultés de ce blog

50. Montreal, Basilica of Notre Dame. Coolest Gothic revival pulpit

-
Image
  Montreal, Basilica of Notre Dame. Coolest Gothic revival pulpit   The wikipedia article says that the interior of the church is « one of the most dramatic in the world », and dead Gothic. Gets eleven million visitors a year, and last year I was one of them. My favourite ever pulpit. If you’re gonna preach   Good News About Eternal Life, you might as well do it perched on some decent furniture.   The stained glass windows here don’t bother with Bible stories, but depict scenes from the history of Montreal.   The other major highlight is the extra chapel behind the altar  through a corridor, which is has a modern bronze altar piece which is totally stunning. It represents humanity’s journey towards God, passing through childhood, adulthood and old age. In this chapel, the Stations of the Cross are well worth a look.   Information in French Information in English Information in Armenian  
Read more »

86 Paris, Montmartre, The Basilica of the Sacred Heart. The Gospel is sport!

-
Image
 86 Paris, Montmartre, The Basilica of the Sacred Heart This tremendously famous church, which towers over Montmartre in Paris, is more directly political than most. It is often said to have been built as revenge against the Paris Commune, an insurrection during which the workers controlled Paris for a couple of months and showed the wonderful possibilities of workers’ power before being massacred by the authorities. This is not 100% true, in that the plans to build this church were decided before the Paris Commune. Nevertheless, the right wingers of the time certainly presented the church, and the worship of the sacrament in it as penance for the terrible sin of workers’ insurrection. As a result the church is cordially detested by many left wing activists in France (even more than the significant minority of left activists here who cordially detest any religious building). Shortly after the building of the church, it was the site of the National Vow, which again was a very co...
Read more »

118 Lincoln UK, Lincoln Cathedral : where shall I have my entrails buried ?

-
Image
  118 Lincoln UK, Lincoln Cathedral : where shall I have my entrails buried ? It feels like Lincoln cathedral is nowhere near as well-known as is York Minster, and I am told that this is because Lincoln is not on the way to anywhere. In any case the cathedral is spectacular and not to be missed (And thanks to Terry for driving us out there). Apparently John Ruskin reckoned: "that the cathedral of Lincoln is out and out the most precious piece of architecture in the British Isles and roughly speaking worth any two other cathedrals we have." The guided tour was worth every penny.   Naturally, the architecture (all started in the 11th century) is what people are most impressed by (especially magical square towers, ceiling vaults and rose windows), but there are a number of other elements I loved. I have seen one whole bunch of sets of Stations of the Cross, but this is the most original (and rather modernist)   set I have ever seen. Now, the stories ...
Read more »