Miraculous Mary

On February 9, 2001 · 0 Comments

Miraculous Mary

Art as a Second Language

“Art As A Second Language” By Dr. Mary C. Saleeby Ph.D.

Regardless of the language that you speak the end result is communication. What most people do not realize is that in addition to verbal communication there is pictorial communication. Using “Art as a Second Language” expands your world by introducing you to paintings and objects that you might have overlooked before. When you view a painting you react to the aesthetics of the piece probably ignoring the fact that the painting is trying to tell you something whether a political expression as in Jan Vermeer’s “The Artist Studio” or William Hogarth’s “Marriage a la Mode” which is telling you a story about 18th century marital dysfunction. All are pictorial representations that warrant serious consideration. Nevertheless, Art can speak to you in so many ways and cause a variety of emotions inside you.

If you think about expression and how far back it goes you will be amazed. It began in Pre-historic times when cavemen drew deer; bison and horses on cave walls. Whether it was for decorative purposes or a ritual to ensure a good hunt we will probably never know, however what we do know is that these primitive people desperately wanted to commutate. As time passed pictorials became more elaborate such as the hieroglyphs in the Egyptian tombs of the Great Pharaohs and after on the glorious architectural relief’s of Medieval Cathedrals.

The excitement of the Renaissance movement brought forth an elaborate and exclusive pictorial language of iconography and biblical and historic stories were transformed into dazzling masterpieces. One of the greatest paintings filled with the second language of symbols would be Peter Paul Rubens “Samson and Delilah” painted in 1609-1610.

The painting depicts an episode from the Old Testament when Samson the superhuman Israelite falls desperately in love with Delilah a Philistine beauty. Samson was born to a woman unable to conceive a child, when one day she was sent a message from the Heavens telling her she would conceive a son under the condition that he would never cut his hair because it would provide him strength to save his people from the Philistine’s. The woman agreed and her son was born. When he was grown Samson feel in love with Delilah who was bribed by the Philistine’s to seduce him into finding out the secret of his strength. Delilah did so and when Samson was asleep a Philistine hireling cut off a lock of his hair. After depleting him of his strength the Philistine soldiers rushed in and gouged out his eyes before imprisoning him. Samson was put to hard labor but one astonishing day when his hair began to grow back he regained his miraculous strength. He went into the prison temple and pushed down the pillars killing him and all the Philistine soldiers. Samson finally accomplished what he was put on earth to do.

Ruben’s transformed this wonderful story into the second language of art. It’s hidden symbols of love and desire and the coming of death leave the viewer speechless. If not for art one of the greatest languages would be lost.

About the Author

Dr. Mary Saleeby holds a BFA, MFA and Ph.D. in Art History with a Certification in Egyptology. She is an Art History Professor in New York City and gives Private lectures in various museums. For information on her book "Taking The Mystery Out Of Reading Old Master Paintings" visit her at her website: http://www.marysaleebyphd.com