Compare
the ancient "portrait", on the left, frescoed
in the Basilica presbytery, and the scientific reconstruction
of his face, on the right, to see immediately a marked
difference. How can this be explained?
Art,
over the centuries, has imposed very different looks.
We cannot expect historical objectivity from artists. They
make interpretations conditioned by the sensibilities of the
era, from the prevalent hagiographic trend, to the public's
request.
Rather than representing the saint in his earthly form, in his historical context, they tend to portray him in his present status as a resident of heaven, as one who has reached his heavenly destination, as an intercessor immersed in the glory of God. Thus the emphasis lies on youth and immateriality; it is an intent to transfigure.
How
is "frater Antonius" represented?
The
Franciscan biography Vita prima notes that St.
Anthony was burdened with a tendency towards corpulence
and troubled by continual infirmity. The legend called
Raymundina interprets this as "dropsy".
We now know that this term has had different meanings over
the centuries, and so it is difficult to know which of these
definitions was intended.
Following
the latest recognition of his mortal remains (January
1981) the team of experts made detailed analyses which
provide us with precious information.
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St. Clare is the little plant of St. Francis, as she called herself. A blog to my call to become a Poor Clare Colettine. If St. Clare was a "little plant", I am a scraggly weed.
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Thursday, June 6, 2013
June 13th - For the Upcoming Feast of St. Anthony of Padua - His Face
His Face
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