Annunciation
Caravaggio
It is fitting, perhaps, that all that remains of Caravaggio’s hand in this painting is the Angel Gabriel. Subject to centuries of restoration, the painting has become almost a Frankenstein’s monster of retouching, preservation and repair. Yet Gabriel, floating above the Virgin Mary in a billow of clouds, has needed little of this work. Instead, the hand of the master is evident and all the more potent for it; Gabriel seems to emerge from the paintings plane in luminosity, escaping the confines of the canvas and floating between our world and the one Caravaggio depicts. Known for using everyday people as life models for religious figures and bringing his contemporary experience into his religious paintings, Caravaggio does not deify the Virgin Mary. Instead he presents her as an almost tragic figure, prepared for the burden required but crushed by the expectation. Caravaggio brought images of the Bible down to his modern world and with his brushstrokes elevated them to something divine.
Sunday 15th November
Today, the moon rises in Sagittarius before quickly transitioning into the earth sign of Capricorn. In the garden, this makes it an opportune time to harvest root vegetables, such as Jerusalem artichokes, parsnips, and garlic. Vegetables harvested while the moon is in Capricorn and descending in its sidereal rhythm will remain fresher for longer. While the moon resides in this earthly constellation, we could consider attending to our compost piles, which can become neglected at this time of year. We could turn the piles to stimulate the breakdown process, as well as build new compost piles with the generous amount of material that has accumulated through the autumn.
54 Marrying - The I Ching
Ways of Speaking
How well acquainted are you with your own voice?
Film
Film
Film
Larry Levan Playlist
Hannah Peel Playlist
Iggy Pop Playlist
