Genius of Rome

Genius of Rome Brown, Beverly. The Genius of Rome. Belgium: Snoeck, 2001. Print. In this source, Brown (2001) examines social attitudes about the Catholic Church when it comes to art. This created conflict with many artists during the Middle Ages and Renaissance period. They wanted to depict what happened in the Bible. (Brown) However, the problem was that theological doctrine restricted certain images from being shown to the public. This clashed with events which occurred in biblical times. As they often focused on violence and sex.

(Brown) In many works throughout these periods, the church allowed some of these techniques to be used to tell a larger story. This is designed to educate and let the individual to have an actual picture they can place with important events. The biggest challenges were its doctrine surrounding the use of violence, blood and sex. (Brown) The conclusion they reached, is that officials were willing to look the other way when it came to what techniques are utilized by artists.

This takes place with them encouraging realistic depictions of biblical events. However, during this process, officials allowed many questionable tactics to be used. This helped to tell the larger story of what happened with Christianity. (Brown) In these situations, they felt that it was more important to educate and inform the public about what was happening. Yet, in order to achieve these objectives, meant that the church had to compromise its values. This is when various works were created that is of a theological nature.

The main issues are from telling the larger story to incorporate sex and violence as part of their thinking. This is different in comparison to other works, as the artist is encouraged to embrace a more conservative philosophy. (Brown) For instance, one work which is the classic example of this is the painting Judith Beheading Holoferness. It is following the story of Judith 13 in the Bible. This is when a housewife used her sexual prowess to seduce an Assyrian general.

At which point, she beheads him and effectively cuts the Assyrian army off from its command and control. In the confusion, they are forced to abandon their attack on Israel. As a result, Michaelangelo Merrasi de Caraviggio (the artist) is taking a realistic perspective when it comes to showing this event. (Brown) Violence and the sex are used to create a shift in thinking. This is taking place by showing Judith as a seductive temptress who lost her husband.

At the same time, she is Jewish woman who wants to protect her home at any cost. To achieve these objectives, she is willing to do whatever is necessary. In this situation, Judith will use sex to lure in General Holoferness. Then, once she has him in a compromising position, is when she will behead him. (Brown) This example is showing how the Catholic Church was willing to look the other way when it came to art. This is because they wanted to tell a larger story.

In order to do this, they.