The art bug caught me unawares, while we were on an Europe trip. While everyone on the trip went hankering for a shopping spree, we stole a quiet trip to the nearby art museums and historical places. While all on the entourage were busy in buying cosmetics, we literally ran over to Louvre Museum in Paris.It was amazing to see many artifacts at one place. There were breath taking sculptures and paintings from all over the world. My biggest disappointment is the famed Monalisa by Leonardo da vinci. But that low was offset by this amazing painting of Louis Anne Girodet titled " the entombment of Atala". We just couldnt move from that painting...such was the effect. I can safely vouch that almost ninty percent of the beauty will be gone in a photo, when compared to the original.
The painting is actually inspired by the french novel " Atala or the love of the two savages " of Chateaubriand, published in 1801. Atala is the name of the girl in the picture. The caped figure is Father Aubry and the young man who is holding the feet of Atala is Chactas, the Indian. Atala takes a vow to be a virgin and follow Christianity but later falls in love with Chactas the Indian. Torn between her loyalty towards the religion and the love she had for Chactas, she takes the extreme step of suicide. The picture shows the final scene where Atala is entombed. We can see an encryption on the walls of the cave in the back drop which when translated mean "When it is yet in flower, and is not plucked with the hand, it withereth before all herbs."
Now what strikes us immediately is the grief of Chactas, as he clings to the legs of Atala, unable to let go of her mortal remains. His love and passion are depicted so deeply, that we will be moved to tears. Indeed I was.
The lighting effect is absolutely out of the world...with it touching only the body of atala...signifying such purity and innocence that words cant explain. That is the turning moment when i realized that art does make me melt, just like music. And when i was looking at the painting...this song kept playing in my head...
Sou Baar janam lenge...Sou baar fana honge..
Aye jaanewafa phir bhi....Hum tum na juda honge...
Any ideas what would be Chactas thinking in those moments, in that cave, when he tried to let go of his one and only Love ??
Here is the link for a big sized picture...
http://cgfa.sunsite.dk/g/girodet5.jpg
2 comments:
Thank you for this wonderful glimpse into the world of art..; the story of atala brings tears to one's eyes, and the painting is marvellous, it moves one so...Once again,Thanks venkat
My pleasure Kiran...Never thought that i had it in me. :-) Glad that you liked it.
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