Hats go off to the Kimbell Museum in Bible Belt Texas, (Fort Worth), which has been world renowned for their rare viewing of ancient exhibitions, and this Christmas is no exception, as they enchant their guests with a view of a lifetime.
For the first time in history, the Kimbell Museum, and their guest-curator Dr. Jeffrey Spier of the University of Arizona, have undergone careful planning, and have reportedly gained the Pope in Rome’s special permission to import these Ancient Christian artifacts. These pieces come from as far away as the Vatican, the Louver in Paris, the Bargello, the Laurentian Library in Florence, the British Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York among other prestigious international institutions. They have put together a once in a lifetime viewing, which they have quaintly entitled, ‘Picturing the Bible’.
What is entailed in the exclusive venue?
Here are some of the highlights of the exhibition.
It’s a collection of Ancient Christian Artwork, depicting how Christians first gave a natural impression of their beliefs. Drinking in the specially lit hallways of the Kimbell, (as they are known for their meticulous use of lights to not only set a tranquil mood, but also protect their collections from harm), you will first absorb the enchanting depiction of the Pagans, and Old Testament Motifs in an expression in the evolution of the Christian faith. As you walk along, you next are taken back to the time of the earliest representations of biblical themes. The emphasis of this display, has been described the Kimbell Museum as an attempt to clarify the mystery of how Christians in the Greco-Roman period illustrated their religious beliefs.
What are some of the elite treasures that have never or rarely been lent before?
The Vatican Museum contributed a golden cross, that contains a piece of the true cross of Christ.
The Museo Diocesano of Milan contributed, the “Capsella” of San Nazaro, discovered in 1598, with two merged images, of Christ’s hair, and the Madonna holding baby Jesus.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art contributed two silver plates, of only 9 in existence. The plate is engraved with an image of the life of David, it was discovered in 1902.
The Museo Nazionale del Bargello in Florence contributed the masterpiece of the entire collection. This carved sculpture made of ivory and some in stone, diptych of ‘Adam Naming the Animals’ and the ‘Miracles of St. Paul’.
Other sculptures were contributed by the Vatican Museums, Trier, Arles, and Algeria. The sculpture depicts scenes of the sarcophagi with scenes of the life and ministry of Christ, and images of Daniel, Jonah, and other biblical images from both the Old and New Testaments.
Prized Illustrated manuscripts are the most adorned literary treasures, they are very rare as only a miniscule amount of three, illustrated Bibles from the sixth century survived through the centuries.
The Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana in Florence contributed The Rabbula Gospels, they actually were inscribed by a monk in 586 a.d, named Rabbula in a Syrian monastery.
The Bibliothèque Nationale de France contributed the fragmentary Greek Sinope Gospels, the entire text is written in gold on purple-dyed vellum.
The British Library contributed the survival pieces of the Cotton Genesis, a Greek manuscript, thought to come from Egypt. In the fire at the Cotton Library, in 1731, tragically the manuscript was badly damaged.
This Holliday Season, if you are in the vicinity of the Bible Belt of Texas, why not take this rare opportunity to experience ‘Picturing the Bible’. What a fabulous way to Celebrate the Birth of Christ.
The Art Exhibition commenced on November 18, 2007, and ends on March 30, 2008.
*Admission prices for the exhibition are $14 for adults, $12 for seniors age 60 and over and students with ID, and $10 for children between 6 and 11. Children under 6 are free, as are Museum Members. An Acoustiguide audio tour is included in the ticket price. Members may purchase an audio tour for $3. Admission prices are half-off on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Fridays from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. (not applicable for Member audio tours).
Here’s a link to the Kimbell Art Museum, in Fort Worth Texas, where you can visually see the art work online, and learn the details that go along with the exhibition.
http://www.kimbellart.org/Exhibitions/Exhibition-Details.aspx?eid=47
Merry Christmas to all,
From the Desk of Sacreeta
