The way of Beauty
For this creation, Tommaso Lucarelli took inspiration from the existing tabernacle of Santa Trinità dei Monti in Piazza di Spagna, drawing a connection to the Gospels, to the history of Rome and Christian art. A redeemed angel on the border between Paradise and Hell is the subject of this work, extrapolated from Michelangelo's 'The Last Judgement' in the Sistine Chapel. The tabernacle, a Romanesque architectural sculpture, symbolizes the House of God, which embraces and protects the afflicted angel. 'Tardi ti amai', taken from St. Augustine's Confessions, fully represents his torment: a contrast is thereby created between the outreach to God and the conversion of the human soul, as seen in Michelangelo's design. The work is filled with symbols that recall the illustrious artist: the three circles for example, representing his origins and 'Rima 31', a hymn to Love that creates a connection with 'D'Amor.
Belatedly I loved thee
Belatedly I loved thee, O Beauty so ancient and so new, belatedly I loved thee. For see, thou wast within and I was without, and I sought thee out there. Unlovely, I rushI tre cerchied heedlessly among the lovely things thou hast made. Thou wast with me, but I was not with thee. These things kept me far from thee; even though they were not at all unless they were in thee. Thou didst call and cry aloud, and didst force open my deafness. Thou didst gleam and shine, and didst chase away my blindness. Thou didst breathe fragrant odors and I drew in my breath; and now I pant for thee. I tasted, and now I hunger and thirst. Thou didst touch me, and I burned for thy peace.
The three circles
Michelangelo in life by his mark (…) always used the three intertwined circles together (…) that was why Michelagelo meant, that the three professions of sculpture, painting, and architecture are intertwined, and tied together so that one gives and receives from the other commode, and ornament; and that it cannot be done, they must summarize (…) or have a more subtle understanding in them
Michelangelo, Rima 31
"Amor non già, ma gli occhi mei son quegli che ne' tuo soli e begli e vita e morte intera trovato hanno. Tante meno m'offende e preme 'l danno, più mi distrugge e cuoce; dall'altra ancor mi nuoce tante amor più quante più grazia truovo. Mentre ch'io penso e pruovo il male, el ben mi cresce in un momento. O nuovo e stran tormento! Però non mi sgomento: s'aver miseria e stento è dolce qua dove non è ma' bene, vo cercando 'l dolor con maggior pene"