The Metropolitan Museum is jam-packed today, which is to be expected. I limited myself to a brief assault just to see a couple pieces. I did, however, want to share a Christological goldfinch in this painting by Sano di Pietro (+1480). The Sienese like the finches. They also often show little Jesus with some Mom’s veil in his hand.
A closer look.
I am pretty sure that grasping her veil or cloak is a reference to His having taking our humanity from her.
I also liked this delightful (not quite) still life by Georg Flegel (+1630):
An early version of: Today I am as happy as a bird with a French fry!
It’s time to get out into the wind and the sun, to find some dappled paths and soughing in the leaves.
UPDATE:
A beautiful day in the park.
UPDATE
After supper, I got a lift home from friends. Heading across town on 46th we saw a HUGE nearly full dark yellow moon rising between the buildings across the width if the island.
The photo doesn’t do it justice.
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LOL! Fr Z, you never disappoint! I am surprised baby Jesus’ goldfinch prefiguring His passion does not have a name by now–like all male cardinals at the feeder are “Ray.”
[I am now in a quandry. There are now two mating pairs of Cardinals at the feeder of the Steam Pipe Trunk Distribution Venue. What to do?]
What brings you to NYC, Father? I sad to have miss your saying Mass at I believe Holy Innocents (where I attended the TLM today), last time around …
Planetary Trinity Tonight: look up after sunset to the West/Northwest
oh that’s so sweet! his holding her cloak that way, it’s wonderful. i love the almost still life too.
I don’t know why “Ray” is named Ray, but if it is after Cardinal Burke by any chance [You have guessed it.] then whichever is the goofier seeming one could be “Tim” after the Archbishop in the place you are right now. [Interesting idea.]
I tried to think about what to call the goldfinch and then it made me think of a priest falsely accused of something. He is manhandled by baby Jesus. [Hmmmm….]
Father Z – I had no idea you were in NYC. I posted this on another post, but you should definitely check out the Morgan Library’s exhibition on the Eucharist in the Middle Ages – their collection of illuminated manuscripts is astonishing, and the notes to guide you through the show are very educational. Enjoy! They are open tomorrow (Memorial Day), even though it is a Monday.
Cool picture of the moon.