Bellini's Saint ~ restored at the Frick Museum The artist's brush left only light here, as if removing paint coating the lanky saint from the creator's mind within a rocky landscape, like Jesus off in the desert, alone looking to God gently heavenward, with open palms raised. Behind is a fortified town, a donkey idly grazing, and perhaps tended orchards. But what is here -- placed by the painter to tell something? A red bird, particular plants, an elegant heron, and a rabbit he had ransomed, bribing the meat vendor to carry here to release. We catch a glimpse of specks of red dotting the hands and a spot on the saint's foot. But there is nothing that others depicted of Christ's wounds and the terrifying angel disturbing turbulent air. Perhaps that is unseen: blood on a pierced side, thorns hid in the mouth, the struggle with God's pain. But here for us is only light.
Royal Rhodes taught the history of Christianity for almost forty years. His poems have appeared in a number of literary journals, including: Ekstasis Poetry, Amethyst Magazine, Foreshadow Magazine, The Cafe Review, New Verse News, and STAR 82 Review, among others. Art and poetry collaborations have been published by The Catbird [on the Yadkin] Press in North Carolina.
Amethyst Review 