Fra Angelico, Coronation of the Virgin, photograph by The Yorck Project, 2002, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fra_Angelico_081.jpg.
Hello all! This is one of our first discussions on art, something which I am so thrilled about and I hope you are as well! Considering the fact that this is one of many segways into the importance of sacred art, I think it would be a good idea to first focus on the relationship between art and morality, morality being the fundamental impetus behind every action we, as Catholics, do. So, the question becomes are the two ideas connected in any way? And if so, can art influence the values or morals of the viewer?
The simple answer to this question is, yes! Art most definitely and poignantly impacts morality. A brief and practical example relative to all of us would be to look at the artwork of the past several decades, particularly the ‘art’ of the pop culture today. Numerous plays, movies, books, images and musical pieces are making their grand debut on the stage, all in the name of art. Yet, how often is the case that this artwork embodies nothing short of sexuality as well as all those values contrary to Christ and His Law of Love. For instance, this is evident when one listens to nearly any song playing on the radio.
To use an example from my own life, I lived on a steady diet of pop music and movies when I was a teenager. I was so close to these superficial and dangerous forms of pseudo-art, as I like to call them, that my perspective of who I was, how I should be acting and what life is really about was totally derailed. Moreover, although this spirit of the world which had greatly influenced me was quickly identified by others around me, I couldn’t see these changes that I was opening myself up to.
I know so many of you no doubt have a similar story. So many individuals, even non-Catholics, are becoming increasingly aware that the art fed to us by society is influencing our ideals, our spirit, and, in short, our morals, in dangerous ways. What is worse is that society is drunk upon these false forms of art, which has seemed to result in nations being stripped of their consciences, uprightness, and, in short, morality.
As I have said before, and which is commonly acknowledged by Catholics, real art embodies the truth. At times, we know that reality can be harsh and ugly, such as the reality of sin. Yet, even with these different aspects of reality in question, art must portray these topics in a way that holds fast to a moral outlook. If the artwork is skewed than so is the vision of the one beholding it. Both art and morality are inexplicably linked for, “Whatever artistic beauty one may wish to grasp in the world, in nature and in man, in order to express it in sound, in color, or in plays for the masses, such beauty cannot prescind from God.” 1 After all, God is beauty itself and hence, in some way, art attempts to imitate and express the beautiful.
If art can affect the morality of the viewer in a negative way, then so too can art spur us on to have stronger convictions, higher ideals, and a more virtuous undertaking of our duty of state. Maybe this seems like a strong postulation: yet, Pope Pius the XII confirms the power of art when he states, “The function of all art lies in fact in breaking through the narrow and tortuous enclosure of the finite, in which man is immerged while living here below, and in providing a window to the infinite for his hungry soul.” 2 Thus, art, if used correctly is a powerful tool in allowing us to deepen our faith in God.
Since art can be said to impact morality, which as we have seen above, it most certainly does, then, the artist of today does indeed carry a huge responsibility regarding his artistic endeavors. Hence, those who occupy this profession should take care that “(they) put not a stumbling block or a scandal in your brother’s way,” (Rom 14:13, DRV). 3 For, as Christ states, “he that shall scandalize one of these little ones that believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone should be hanged about his neck, and that he should be drowned,” (Mt 18:6).
Thus, in order to assume the role of one whose works will be beheld and revered by the public eye, an individual must indeed remember the implications of this career as well as what he owes to society through his artistic endeavors: namely, goodness, beauty, and truth.
Pope Pius XII, “Encyclical on The Function of Art,” (1952), section 6.
Pope Pius XII, “Encyclical on The Function of Art,” section 5.
The Holy Bible: Douay Rheims, (Idaho: Lepanto Press).
How would you distinguish between art and culture? I dont disagree with your thesis, and share a similar experience vis a vis consuming unhealthy media. But do we make art with the intent of having a moral impact, or does the cultural context of a piece of art affect how that art is perceived? Can art be considered independent of culture? Is art upstream or downstream of culture?
Curious what you think! Thanks for this thought provoking article.