Chapter7.Abbazia: Finding Transcendent Spirit

Chapter 7. Abbazia: Finding Transcendent Spirit

Abbazia

Copyright © 2005 by Dan Giordan

The abbey (abbazia) at Monte Olivetto di Maggiore provided the key source file as well as the inspiration for this contemplative image. My drive to the abbey took several hours and was prompted by my desire to see the early fresco cycle of Sienese painter Il Sodoma (Giovanni Antonio Bazzi). After parking, walking to the abbey, waiting in an admission line, and making my way through the winding hallways, I was finally face to face with these murals. My gate slowed to "museum pace," hands behind my back; I began to take it all in.

It was at this point that the guard approached and informed me that the abbey would be closing in 15 minutes and would not reopen for three hours. As I looked around for something to hold my attention, I realized that the real attraction was the wooded walking paths that surrounded the abbey, illuminated by crisp, direct lighting that was nothing short of transcendent. Even at midday, the light sparkled through the trees, pooled on the paths, and brought out a wealth of detail and texture. There were signs on the walking paths that encouraged visitors to respect that this was a place of prayer and worship, and to meditate on the beauty and completeness of creation, as well as the creator.

This image reflects the transcendent spirit of that special place, emphasizing that the true spirit of Tuscany does not lie in cliché images of tiled roofs, cathedrals, and ancient frescoes. These human constructs are byproducts created by those fortunate to live in this amazing placea place defined by geography, climate, and timeless serenity. I had been racing for hours to get in front of some old pigmented panels created by some guy that was 500 years dead. I was fortunate that circumstances forced me to slow down and take in a timeless subject as stunning now as it was 500 years ago.