Relief – Haiku 2022 #ThursdayDoors

Posted bySuzette BenjaminPosted inPoetry
Central Entrance Doors, The Cathedral of Orvieto, Umbria Italy – Image credit: © Mailos / Dreamstime

offering relief

seven mercies one kindness

shelter from a storm

****

Amid controversy, the original and modest 600-year wooden doors (see below) of the Cathedral of Orvieto were replaced with the 25 feet high (7.62m) elaborately carved bronze doors featured above, in 1970.

Construction of the Cathedral of Orvieto, Umbria Italy began in 1290 A.D. and lasted for three centuries. The building is a mix of architectural styles including Romanesque and Italian Gothic.

Trivia: Although these bronze doors by the famous sculptor Emilio Greco were completed in 1964 they languished uninstalled inside the Cathedral for years.

Dissension over Greco’s “non-traditional” interpretation of the seven acts of mercy depicted in the central doors’ bronze reliefs, erupted into six years of public and scholarly debate.

The original “formal” reason for building the Cathedral of Orvieto was to house a single relic, the Corporal of Bolsena.

Below are closeup details of the bronze carvings depicting two of “the seven mercies” on the central door, of the Cathedral of Orvieto:

Bronze door bottom right panel relief, “Visiting the sick” – Image Credit:  © Annavee/ Dreamstime
Bronze door relief second panel from the bottom on the left – “Clothing the naked” – Image credit: Jim Gourley / Flickr

Photograph of one of the original wooden doors, the Cathedral of Orvieto (circa 1850) below:

Cathedral of Orvieto – Original Wooden door, right side of the facade. Image credit:
Fratelli Alinari / Getty Foundation, Public Domain Images

Wider angle of the Cathedral of Orvieto’s modern-day facade below:

Image credit: followingtherivera.com

Written for #ThursdayDoors – Dan Antion – @ No Facilities

Published by Suzette Benjamin

Positive thinker, inspirational, writer, faith

48 thoughts on “Relief – Haiku 2022 #ThursdayDoors”

  2. Stunning arches, simply exquisite bronze carvings
    I’m endeared to the progression from wood to bronze embracing a new age.

    Beautifully defined by the anatomy of your words

    🌺seven mercies one kindness🌺

    gentleness patience humility tenderhearted, all these acts of mercy crowned with kindness.

    Wonderful meditation, blessed new month to you.

    🙂Although these bronze doors by the famous sculptor Emilio Greco were completed in 1964 they languished uninstalled inside the Cathedral for years.🙂

    Now you know how deeply entrenched stubbornness is, linked to ideological, relgious and political dogma. This is why we struggle to get things done. Monuments must fall or remain in ruins for years before work starts all over again.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Excellent point! It is a fitting progression from wood to bronze…a sign of their respective times on the inevitable pilgrimage to modernity.
      Blessings to you this new month. Joy and fresh starts to all things.
      Yes, you are absolutely right. The leg irons of entrenchment finds no release when change offers them the keys to freedom.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. The doors and your haiku are beautiful. I am never surprised at the ways in which artistic interpretation around religious topics leads to controversy. The cathedral and it’s doors (original and modern) are remarkable. Thanks for sharing this post with Thursday Doors.

    Liked by 1 person

  13. I agree with Sadje, those doors are stunningly beautiful. Wow! This write reminds me that inside of pain already lives the seeds of mercy, they are already there awaiting our arrival. A gorgeous poem, Suzette. Happy Friday, my friend!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. A marvelous testimony Jeff and well stated: “inside pain already exists the seeds of mercy” and deliverance. Amen!!
      Thank you my friend for your inspiring reflection. Much appreciated.
      Happy Friday blessings to you as well.

      Liked by 1 person

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