Feast of Sant’Ignazio di Loyola

Sant'Ignazio di Loyola, ora pro nobis

July 31 is the Feast of Sant’Ignazio di Loyola, priest, knight, mystic, founder of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), and great protagonist of the Catholic Counter-Reformation. One of the 52 co-patrons of Naples, he is also the patron saint of soldiers and spiritual retreats. 

In celebration we’re posting a prayer to St. Ignatius Loyola. Pictured is Sant’Ignazio di Loyola in Gloria by Mattia Preti. Evviva Sant’Ignazio di Loyola!

Prayer to St. Ignatius Loyola

O Glorious Patriarch, St. Ignatius, we humbly beseech you to obtain for us from God above all things, freedom from sin, the greatest of evils. May your example inflame our hearts with an efficacious glory to God and the good of our neighbor; and obtain from the loving Heart of Jesus, our Lord, the crown of all other graces, the gift of final perseverance, and eternal beatitude. Amen.

Portiuncula Indulgence for the Feast of Our Lady of the Angels (August 2nd)

Our Lady of Angels, ora pro nobis

From noon of August 1st until midnight of August 2nd the faithful can gain a plenary indulgence applicable to themselves or the Souls in Purgatory under the usual conditions:

1. Be in the state of grace.
2. Confession (8 days before or after).
3. Holy Communion.
4. Prayers for the intention of the Pope (Our Father, Hail Mary & Glory be.)
5. And by visiting a cathedral, any parish church or a Franciscan church and there praying one Our Father and the Creed.

The Portiuncula is a small church located in a little town situated about three quarters of a mile from Assisi and is officially known as Santa Maria degli Angeli.

Source: The Shrine Church of the Holy Innocents (128 W 37th St., NYC) July 26, 2020 bulletin

The accompanying photo of Our Lady of the Angels was taken at the Shrine Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Williamsburg, Brooklyn before the 2017 renovation.

Prayer for Southport, England

St. Edward the Confessor, ora pro nobis

Our thoughts and prayers are with the three young girls stabbed to death and eight wounded, six critically (including two adults) at a dance school in Southport, England, Monday morning. According to reports a 17-year-old was arrested at the scene, but supposedly no motive for the horrific crime is yet known. Fed up with the two-tier policing, government betrayal, and violence in their community, local protesters clashed with police near the site of the stabbings. May St. George, St. Edward the Confessor, and St. Edmund the Martyr protect and watch over you.

Prayer for Victims of Terrorism

Loving God, welcome into your arms the victims of violence and terrorism. Comfort their families and all who grieve for them. Help us in our fear and uncertainty, and bless us with the knowledge that we are secure in your love. Strengthen all those who work for peace, and may the peace the world cannot give reign in our hearts. Amen.

Novena to San Ciriaco di Roma

San Ciriaco di Roma, ora pro nobis

Pray novena to San Ciriaco di Roma for nine consecutive days, July 30th – August 7th, in preparation for the Feast celebrated on August 8th.

O glorious St. Cyriacus, mighty exorcist and intercessor, powerful in the struggle against rebel spirits, servant of God, deliver us from all evil and danger, who turn to you with confidence and enable us by your gracious protection to serve God more and more faithfully every day.

Pray for us, O glorious St. Cyriacus, Martyr of the Church of Jesus Christ, that we may be made worthy of His promises.

Almighty and Everlasting God, Who, by a prodigy of goodness and a merciful desire for the salvation of all men, has glorified the most glorious Martyr and deacon St. Cyriacus, make us worthy, we ask You, to be delivered from all our enemies, that none of them may harass us at the hour of death, but that we may be conducted by him and your angels into Your Presence. This we ask through the merits of Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.

* The accompanying photo, courtesy of Anthony Scillia, was taken at St. Leonard of Port Maurice Parish in Boston, Massachusetts. Evviva San Ciriaco di Roma!

Novena to the Fourteen Holy Helpers

Fourteen Holy Helpers, orate pro nobis

For private devotion, I'm posting the Litany of the Fourteen Holy Helpers to be recited for nine consecutive days, July 30th – August 7th, in preparation for the Feast celebrated on August 8th.*

Preparatory Prayer by St. Alphonsus Liguori

Great princes of heaven, Holy Helpers, who sacrificed to God all your earthly possessions, wealth, preferment, and even life, and who now are crowned in heaven in the secure enjoyment of eternal bliss and glory; have compassion on me, a poor sinner in this vale of tears, and obtain for me from God, for whom you gave up all things and who loves you as His servants, the strength to bear patiently all the trials of this life, to overcome all temptations, and to persevere in God's service to the end, that one day I too may be received into your company, to praise and glorify Him, the supreme Lord, whose beatific vision you enjoy, and whom you praise and glorify for ever. Amen.

Litany of the Fourteen Holy Helpers

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, queen of martyrs, pray for us.
St. Joseph, helper in all needs, pray for us.
Fourteen Holy Helpers, pray for us.
St. George, valiant martyr of Christ, pray for us.
St. Blase, zealous bishop and benefactor of the poor, pray for us.
St. Erasmus, mighty protector of the oppressed, pray for us.
St. Pantaleon, miraculous exemplar of charity, pray for us.
St. Vitus, special protector of chastity, pray for us.
St. Christophorus, mighty intercessor in dangers, pray for us.
St. Dionysius, shining mirror of faith and confidence, pray for us.
St. Cyriacus, terror of hell, pray for us.
St. Achatius, helpful advocate in death, pray for us.
St. Eustachius, exemplar of patience in adversity, pray for us.
St. Giles, despiser of the world, pray for us.
St. Margaret, valiant champion of the Faith, pray for us.
St. Catherine, victorious defender of the Faith and of purity, pray for us.
St. Barbara, mighty patroness of the dying, pray for us.
All ye Holy Helpers, pray for us.
All ye saints of God, pray for us.
In temptations against faith, pray for us.
In adversity and trials, pray for us.
In anxiety and want, pray for us.
In every combat, pray for us.
In every temptation, pray for us.
In sickness, pray for us.
In all needs, pray for us.
In fear and terror, pray for us.
In dangers of salvation, pray for us.
In dangers of honor, pray for us.
In dangers of reputation, pray for us.
In dangers of property, pray for us.
In dangers by fire and water, pray for us.
Be merciful, spare us, O Lord!
Be merciful, graciously hear us, O Lord!
From all sin, deliver us, O Lord.
From Thy wrath, deliver us, O Lord.
From the scourge of earthquake, deliver us, O Lord.
From plague, famine, and war, deliver us, O Lord.
From lightning and storms, deliver us, O Lord.
From a sudden and unprovided death, deliver us, O Lord.
From eternal damnation, deliver us, O Lord.
Through the mystery of Thy holy incarnation, deliver us, O Lord.
Through Thy birth and Thy life, deliver us, O Lord.
Through Thy cross and passion, deliver us, O Lord.
Through Thy death and burial, deliver us, O Lord.
Through the merits of Thy blessed Mother Mary, deliver us, O Lord.
Through the merits of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, deliver us, O Lord.
On the Day of Judgment, deliver us, O Lord!
We sinners, beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou spare us, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou pardon us, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou convert us to true penance, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou give and preserve the fruits of the earth, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou protect and propagate Thy holy Church, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou preserve peace and concord among the nations, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou give eternal rest to the souls of the departed, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou come to our aid through the intercession of the Holy Helpers, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That through the intercession of St. George Thou preserve us in the Faith, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That through the intercession of St. Blase Thou confirm us in hope, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That through the intercession of St. Erasmus Thou enkindle in us Thy holy love, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That through the intercession of St. Pantaleon Thou give us charity for our neighbor, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That through the intercession of St. Vitus Thou teach us the value of our soul, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That through the intercession of St. Christophorus Thou preserve us from sin, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That through the intercession of St. Dionysius Thou give us tranquillity of conscience, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That through the intercession of St. Cyriacus Thou grant us resignation to Thy holy will, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That through the intercession of St. Eustachius Thou give us patience in adversity, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That through the intercession of St. Achatius Thou grant us a happy death, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That through the intercession of St. Giles Thou grant us a merciful judgment, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That through the intercession of St. Margaret Thou preserve us from hell, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That through the intercession of St. Catherine Thou shorten our purgatory, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That through the intercession of St. Barbara Thou receive us in heaven, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That through the intercession of all the Holy Helpers Thou wilt grant our prayers, we beseech Thee, hear us.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us, O Lord.

V. Pray for us, ye Fourteen Holy Helpers.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promise of Christ.

Let us Pray

Almighty and eternal God, who hast bestowed extraordinary graces and gifts on Thy saints George, Blase, Erasmus, Pantaleon, Vitus, Christophorus, Dionysius, Cyriacus, Eustachius, Achatius, Giles, Margaret, Catherine, and Barbara, and hast illustrated them by miracles; we beseech Thee to graciously hear the petitions of all who invoke their intercession. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

O God, who didst miraculously fortify the Fourteen Holy Helpers in the confession of the Faith; grant us, we beseech Thee, to imitate their fortitude in overcoming all temptations against it, and protect us through their intercession in all dangers of soul and body, so that we may serve Thee in purity of heart and chastity of body. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Invocation of the Holy Helpers

Fourteen Holy Helpers, who served God in humility and confidence on earth and are now in the enjoyment of His beatific vision in heaven; because you persevered till death you gained the crown of eternal life. Remember the dangers that surround us in this vale of tears, and intercede for us in all our needs and adversities. Amen.

Fourteen Holy Helpers, select friends of God, I honor you as mighty intercessors, and come with filial confidence to you in my needs, for the relief of which I have undertaken to make this novena. Help me by your intercession to placate God's wrath, which I have provoked by my sins, and aid me in amending my life and doing penance. Obtain for me the grace to serve God with a willing heart, to be resigned to His holy will, to be patient in adversity and to persevere unto the end, so that, having finished my earthly course, I may join you in heaven, there to praise for ever God, who is wonderful in His saints. Amen.

* For more on the Fourteen Holy Helpers, Project Gutenberg offers a free ebook, Mary, Help of Christians and the Fourteen Saints Invoked as Holy Helpers, compiled by Rev. Bonaventure, O.F.M. It has instructions, legends, novenas and prayers, with thoughts of the saints for every day of the year.

Announcing the 135th Annual Feast of San Rocco di Potenza in Little Italy, New York

Feast of San Lupo di Troyes

San Lupo di Troyes, ora pro nobis

July 29th is the Feast of San Lupo di Troyes (c.383-c.478), monk, wonderworker and Bishop of Troyes. He is renowned for combating Pelagianism in Britain and saving Troyes from Attila the Hun. San Lupo di Troyes is the patron saint of San Lupo in Benevento. 

In celebration, we’re posting a prayer to San Lupo. The accompanying photo of the bust of San Lupo, courtesy of Anthony Scillia, was taken at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in the Marion section of Jersey City, New Jersey. Evviva San Lupo di Troyes!

Prayer to St. Lupus of Troyes

O Glorious St. Lupus of Troyes, Bishop and Confessor, you served God in humility and confidence on earth, now you enjoy His beatific vision in Heaven. Help me to strengthen my faith and protect me in conflict. Obtain for me the grace to live a holy life, so that one day I may join you in the Kingdom of Heaven. Amen

Photo of the Week: Antonia Minore in the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli

Antonia Minore, 36 BC-37 AD, Herculaneum Theatre

La Storia del Sud, le Imprese del Sud

In Bovalino (RC)

A Look at the Morgan Library and Museum’s Ongoing 2024 Exhibits (Part 2)

Portrait of a Man, Possibly a Self-Portrait, ca. 1660, black,
white, and red chalk on brown paper, Peter Lely (1618-1680)

Thankfully, I have zero interest in the Olympics. Instead of wasting my time watching the Eldest Daughter of the Church degrade itself before the whole world with its blatantly blasphemous and perverse opening ceremony, I spent my day reveling in traditional European high art at the Morgan Library and Museum in New York City.

[See Part 1] 

Highlights from ‘Far and Away: Drawings from the Clement C. Moore Collection’ (June 28 through September 22, 2024)

Wooded Landscape with Shepherds, Sheep and Cottage, ca. 1760-63,
watercolor and opaque watercolor, over graphite, on tan paper,
Thomas Gainsborough (1727-1788)

A Watermill, ca. 1833-36, pen and brown ink and watercolor, with white opaque watercolor and scratching out, over graphite, John Constable (1776-1837)

Study of a Mackerel, ca. 1845, watercolor, over graphite, on
hot-pressed paper, Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775-1851)

View from Neptune's Grotto in Tivoli, ca. 1660-70, brush and gray
and brown ink and wash, over black chalk, attributed to
Johannes Jansz Collaert (ca. 1621/22-1679)

A Wooded Landscape with Roma Gathered around a Fire, ca. 1778-80,
pen and brown ink and wash, with opaque white watercolor, over
black chalk, on brown paper, Thomas Gainsborough (1727-1788)

The Entry of Christ in Jerusalem, ca. 1610, pen and brown ink, with gray,
brown, and blue wash and white opaque watercolor, over traces
of black chalk, David Vinckboons (1576-ca. 1632)

Figures in a Wooded Landscape with a City in the Distance,
ca. 1620-30, brush and blue ink, over black chalk, squared
in black chalk, Isaak Major (ca. 1576-after 1642)

Callisto's Pregnancy Revealed to Diana, ca. 1600, black and white chalk,
with traces of blue and pink chalk, Hendrick Goltzius (1558-1617)

The Birth of St. John the Baptist, ca. 1660-65, black, red, and
white chalk, with pen and brown ink, and red, gray, and blue wash,
on three pieces of joined paper, Jacob Jordaens (1593-1678)

St. Lambert, ca. 1630-33, pen and brown ink and wash,
and black chalk, Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640)

The Return of Cincinnatus to Rome, ca. 1590-1600, pen and brown
ink and wash, and black chalk, with white opaque watercolor,
Jan van der Straet (known as Johannes Stradanus) (1523-1605)

Danaë Receiving the Golden Rain, ca. 1610, pen and brown ink
and wash, with white opaque watercolor and red watercolor, over
black chalk, on beige paper; contours incised for transfer,
Abraham Bloemaert (1566-1651)

The Mocking of the Spaniard, 1642, black chalk and gray
wash on parchment, Pieter Jansz Quast (1605/6-1647)

Highlights from J.P. Morgan’s Library and Study (Ongoing)

The East Room

(L) Portrait of a Knight of Malta, 1499, tempera and oil on panel, Gian Giacomo D'Alladio, called Macrino D'Alba (ca. 1470-before 1528). (R) St. John the Baptist, late sixteenth century, bronze, after Michelozzo di Bartolomeo (1396-1472)

St. John the Baptist, ca. 1495-1500, marble,
Giovanni Francesco Rustici (1474-1554)

Bronze bust of Alfonso II d’Avalos (1502-1546), Marquis
of Pescara and Vasto, by Annibale Fontana (1540-1587)

Portrait of a Man with a Pink Flower, ca. 1480-85,
oil on panel, Hans Memling (ca. 1440-1494)

Kneeling male donor with his patron, St. William of Maleval,
ca. 1467-70, oil on panel, Hans Memling (ca. 1440-1494)

A peek inside the vault in J.P. Morgan's Study

Highlight from the Rotunda (Ongoing)

Carved Cassone with Base, wood (likely walnut),
64 x 23 x 25 inches, possibly acquired in 1906

Detail of elaborately carved sphinx and lion

Detail of elaborately carved lion

Detail of elaborately carved lion

Highlights from the 'Collections Spotlight, Summer 2024' (May 21 through September 8, 2024)

Perséphone, Paris: Édition Russe de Musique; Berlin: Russischer Musikverlag, [ca. 1934]. Cover illustration by Théodore Stravinsky (1907-1989)

Bestiaire d'amour (Bestiary of love), in Old French,
Northern Italy, ca. 1290, Richard de Fournival

Les abus du monde (The Abuses of the World), in French,
France, Rouen, ca. 1510, Pierre Gringore

Liber de sapiente (Book on Wisdom), Charles de Bovelles,
Paris: printed by Henri Estienne for Jean Petit, 1510

Feast of San Leucio d’Alessandria

San Leucio d'Alessandria, ora pro nobis

In San Salvatore Telesino (BN), the last Sunday in July is the Feast of San Leucio d’Alessandria, First Bishop of Brindisi, Missionary and Wonderworker. It commemorates the Saint's miraculous intercession during the 1656 plague epidemic in the Kingdom of Naples. San Leucio's liturgical memorial is celebrated on January 11.

Highly revered throughout Southern Italy, San Leucio is the patron saint of Atessa (CH), Rocca di Mezzo (AQ), Villavallelonga (AQ), San Leucio del Sannio (BN), Pietracamela (TE), and San Salvatore Telesino (BN). He is invoked against plague, drought and demonic possession.

In 1773 the utopian colony of San Leucio in Caserta was founded and named after the great Saint by King Ferdinando IV of Bourbon.

In celebration, we’re posting a prayer to St. Leucius courtesy of the San Leucio Society of Paterson, New Jersey. Pictured is the Saint’s statue in San Salvatore Telesino. Evviva San Leucio d’Alessandria!

Prayer to St. Leucius

Eternal Father, I wish to honor St. Leucius, and I give You thanks for all the graces You have bestowed upon him. I ask You to please increase grace in my soul through the merits of this saint, and I commit the end of my life to him by this special prayer, so that by virtue of Your goodness and promise, St. Leucius might be my advocate and provide whatever is needed at that hour. Amen.

Feast of Santi Martiri Nazario and Celso

Santi Nazario e Celso, orate pro nobis

July 28th is the Feast of the Martyrs San Nazario and San Celso (Nazarius and Celsus), patron saints of Trivento (CB) in Molise and Frignano (CE) in Campania.

According to tradition, San Nazario was born in Rome to a well-to-do family; his father was a pagan (or Jewish) legionnaire and his mother was none other than St. Perpetua. Baptized by the future Pope St. Linus, he was a devout disciple of St. Peter.

Determined to spread the faith and save souls, San Nazario left the Eternal City and visited northern Italy and Gaul. Along his travels, young Celso was entrusted to Nazario and faithfully served as his assistant during his evangelizing mission.

Repeatedly running afoul with the pagan authorities, the companions were subjected to several tortures. Most famously, the two were to be drowned and cast overboard along the Ligurian coast. Instead of sinking, they miraculously stood up and walked on water. Suddenly a great storm whipped-up and the sailors begged Nazario and Celso to save them. Showing mercy to the would-be executioners, they safely sailed back to Genoa and continued their missionary work.

Nazario and Celso eventually went to their reward in Heaven during the reign of Emperor Nero. Around the year 56 they were beheaded for preaching in Milan. Centuries later, their uncorrupted bodies, including a vial of San Nazario’s blood, were discovered in a garden by St. Ambrose. Interred in the Basilica Apostolorum (eventually renamed San Nazaro in Brolo), St. Ambrose would later send relics of the saints to St. Paulinus in Nola, who greatly revered them.

In celebration, I’m posting a prayer to San Nazario and San Celso in Italian. The accompanying photo of St. Nazarius was taken at Saint Lucy’s Church in Newark, New Jersey. Evviva Santi Nazario e Celso!

Preghiera

A Santi Nazario e Celso

Gloriosissimi Martiri ed Apostoli di Gesù. Santi Nazario e Celso, che con animo invitto e singolare carità ci avete illuminato a conoscere il vero Dio e ci avete ammaestrato nella fede e nella religione di N. S. Gesù Cristo, fonte di vera civiltà e salvezza, venite in nostro aiuto e degnatevi di intercedere per noi. Ottenete ai pusillanimi vigoria di cristiana virtù e vivezza di fede, ai peccatori una vera contrizione delle loro colpe, ai giusti la finale perseveranza. Ascoltate le preghiere di chi ricorre al vostro valevole patrocinio e siate voi gli Angeli tutelari delle nostre famiglie. Deh fate, o invitti Martiri del Signore, che non venga meno nei nostri cuori la fede e l'amore a Gesù Cristo; che fermi ci manteniamo nel divino servizio e possiamo un giorno essere coronati con Voi nel S. Paradiso. Così sia.

Novena in Honor of the Transfiguration of Our Lord

Santissimo Salvatore, have mercy on us

Pray the novena in honor of the Transfiguration of Our Lord for nine consecutive days, July 28th to August 5th, in preparation for the Feast on August 6th.

First Day (July 28)

In the Transfiguration, heaven and earth meet, humanity and divinity, time and eternity. Give me the grace to see how powerful you are. You are master of the universe. If my prayer is not answered, it is not because you cannot do what I want but that you have a different and better plan for me. I ask you especially for [here name your intention]. Our Father – Hail Mary – Glory Be

Second Day (July 29)

The prophet Malachi promised that Elijah would return as a sign the Messiah had arrived. Elijah and Moses appeared with Christ in his Transfiguration. Open our eyes to see how you speak to us in history and throughout our lives. You always keep your promises. Help us learn to read the signs of the times. I ask you especially for [here name your intention]. Our Father – Hail Mary – Glory Be

Third Day (July 30)

Peter blurted out the first thing that came into his head, as we often do. Help me to keep a guard on my mouth: not to gossip or criticise, not to be hurtful or rude. Help me also to be careful if I tell other people how they should be living their lives. I ask you especially for [here name your intention]. Our Father – Hail Mary – Glory Be

Fourth Day (July 31)

Finally, Peter said, “Lord, it is good to be here”. Give me the grace to be with you and to be glad to be with you, trusting you with my life; to know I am not alone in life; that you love me and have a wonderful plan for me if I trust you. I ask you especially for [here name your intention]. Our Father – Hail Mary – Glory Be

Fifth Day (August 1)

At the Transfiguration, Jesus tried to prepare his disciples for the crucifixion. You tell us that if we want to follow you we should take up our cross; but we always hope that the cross will go away. Give me the courage to believe that you carry my cross with me and that it will not crush me. I ask you especially for [here name your intention]. Our Father – Hail Mary – Glory Be

Sixth Day (August 2)

In the Transfiguration there is a glimpse of your glory, a glimpse of your divine nature. Give me this grace: to see your power in my life and have a desire for holiness. Help me to believe I will not lose myself if I follow your teachings. I ask you especially for [here name your intention]. Our Father – Hail Mary – Glory Be

Seventh Day (August 3)

The disciples who saw your Transfiguration were terrified, but you told them to stand up and not to be afraid. Help me remember this. When life knocks me down and when I am afraid, help me to stand up and walk onward with you. I ask you especially for [here name your intention]. Our Father – Hail Mary – Glory Be

Eighth Day (August 4)

Moses and Elijah are living in the presence of Christ in the Transfiguration. All who face death with faith in you will live in your presence for ever. Help us not to fear death. I ask you especially for [here name your intention]. Our Father – Hail Mary – Glory Be

Ninth Day (August 5)

As in eternal life I will see your glory, so at the resurrection of the dead I, too, will be glorified. This life is only a small part of my life in you. Help me to look forward in hope to heaven and to the resurrection of the dead. I ask you especially for [here name your intention]. Our Father – Hail Mary – Glory Be

* The accompanying photo of Santissimo Salvatore della Transfigurazione (Most Holy Savior of the Transfiguration), courtesy of Stephen La Rocca, was taken at St. Mary Magdalene dei Pazzi Church (712 Montrose St.) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 

'1860 Tramonto del Sole' in Troja, Foggia

In Troja (FG)

A Look at the Morgan Library and Museum’s Ongoing 2024 Exhibits (Part 1)

A Kitchen Cook, Reading, 1759, black, white, and red chalk, with smudging,
on light brown paper, Jean-Baptiste Greuze (French, 1725-1805)

Thankfully, I have zero interest in the Olympics. Instead of wasting my time watching the Eldest Daughter of the Church degrade itself before the whole world with its blatantly blasphemous and perverse opening ceremony, I spent my day reveling in traditional European high art at the Morgan Library and Museum in New York City.

[See Part 2] 

Highlights from ‘Liberty to the Imagination: Drawings from the Eveillard Gift’ (June 7 through October 6, 2024)

Studies for the "Arrest of Samson," ca. 1609-11, pen and brown ink and brown and gray wash, Peter Paul Rubens (Flemish, 1577-1640)

Sleeping Female Figure, 1890s, graphite with smudging
and erasures, Auguste Rodin (French, 1840-1917)

Warwick Castle from the Kenilworth Road, ca. 1831-32, watercolor,
opaque watercolor, and black ink over black chalk with
scratching, John Constable (British, 1776-1837)

Portrait of Jenny Le Guillou, ca. 1835-40, brown wash over graphite, on paper brushed and darkened from adhesive, Eugène Delacroix (French, 1798-1863)

Study for "Judas Returning the Thirty Pieces of Silver,"
ca. 1628-29, pen and brown ink and gray wash over black chalk,
Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn (Dutch, 1606-1669)

St. John the Baptist, ca. 1620, red chalk and white opaque
watercolor on pink prepared paper, Antonio d'Enrico,
called Tanzio da Varallo (Piedmont, ca. 1575-ca. 1635)

Study of Marcelle Lender Performing, 1893, red chalk
over graphite, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (French, 1864-1901)

Highlights from ‘Recent Acquisitions from the Clement C. Moore Collection’ (April 23 through July, 2024)

Caernarfon Castle by Moonlight, ca. 1775, black ink and watercolor,
with white opaque watercolor, Paul Sandby (British, 1725/31-1809)

An Ambush Beside a Wood, ca. 1610, pen and brown ink with gray and brown wash, over traces of black chalk, Sebastiaen Vrancx (Flemish, 1573-1647)

A Wooded Road, a Shepherd with His Flock on a Rise at the Right, ca. 1640-50, pen and brown ink and watercolor, Lucas van Uden (Flemish, 1595-1672)

A View in Rome, ca. 1605, graphite and brush and brown wash, with
touches of red chalk, Jan Willemsz Lapp (Dutch, 1585/90-1663)

A Town Cryer with a Drum in a Village, Surrounded by a Crowd
Listening, ca. 1624-25, brush and black ink and gray wash,
over black chalk, Jan van Goyen (Dutch, 1596-1656)

Tivoli, an Evening Study, 22nd May 1781, graphite, pen
and ink, and wash, Francis Towne (British, 1739/40-1816)

Highlight from 'Capturing Atmosphere: European Nature Studies in Oil' (November 14, 2023 through August 11, 2024)

Ischia and the Bay of Naples by Moonlight, ca. 1800,
oil on paper, Pierre Henri de Valenciennes or circle

Highlight from ‘Walton Ford: Birds and Beasts of the Studio’ (April 12 through October 20, 2024)

Lion Entering a Cave, ca. 1860, watercolor,
Gustave Doré (French, 1832-1883)

Highlights from ‘Crafting the Ballets Russes: The Robert Owen Lehman Collection’ (June 28 through September 22, 2024)

Ida Lvovna Rubinstein, ca. 1911, oil on canvas,
Howard Gardiner Cushing (1869-1916)

Comoedia illustré: numéro spécial, vol. 3, no. 17, June 1, 1911. Left page: Léon Bakst (1866-1924), illustration for Ida Rubinstein as St. Sebastian in The Martyrdom of St. Sebastian. Right page: The production's collaborators—composer Claude Debussy, poet Gabriele D'Annunzio, and artist Léon Bakst

Vaslav Nijinsky in "Afternoon of a Faun," modeled 1912,
cast 1959, bronze, marble base, Auguste Rodin (1840-1917)

Self-Portrait, ca. 1907, oil on canvas, ca. 1907,
Natalia Goncharova (1881-1962)

Illustration from "Skazka ob Ivane-tsareviche,
Zhar-ptitse i o serom volke" Ivan Bilibin (1876-1942)

Program for Les Ballets de Madame Ida Rubinstein,
Académie Nationale de Musique et de Danse, May 1929

Comedia illustré souvenir program for the Ballets Russes'
June 1911 season at the Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris

Costume design, 1956, watercolor and pen on paper,
Alexandre Benois (1870-1960)

"Les Ballets Russes à Mogador" program, Paris, June 1922

Mme Ida Rubinstein, 1917, watercolor, gouache, and
graphite on paper, mounted on canvas, Léon Bakst (1866-1924)

"Adagio / Supplication of the Firebird"
from Firebird, Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971)

Michel Fokine, after 1909, lithograph, Valentin Serov (1865-1911)