Danse Macabre: Father Matthew Presents

[abominableangel]

oh ... :( i was just getting into that .. then poof all finished what a shame it was damaged .. i wanted to hear how it ended

[dawn0293]

Interesting piece of historical political propaganda. Must of taken the artist quite some time.

[menkbabe1]

I found something heaven bound in the gaze of this work of painting and reading.

How wonderful the artwork you show is since it imaginatively brings the reality of death, as we are but dust. This regardless of our station.

In life we hold the hand of death. A good Benedictine reminder. What an artful statement you make in interpreting Danse Macabe, the painting. Benedict says run, and we do seek our heavenly home. We do this even in the midst of adversity and the pall of sickly death.

[ned262626]

i dont think churfch and state were one thing back then

[FatherMatthew]

Well said. I was using short hand to articulate a society where the lines of power and influence in church matters and state matters were MUCH more blurry than they are now.

[stancan2]

Yes,That's right pradre. In Tallin, by the year 1524 plebs ransacked Oleviste and Holy Ghost Churches and Dominican St. Cathrine Church. The Town Council tried to constrain the spontaneous spoliation and obtain control over money matters of churches. The Dominican Convent was dissolved in January 1525. Little by little church life was reorganized according to ideas carried by reformation.

[FatherMatthew]

Wow. Thank you for the education.

[stancan2]

I didn't see much if any; as Matthew said, "Christian Teachings." I heard a reading of an artist radical political view of it's time. Was this artist correct in the personal "free thinking" view of the Church at the time?

I believe not.The painting and it's depiction, is very much a "political cartoon" of it's day. And, the continued "protestant view" of the One True Church established by Christ.

[FatherMatthew]

So, your sense is that the Roman Catholic church in Tallin in which it hung for 500 years (now a deconsecrated museum) assumed it was a protestant work? And, for a cartoon, it is huge!!

[SurferRosa79]

Mr. Moretz, this video is AWESOME! This religion on the other hand, it definitely is a death cult.

[FatherMatthew]

More like a life-death-new life cult, but thanks for the compliment!

[ZacharyDBrooks]

People these days do their best to pretend death doesn't exist. This work was created while the Black Plague was ravaging Europe. In such a time as that the topic of death was pretty difficult to ignore.

[JJTecumseh87]

what exactly is a death cult?

[chalicechiq]

My goodness, Fr. M, you've outdone yourself on this one. Brilliant video.

I tend to like your very "scholarly" videos, like the one you did about Mary Magdalene, and the Apocalypse, and the chapel of bones you saw when you went to Europe.

Keep up the great work!

[holylight12]

That was very good and creative. Thanks for putting it up :)

[crigjig]

Very fascinating...I do wonder if the ending was destroyed on purpose. Coincidence the tale ends before the Bishop gets his?

[FatherMatthew]

Your theory makes sense...a little editing never hurt anyone...

[Chrisspy704]

@crigjig Well, the pope got his so I think it would make more sense that if it were to be destroyed purposefully, the whole thing would have to be destroyed.

[joeraybray]

What music was used in this?

[knightedd]

The message of the painting is still as thought provoking and relevant as 500 years ago. If anything we are more in denial of our mortality and the transitory nature of life now than back then.

[jedi0424]

Awesome vid. Fr. Matthew :)

[foititis]

its such a shame we missed the rest of it

[stanknastie]

Very interesting. I particularly liked the "southern belle" accent given to the empress. Very effective!!! You should do a video about Elizabeth I and the early history of the church.

[linman7]

Ha! Blanche DuBois as empress! Great video, Matthew.

[ironfisteagleclaw]

Thank you so much . I enjoy your videos very much.

[TophatCat219]

That was amazing! I wish the entirety of the painting was still there.