Religion as Expressed in Art, Music and Literature Essay -- Visual Art

Salvador Dali, born in Spain in 1904, was one of worlds most famousSurrealist ruseists. His work is popular amongst modern society as wellas art enthusiasts and often interweaves bizarre and thought-provokingideas with abstract images, many of these symbolising dreams andfantasies. His characterizations explore the connection between reality andfantasy, and he once described his claim work as hand painted dreamphotographs.His exploration of fantasy and subconscious is pronounced clearly inThe Sacrament of the Lords Supper, painted in 1955. The paintingshows Dalis depiction of The Last Supper. Jesus is centred at thetable with his twelve Disciples kneeling devoutly, with heads bowed,in perfect symmetry, as if two groups of six were mirroring each otheron either side of Jesus. Above Jesus we find a transp bent image of hisown body. Dali painted this image to be interpreted by the someonein different ways. It represents both the literal Jesus about to bebetrayed and facing his arr est and crucifixion, and the spiritualJesus the belief in God and the credence that is present withChristians. A person with a non ghostly view would most probably seethis as the literal sense of Christ, where as a Christian or otherwisereligious person would be much likely to see both the literal and thespiritual representations.In the background, we are able to see a calm lake surrounded by barrenhills. A mystical aura of light rests in the centre of thelandscape. Again, the interpretation of what this represents lieswithin the individual. It could merely be luck of the beautifulPalestinian landscape, or it could be a holy aura of light emanatingfrom Jesus, to represent his divinity. Dali presents us with aconflict of the literal reality and the religious mysticism, knowingthat only the eye of faith can pierce the veil of understanding.Situated in front of Jesus on the table are a broken loaf of ordinarybrown bread and a glass of red vino. The Bible tells us how Jesus gavehis disciples the blessed bread and the wine to represent his body andhis blood.This is my body, which is for you. Do this in memory of me1 Corinthians 1124In this painting, Dali gives us a sense of spirituality. He achievesthis using the viewers speculative contribution rather than the actualrepresentation of his images. To... ...nterpret it their self and form their ownconclusions based on this. There are also a few scriptural references tothe arts in Christianity.Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing andmake music in your heart to the LordEphesians 519Additionally, when stack are listening to a piece of religious musicor to a certain extent viewing a piece of religious art or drama, theycan sometimes encounter a numinous experience, similar to that whichsomebody may feel upon entering a greatly religious create orbeautiful place. Many people have experienced this while listening tothe Hallelujah Chorus from Handels Messiah. In my opinion, thearts are one the best ways to take out a religious idea, as I stronglybelieve that some things that can not be described verbally can be mouth through music or art.It seems to me that although conventional methods of worshipping areligion are successful in many ways, the arts can be a more effectiveway to express religious reasoning and help people to form their ownconclusions about religion without encountering bias from people whoalready have strong religious, or anti-religious, views.