Time to Hope

Among the masterpieces on display are El Greco’s Saint Sebastian; Goya’s Saint Joseph’s Death; a 15th-century Gutenberg bible; a 10th-century votive cross, plus documents, silver and fabrics from the 7th through the 18th centuries. All will be displayed in specially designed cases on the walls of the Cathedral ambulatory, the 14-foot by 250-foot walkway that curves around the great choir and high altar, as well as in five of the seven chapels off the ambulatory.

"The Cathedral is honored to be the site of this once-in-a-lifetime exhibition of some of the world’s most important sacred objects," said the Very Rev. Dr. James A. Kowalski, dean of the cathedral. "These revered works send a message of hope to our city and nation; a message so appropriate during the time when we mark the first anniversary of the tragedy of September 11."

The exhibit is divided into seven distinct chapters or sections: Sacred Scripture; The Illusion of Happiness; At the Right Moment: God and Man; Solidarity in Pain and Death; The Measure of Man; Ecstasy and Emotions; and At the End, Hope. Each contains various works that are designed to help the viewer ponder questions, such as: Who am I? What is my destiny? What is the meaning of life, and what are death, pain and illness?

“Time To Hope” marks the first time these priceless works from throughout the provinces of Castilla and León have left Spain. These two regions include the renowned cities of Salamanca, Burgos, Ávila and Segovia, and hold much of Spain’s cultural and artistic treasures.

This exhibit is one part of “Treasures of Castilla y León,” a dazzling series of cultural events and art exhibitions taking place in New York City from June 2002 through April 2003, sponsored by the government of Castilla and León and organized by the Ages of Mankind Foundation.

Open daily from 9:30 am to noon, and 1 pm to 5 pm, the exhibit is free and no advance tickets are required. A voluntary contribution is suggested.

THE EPISCOPAL NEW YORKER
Cathedral Exhibits Spanish Masterpieces By Herb Katz
"Embrace of St. Joaquin and St. Ann" by Juan De Juni	Christianity arose in Spain shortly after apostolic times, and in the ensuing centuries the nation’s churches, cathedrals, monasteries and convents have become repositories for a sizeable portion of the country’s art treasures, where they have been safeguarded for centuries. Now, an inspiring array of over 100 of Spain’s most noteworthy religious objects, including paintings by Goya and El Greco, has been assembled into an exhibit, “Time To Hope,” which is currently on display at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine through November 24.	"Virgin and Child" by Juan De Juni
Among the masterpieces on display are El Greco’s Saint Sebastian; Goya’s Saint Joseph’s Death; a 15th-century Gutenberg bible; a 10th-century votive cross, plus documents, silver and fabrics from the 7th through the 18th centuries. All will be displayed in specially designed cases on the walls of the Cathedral ambulatory, the 14-foot by 250-foot walkway that curves around the great choir and high altar, as well as in five of the seven chapels off the ambulatory. "The Cathedral is honored to be the site of this once-in-a-lifetime exhibition of some of the world’s most important sacred objects," said the Very Rev. Dr. James A. Kowalski, dean of the cathedral. "These revered works send a message of hope to our city and nation; a message so appropriate during the time when we mark the first anniversary of the tragedy of September 11." The exhibit is divided into seven distinct chapters or sections: Sacred Scripture; The Illusion of Happiness; At the Right Moment: God and Man; Solidarity in Pain and Death; The Measure of Man; Ecstasy and Emotions; and At the End, Hope. Each contains various works that are designed to help the viewer ponder questions, such as: Who am I? What is my destiny? What is the meaning of life, and what are death, pain and illness? “Time To Hope” marks the first time these priceless works from throughout the provinces of Castilla and León have left Spain. These two regions include the renowned cities of Salamanca, Burgos, Ávila and Segovia, and hold much of Spain’s cultural and artistic treasures. This exhibit is one part of “Treasures of Castilla y León,” a dazzling series of cultural events and art exhibitions taking place in New York City from June 2002 through April 2003, sponsored by the government of Castilla and León and organized by the Ages of Mankind Foundation. Open daily from 9:30 am to noon, and 1 pm to 5 pm, the exhibit is free and no advance tickets are required. A voluntary contribution is suggested.
Detail of a work by Beato De Balcabrado, left; "Christ Laid Out" by Gregorio Fernandez, center, and "Commentaries on the Book of the Apocalypse" by Beato De Liebana, right Photos courtesy of the CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF ST. JOHN THE DIVINE BACK