Pageantry, Pomp and Patronage

Visiting churches is something I love doing regardless of country or creed; architecture is a passion of mine and churches are a perfect opportunity to see how architecture and art developed over the ages. My favourite is a basilica in Franconia which I have often mentioned, Vierzehnheiligen (I posted a sketch a couple of weeks ago). Here is the complete sketchbook page for the basilica which is a masterpiece built by Balthasar Neumann. 

In complete contrast to the somewhat heavy baroque exterior is the pale, pastel interior in the blues, golds, pinks and whites of the rococo. 

Just look at that, rocailles as far as the eye can see, wow, one of which I've featured in my sketchbook page! 

When talking about how much I love looking at churches I often encounter comments like ''Money thrown out for pomp, they should have spent it on the poor, or for charity'', ''what a waste'' but I'm afraid as an artist I cannot see churches and cathedrals in that way. The church were patrons of the arts and without the patronage the talent of many a famous artist would have gone unrecognised or left the artist without the means to continue. Secondly, building projects like Vierzehnheiligen provided workplaces for builders, labourers, artisans, stonemasons, carpenters, weavers, indeed whole towns were involved and kept alive by such major building projects. Vierzehnheiligen took nearly 30 years to complete, in which time artisans were brought in from the whole of Germany, the frescoes were painted by Guiseppe Appiani who came from Mainz, the plasterwork by artisans from the very south of Bavaria; itinerant workers needed lodgings and board which were supplied by locals. Small towns and villages thrived on the back of such projects. 

Nowadays,  many prefer to worship at the alter of TV and social media, the idols are Kim Kardashian and a whole range of plastic people but what will be left for posterity? A glass display case with Kimmy K's silicone implants, Mr West's glittering mask, or sneakers!

The patrons of the future have as much,  if not more money to throw at the arts, be interesting to see whether our culture and their patronage stands the test of time as beautifully as this basilica.