12/04/2025
Something I just needed to get off my chest
Recently, my wife and I made a trip to Italy. leaving the Saint Marks Basilica in Venice, speaking with a couple in front of us, the husband quoted someone that I don’t recall that “ art was dead in Venice”. While the magnificence of Saint Marks left an indelible and lasting impression of awe and grandeur, I disagree with his remark, even though I understand where he was coming from.
I have always been a firm believer in the power of the human spirit. When suitably inspired, it is incredible what humans can accomplish in any age.  The technology that allowed the construction of the great pyramids of Giza or the dome of the pantheon is truly an unbelievable feat. In my opinion, the result of a crossroads of not only technology, but also finance and manpower. Geographic location to the materials needed and the will to do it.
Some of the magnificent churches that bless Europe took hundreds of years to complete. Today we can build a skyscraper over a quarter of a mile into the air inside of a decade.  I find that equally impressive.
Today we have amazing artists that in my opinion are equal in talent to any that has ever existed. I am sure that many of you will find that a controversial statement. Today’s artist do have the luxury of learning from previous generations, but aside from the earliest of humanity that has always been the case, perhaps to varying degree. The Renaissance brought for a flourishing of new styles and techniques that are still used abundantly today. Today’s wielder of the brush, the engraving chisel, sculptures, and Builders can and do make masterpieces that stand shoulder to shoulder with the very best of the past. Engravers like Damien Connolly, Winston Churchill, Sam Alfano, Brian Horstrat just a name a few create engravings that are tomorrow’s masterworks that will be looked upon with the same reverence as many of the master painters from the Renaissance. I’ve said this before, and I truly believe that we are in the golden age of engraving. Take a look at the work of Alain Lovenburg and find its equal from any era before……go ahead…..i’ll wait….
I believe in some forms that art might be dormant, but not dead. The water and nourishment to bring it out out of this dormancy is the same as it’s always been…… finance
Someone has to financially support the creation of today’s masterpieces. The unbelievable wealth that existed in ancient Rome and Venice in Florence in Paris, etc., etc.. Facilitated the creation of truly awe inspiring works. We never know what the future holds, but it is hard to believe that society will facilitate creations on the scale of the renaissance again. That doesn’t mean that the talent or the technology doesn’t exist today.
So take this as a tip of my hat to the unbelievably talented artists that are alive and well today. To the men and women that push their Craft to the point where the viewer is moved and at times overcome with the power of the emotion these pieces bring forth. That is my definition of art, and if you are fortunate enough to have the means, find your artist and turn him loose. You just might go down in history for it
Keep pushing my brethren!
