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| Ghent alter piece, St. Bavo's Cathedral Ghent |
Last week, after a three-year restoration, the centerpiece of Jan Van Eyck's enormous 15th century, 12 panel masterpiece, ‘The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb’, returned to the alter at St Bavo’s Cathedral in Ghent, its home for the last nearly 600 years and people are freaking out about it. As one Twitter user writes, “The lamb of the Ghent Altarpiece was a mistake and whoever painted over it was right to do so.” Yes, the eyes are stunning. This is not the proverbial sacrificial lamb about to get his baby throat sliced open in yet another heartbreaking slaughter of innocence.
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| Memes abound |
In a Guardian op-ed, Jonathan Jones thanks people for their insight then adds, "but I doubt Jan van Eyck ever made a mistake in his life. He was miles ahead of any Italian Renaissance artist, including Leonardo da Vinci" adding that Van Eyck's Lamb, "announces the Renaissance." Indeed.
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| Dad brought home a big surprise |
Now, of course, the Mystic Lamb has His own Twitter account packed with juicy quotes befitting the gaze of the Lamb and memes abound which brings me to what is the real point of this post, introducing Merle (aka Merlin).
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| Merle, my new granddoggo and skateboard champion (actually he hated it) |
When we saw Merlin at the shelter, cone and all, the very first thing I thought of was the Mystic Lamb, this before the restoration was unveiled. There is an uncanny likeness with and without the new eyes. So, here's the deal, if Van Eyck's Lamb still freaks you out, think of Merle, sweet as can be, rescued from the mean streets of California who now has three brothers, a loving Dad and home.
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| Merle and the Mystic Lamb |
4 comments:
That IS an eerie likeness. But I like Merle's looks with his little button eyes over the strangely critical, somewhat superior visage of the the Mystic Lamb.
I take Merle over Mr. M.L. any day. No offense intended but M.L. is obviously in no need of anything. Merle, on the other hand, looks entirely open to the idea of being scooped up for a big cuddle at anytime and wouldn't even mind a treat or two thrown in for good measure.
There is indeed a certain simple honesty about Merle that is lacking in the Mystic Lambs inscrutable gaze. Plus, skateboard.
Exactly. All that fame has spoiled the Mystic Lamb but what can you expect when you're inundated with it for 500 years. Mystic Merle, OTOH, is honest to the core plus his hair is growing in so he's more lamb-like than ever. I'll snaggle a photo off his Dad and post it so you can see. He's truly fabulous! Yes and plus skateboard. :)
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