In your textbook (Janson, p. 393), there is an excerpt from the very famous description written by the twelfth-century Abbot Suger describing his rebuilding of the French royal Abbey Church of Saint-Denis ( 1137-1144 CE). Suger addresses one of the questions that came up in Tuesday's lecture: what is the justification for the creation of costly treasury objects in Christian churches? If the Christianity understands God as an invisible presence, why the emphasis on shiny visible and material things?
Suger says the following (and by "we" he really means "I"):
"We insisted that the sacred, life-giving cross should be adorned. Therefore we searched around everywhere by ourselves and by our agents for an abundance of precious pearls and gems... Often we contemplate these different ornaments both new and old. When the loveliness of the many-colored gems has called me away from external cares, and worthy meditation has induced me to reflect on the diversity of the sacred virtues, transferring that which is material to that which is immaterial: then it seems to me that I see myself dwelling, as it were, in some strange region of the universe which neither exists entirely in the slime of the earth nor entirely in the purity of Heaven; and that, by the grace of God, I can be transported from this inferior to that higher world..."
The chalice pictured above was part of Abbot Suger's treasury and was used in the ceremony of the Eucharist during the Christian Mass, and ceremonial celebration of Christ's body and blood. The chalice would have been used for administering the wine that symbolized the blood of Christ. Like the Lothar Cross, it combines an ancient Roman stone cup and inset gemstones with a medieval gold setting. What is Suger's justification for creating precious objects like this chalice, and what might be the argument against his claims?
First of all, I want to express my awe for the chalice - it's beautiful! I think Suger justified himself with the claim that all beauty and artistry originates from God, so it is most appropriate to use this craftsmanship directly for God, or in this context, Christ. Because the chalice holds something considered sacred - wine representing Christ's blood - Suger may have wanted to emphasize the importance of the chalice and the ceremony it was used for. Seeing something put in an ornate chalice would be viewed as of higher value than something placed in a plain, ordinary cup.
ReplyDeleteEsther makes a simple but essential point: the splendor of a religious object like this chalice was justified first and foremost in the mind of a medieval patron like Abbot Suger as a way of expressing and visualizing the sacred.
DeleteSugar justifies objects such as the chalice by explaining how god creates art and beauty. It is important to use artistic beauty to represent God or Chris because God creates beauty. The chalice symbolizes the value and importance of the Eucharist. He also explains that the gems and gold are attractive so they encourage people to participate in the religion.
ReplyDeleteExactly -- the link between human and divine creation is part of the fundamental argument of such costly objects
DeleteSuger justified the elegance and adornment of the chalice by stating that since it is a divine object, it is acceptable for it to be this extravagant because it celebrates God and all His divine spirit. He states that the jewels and ornate decorations of the cup call him away from "external cares," meaning that the beauty of the cup distracts him from anything else. This is reflective of the fact that God and religion have dominance over any other aspect of his life and therefore justify its ornateness because it is reflective of God's presence in his life.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, Suger states that the contemplation of such a splendid object leads him directly to contemplation of God!
DeleteI really love the body of the chalice. The natural pattern of the semi-precious stone contrasted against the shape of the chalice evokes a sense of fluidity. Such technical skill and use of materials is a testament to the value of the object and the ideology behind it.
ReplyDeleteCritics may argue that the chalice and Suger's treasury was an unnecessary use of church funds for political reasons, that was contrary to the teachings of Christianity; precisely because of such excess. However, it is important to not the socio-economic conditions of the time. Class divisions meant that religion was seen as the sole way one could overcome their socio-economic circumstances. Hence the artistic disposition towards opulence and associating objects of Christianity with the wealthy. Being a believer made one rich, in Heaven and through the name of God. Uniting people under a force like religion made the nation more powerful.
Amelia is right to mention the potential for political/social criticism in spending lavishly on Christian objects for worship, and indeed such critique was raised in the Middle Ages. Suger wants to see visual splendor as a metaphor for heavenly splendor, and thus in service of spirituality, but again, not everyone at the time would have agreed with him
DeleteSuger justified the beauty of the chalice by stating that all beauty originates from God. The delicate gems are symbolic of God's strength and his/her importance. They also attract the community to attend Mass and other ceremonial celebrations. However, one may argue that this investment is unnecessary because God is an invisible figure and he/she does not have the opportunity to appreciate its beauty.
ReplyDeleteReally nice summary -- the tension between the visible and the invisible is one of the central themes we discussed as underlying medieval art and especially representations associated with the divine!
DeleteAbbot Suger seems to suggest that the creation of all of the Christian religious artifacts is apart of the goal to create tangible objects that can represent and bring one closer to God. Suger states that God is "immaterial" and by searching the land for precious gems, we as humans are trying to find ways to get closer to God even though we technically know that this is not possible. People relate to God and religion in all sorts of different ways, for some just using, seeing, and/or even praying with this chalice, one could feel closer and more connected to to Christianity and God. One could also believe that this chalice has an actual connection to Christ or Mary or a famous Saint, by using various materials that are thought to have been theirs, which would make it be considered as a holy religious object.
ReplyDeleteindeed, Suger feels strongly that the material world (and costly objects like the chalice) can aid in connecting him and Christian worshipper in general to the immaterial world of God
DeleteSugar justifies the adornment of the chalice by talking about the origins of beauty. I was really struck by the line "...transferring that which is material to that which is immaterial." I interpreted it as saying that the beauty of the chalice (a material objects) helps us to greater appreciate God and religion (the immaterial) as God created all things, including the beauty in the chalice. It is a really interesting concept of religious worship that I never though about before.
ReplyDelete-Zoe Handy
DeleteThis is a perfect summary of what Suger means, Zoe!
DeleteSuger admits that there are no earthly possessions that could ever match the divinity of Christ. However the Chalice is a precious object with or without the precious gemstones and golden details, because it holds the sacrament of the Eucharist. In a Eucharistic sense, the lavish details of the chalice are merely a vehicle for Christ’s blood to Christian fellows. Sugar can rationalize the earthly beauty of the cup by cherishing it for a divine purpose.
ReplyDeleteGrace's use of the word "rationalize" is well chosen, especially because there were contemporary medieval detractors who argued against the use of precisely such lavish and ornate objects in a spiritual setting
DeleteLooking at the teachings in the Bible, it is easy to see why the church thought they were justified in keeping an expensive piece of art. It does not teach against possessing money, merely agianst loving it (1 Timothy 6:10) and serving it before God (Matthew 6:24). In the crucifixtion story, it states that Jesus owned a tunic made of one piece of fabric so that it had no seams (John 19:23). This was an expensive luxury at the time. When Christ turned water into wine, he did not just make enough to last the rest of the party, but enough to last for weeks (John 2). Looking outside the Gospels, James 5 features a warning to wealthy people who use their position to mistreat others. It does not criticize them for having the money in the first place.
ReplyDeleteKeeping these passages in mind, it is easier to understand why the church felt that it was ok to have objects like this chalice. It was being used in the service of God, and they were using their wealth to glorify him, not oppress people.
This is a subtle analysis, Matthew, and one that surely would have appealed to Suger himself -- the problem is when costly objects are worshipped for their own sake, whereas Suger feels they can aid in the contemplation of God and true faith.
DeleteI think Suger is claiming that one can get lost in the beauty of the gems. The gems can make one feel unattached to the material world because of their beauty. Because the gems are so beautiful, one forgets about other material goods in comparison. Suger then claims that after this disconnection from ‘our world’ and some more thinking, one can reach a higher level of existence. This level appears to be in a liminal space of neither Heaven nor earth. At this level, you can fully have a connection to God. This connection can only occur with the “precious pearls and gems.”
ReplyDeleteOne argument could be the idea that only the rich can afford these precious gems and therefore only the rich can make this connection. Having a connection with God should be universal and therefore not limited to a group of people.
Eva makes a very relevant point about audience for an object like this chalice. It would have been seen up close only by the highest members of the clergy in the church -- the average church visitor never would have gotten close to it
DeleteFrom my perspective, Suger justifies the adornment of the Chalice by claiming that God creates the beauty. The precious gems and pearls can represent the sacred virtues of God. The beautiful chalice can help show one's respect for the God and show the divinity of him. He also states that the extravagance of the chalice makes him kind of feel disconnected to the inferior world and thus be closer to the God.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I am not religious, I believe one can express his or her awe in many other ways. People who are unable to afford such expensive object can still be faithful followers of God. What's more, God himself is powerful enough and may not need such object to celebrate or glorify him.
absolutely, Suger speaks from a privileged position of having access to gems and costly religious objects like this chalice, but no official Christian doctrine ever mandates that kind of access as necessary to faithful worship
DeleteSuger created such an expensive and precious object in order to glorify God and to represent the higher world above inferior, sinful human beings. The adorned chalice also serves to pay honor and respect to God and his son Jesus. Since it was used in the ceremony of the Eucharist, I feel that it is justifiable that the cup is so beautifully adorned. This chalice was used to administer the blood of Christ, so it is appropriate that it is so precious, as Christ was not an ordinary human sinner and his blood is of special significance. An argument against this reasoning is that shiny, elaborate materials can never truly depict the invisible presence of God. This argument is true but I think that the purposeful use of precious pearls and gems to adorn this chalice still allows Suger to express his faith and admiration for the divine powers of Christianity.
ReplyDeleteSophie is quite right that the chalice's essential role in the ceremony of the Eucharist helped to justify its splendor and visual prominence within the context of Christian worship
DeleteAbbot Suger suggests that by creating tangible objects like this chalice, he is providing people with a physical representation of the intangible ideas of God and religion. Although the counter argument is that religion is stronger and more complex than the physical beauty of a man-made object, Suger takes an opposite approach. He considers a real, physical object to be the stepping stone to the "higher world," and therefore, the necessary connection to faith and religion. Suger believes that in no way does the chalice, for example, deter one's idea of God and his invisible presence, but instead, strengthens one's connection to God by bringing religion directly into the physical world as a reminder of God and everything religion stands for.
ReplyDeleteanother very nice summary of Suger's argument!
DeleteThe meticulous craftsmanship and the amazing beauty lead the prayers to associate this object automatically with the God and heaven. All the different gems on the chalice may refer to all types of virtues. They also suggest the universality of Christianity. Additionally, on the base of this chalice are the relief sculptures of Christ and objects that are related to him. Looking at this chalice equals to look at the God. This chalice can serve as an incarnation of Christ.
ReplyDeletenice observation about the representation of Christ's face in one of the medallion's at the base of the chalice, suggesting his physical incarnation through the ceremony of the Eucharist
DeleteSuger's justification for such adorned objects has to do with the way the viewer is transferred from the "material" world to the "immaterial" world. His perspective is grounded in the idea that by bringing in a well adorned item is what captures the attention of the common person. Extreme focus is brought on by extreme beauty and this veneration is brought on through focusing exclusively on an external object that takes the attention away from the viewer, her problems, her surroundings, etc. All she sees is this chalice. This focus on the external chalice captures all of the attention of the viewer and is what allows her to be transported to a different realm of spirituality where she knows that the chalice is that which connects her to God and the "immaterial" or spiritual realm.
ReplyDeleteAn argument against his claims of connection to spirituality through inspiration in physical beauty is that the common person may not have been instructed to understand that beauty can be linked to God but that it shows rather a type of moral reticence or delineation of the spiritual on the part of the church. Why would an appreciation of external beauty transport a person to joy in God? It is far more likely it inspires a disconnectedness between a God who values wealth and extravagance and a humble worshiper who can provide none.
Savannah provides a strong summary of the arguments both for and against an object like the chalice. A contemporary might easily have said to Suger that the wealth and splendor of his treasury was more a hindrance and distraction than an aid to devotion
DeleteI think that Suger is trying to suggest that the beauty of the gems and the quest for that beauty in God's name takes his mind off of the world here on earth. In doing so, his mind is free to be emptied and focused on the spiritual world. However, I have a hard time believing this explanation.
ReplyDeleteIndeed!
DeleteThe chalice was an obvious expression of power and wealth. However, Suger justified this display by calling it the power of God. He claimed that the chalice's beauty transported hint to another realm, allowing him to be closer to God. This could be because expensive jewel-encrusted items were so rare, they would seem other-worldly if looked upon by a person of the Medieval Ages. By transfixing the viewer with its beauty, it allowed them to forget about everything else. One could argue that this was technically dangerous and disagreeable because then the viewer could potentially forget to worship God.
ReplyDeleteyes, another good summary of Suger's argument and potential objections that might be raised against it
DeleteThe elaborate pattern and glittering gold surface show the financial power of Christianity. The various gems indicate the sacredness of the chalice. I think this chalice not only shows the widespread and dominant role that Christianity played at that time, but also help deepen Christianity in people’s minds by displaying its ability to create such a precious object.
ReplyDeleteSherry is right that the chalice also demonstrates the material wealth and power of the Christian Church in the Middle Ages, both spiritually and politically -- this is something that Suger knows but does not say explicitly
DeleteSuger explains that because the cross is sacred, they wanted to honor it by adorning it beautifully and extravagantly. Although it is decorated with costly treasures, it is sacred and precious in itself because of what it represents and therefore is inherently different from the flashy but empty treasures of the material world that people get sucked into. By being able to recognize that Christianity is the true treasure, not the worldly things that hide behind flashy facades, a true believer can gaze upon this beautiful Chalice for its true beauty, not its glitzy external surface. Like Suger said, when gazing upon it, the beautiful chalice draws him in and pulls him away from external cares. Rather than focusing on the material, he moves toward the immaterial and in this way, hopes to rise to to that higher world. Although the gems and ornaments seem like a contradiction to the original intent, it can also serve as a sort of "test" for your faith that once overcome, leads you closer to reaching salvation.
ReplyDeleteInteresting idea about there being a test built into an object like this chalice, which might initially distract from divine contemplation and demands a truly faithful viewer who can understand that they should ultimately see beyond it
DeleteSuger justifies this display by claiming it to be the power of God, the creation of God. He created this object as a symbol representing the divinity of God himself, as God has created all beauty in this world. Critics may argue that creating such an elaborate thing is unnecessary and cannot possibly symbolize the divinity that is God.
ReplyDeleteExactly!
DeleteSuger's justification in making highly ornate objects such as the chalice is that it is a human's best attempt to connect themselves to another realm in order to be with God. People put such time, effort, and resources in the making of these objects in hopes to best represent what the pure power and awe that these divinities have in their minds, and best way of going about that is to make the object valuable and rare. This takes away from respecting and praying to the divinity themselves, because people just end up worshipping the object since it is so ornate.
ReplyDeleteGood point about how one of the motivations underlying Suger's endeavor in commissioning this chalice and other costly works is to get as close to God as possible through the act of creating beautiful manifestations of His presence.
DeleteSuger justifies the flashy gems by arguing that they serve as a means to transport him and others closer to God and a divine realm. An argument against this justification is that only immaterial means could possible transport one closer to God, like good deeds and prayer.
ReplyDelete-Rebecca Ritchin
Exactly -- another good succinct summary
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