Continued from: A Different Da Vinci Code
Q: Are you trying to say that we should look for signs of conflict between John the Baptist and Jesus portrayed in Leonardo's work?
A: Take another look at the sketch with St. Anne, recalling that psychologists have amply demonstrated that our minds tend to see what we permit them to see. Is the infant Jesus caressing the infant John under the chin while blessing him? Or is Jesus stiff-arming the
young John the Baptist while clutching the incredibly powerful arm of the mysterious angel, the one with the huge hand pointing up? (Notice also that a female figure plus Hermes always becomes more male.)… This type of paradox is the essence of Hermetic symbolism in Renaissance art; do we see this, or do we see that? Is Jesus piously blessing…or boldly seizing the reins of power? The artist had a robust sense of humor and so should we, as well as an awareness that visual ambiguity was never more cleverly manipulated than by the incomparable Leonardo da Vinci… In fact, he still can bamboozle to this day. If you think that rugged ol' John the Baptist at the high point of his career should look like the Angel in the Flesh , just because of some artsy Renaissance canon that Leonardo used to explain away his obsession for sneaking in an androgyne Hermes wherever possible…then congratulations, you've been hoodwinked by the best!… I can only hope this has been illuminating, a glimpse down some of history's dimmer corridors… As far as logically evaluating this all-for-one Hermetic explanation, it appeals to the principle of parsimony since it requires no seafaring deus ex machina or arcane missing pieces of evidence… It's simply obvious from what we have always known but have ignored, and what we have always looked at but refused to see… It's prospects, however, must be rated as commercially disappointing… I am, nevertheless, hoping for the day when Hermes can enjoy his own National Geographic Special… The Professor might just be watching too.
Affectionately,
Professor Nemo
You may wish to comment, remembering that Professor Nemo has always tried to be conscientious about reading what is put before him, but understanding also that the Prof. has always been an atrocious pen pal. Feel free to suggest topics or questions that you think might benefit from future conversations. This text, while copyrighted is open to be quoted or reproduced in full other than for profit. It was first published on the Web at MENTAL KUDZU on 9/11/2005 , and revised 9/27/2005 . This edition is dated 11/7/05 . Thanks for stopping by!
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