St. Peter, Rome (1506-1626)
Wealth centralized in the Catholic Church. Still extraordinary, and post Gutenberg.
reply
The prevailing perception that wealth was centralized in the Catholic Church is an oversimplification, especially when analyzed through the prism of the separation of powers into spiritual authority (authoritas) and temporal power (potestas). This dichotomy reflects a division of governance rather than a consolidation. Luther, while initially seeming to challenge the Church's structure, inadvertently facilitated the amalgamation of these separated powers. The diffusion of his ideas, propelled by Gutenberg's printing innovation, contributed to the empowerment of secular rulers, thus laying the groundwork for the rise of absolutist monarchies which, in turn, served as the precursors to the modern State. Luther's legacy, therefore, is paradoxically linked to the unintended unification of power under the nascent State rather than its division.
reply
The Catholic Church and incredible transmission of power over time.
reply
In yon uncharted swath of heaven's vast, 'pon a sphere named Aesthetica by its kin, Did rise a folk, the Aestheticans, 'neath skies untouched by sin. Their world a canvas lush and vast, with nature's bounty rife, Where beauty's hand did mold their souls, and form their very life.
From earthen bed, their cities sprung, with architecture grand, As structures wove 'round nature's thrum, in harmony they stand. Their edifices caught the morn and eve's soft-glowing light, And walls did bloom with shifting hues, as day succumbed to night.
Their artistry, a marriage of both function and of form, Did mimic the land's own contours, in storm and calm and warm. Sculptures in the public eye did breathe with elements’ flow, Creating spectacles anew, in ceaseless, artful show.
Their craft did blend with nature's touch, machines of silent grace, As rivers' stones in smooth repose, with no rough edge to face. In garments that did flutter and shift with gait and mood, They wrapped themselves in visual songs, in sartorial interlude.
Their music wove through daily life, a harmony profound, As districts chimed in concert, a symphonic surround. Leaves rustled with deliberate tone, a curated sylvan sound, Each plant selected for the rustle or whisper it could expound.
Their tongue was as a lute's soft strum, melodious and clear, With words that flowed like honeyed wine to please the listener's ear. Their speech did paint the very air with beauty's tender stroke, Each phrase a line of sonnet sweet, by artful craft evoked.
In philosophy, they found their muse, in beauty's truth so bright, A testament to cosmos’ depth, to interconnected light. Their ethos was of aesthetics, of balance and of care, In each act weighed for beauty's grace, beyond the common fare.
Thus did the Aestheticans live, in pursuit of all things fair, Their lives a work of art complete, beyond mere mortal compare. And hence they ventured forth in space, with harmony in heart, To spread the seeds of beauty's truth, and their aesthetic art.
reply
... and here (silly me) I thought we gonna stay out of politics and religion...lol
reply
I also think so lol
reply
Please read my answers on the other comments. The Renaissance is the epoch of liberation from Church. It could only flourish as of this spirit
reply
How many people died and being enslaved by the church for building this beauty?
reply
Despite all the imperfections of the Catholic Church, it has often served as a very healthy counterbalance. The distinction between "authority" (moral or spiritual authority) and "power" (temporal or political power) is a concept that has deeply influenced the development of Western political thought. Bartolomé de las Casas is a prime example of how authority can act as a critical counterweight to power. In his advocacy for the indigenous peoples of the Americas, de las Casas wielded his moral authority to challenge and resist the abuses of the temporal power held by the Spanish crown and its colonists. In contrast to de las Casas and the Spanish scholastic tradition, which maintained a degree of independence between spiritual authority and political power, in the territories colonized by Protestant powers like England, the union of church and state—the Anglican Church under the monarch’s authority, for instance—often resulted in a blending of authority and power. This merger significantly led to a diminished capacity for internal critique against colonial policies, including slavery and the treatment of indigenous populations.The outcomes are evident today. Latin America is mestizo, with numerous indigenous communities, while in North America the indigenous peoples were systematically exterminated.
reply
Thank You for Your discussion. Maybe it does make sense to deduce from the political will and power the Church had during this epoch and understand this level of art as the exoression of men that just entered the age of conquering the knowledge that the earth isn't the center of a biblical idea. There desire to push frontiers, discover earth as a globe (!) and discover that they exited from a passive metaphysical trauma into an existence of total responsibility that brings risk and opportunity. I call it pride.
reply
Please read my text below. This art has nothing to do with the Church. It's an explosion of self-confidence in the epoch of breaking away from the Vatican's super power.
reply
Iam an cathoiic. interesting point of view. As i view it. Jesus it the ultimate power and vatican is administrer on earth. Power given to them is given by me and by choice not obligation. The holy spirit is the only truth that unite. I hope it will be of some benefit for others
reply
you are biased by church propaganda. There's no such thing as "vatican is administrer on earth". The church was created to ENSLAVE clueless population.
Please search and read how the church (vatican) enslaved the whole world using the papal buls:
  • Papal Bul 1302 – UANM SANCTAM ECCLESIAM
  • Papal Bul 1455 – ROMANUN PONTIFEX
  • Papal Bul 1481 – AETENIS REGIS
  • Papal Bul 1537 – CONCILIO DE TRENTO
Iam an cathoiic.
That translate into "I am a member of a cult and I obey what the boss of the cult says".
reply
If you feel so its ok. Iam not reposnable for your thoughts. I deal with my own.
reply
Let's get back to aesthetics. BTC offers a bridge to monetary perfection. It's the cathedral of the most important economic good mankind needs to flourish. We shouldn't talk gods and if - let's celebrate good ol' Dionysos for providing us with an important good of culture: wine!
reply
I may find agreement on certain matters, and on others, I am also susceptible to error. Once again, I do not hold the Church to be without flaw, for nothing earthly is; particularly in these times—and with the current Pontiff.
reply
Sure its not perfect. I follow the ones is good for me. The holy spirit will guide you how to comply without loosing freedom.
reply
Please read my comments. The Renaissance was a movement of liberation of the individual.
reply
All the views I offer are personal and may well be partial. They have simply seemed timely to me. In any case, I believe aesthetic beauty is beyond all debate 😊
reply
But we have a debate. That 's good. Here we have the peak of sensual aesthetics (IMO) and Bitcoin proves that there is sth. like a spiritual bridge to a bearer digital asset that seems to grow in its importance as times getting rough. How often did we hear Bitcoiners refering to BTC as sth. perfect? And perfection nears the point of aesthetics
reply
Sure. I see perfection as expression of god
reply