The prominent role of saints in the Middle Ages and Renaissance goes under the microscope with a new exhibition opening this month at the Getty Center.
"The Cult of Saints" examines the spiritual practice of devotion to, and inspiration from, holy people presented to the European communities in the previous millennium. Consisting of 26 images --- all gleamed from the Getty's own collection --- the exhibition depicts the importance of saints for inner prayer life and as a cultural mirror of the times.
"The saints offered a much more personal relationship and another avenue for communication with God," says Thomas Kren, curator of manuscripts for the Getty who helped oversee the exhibition along with show curator Kurt Barstow.
The exhibition features artworks from a broad range of devotional and liturgical books --- including prayer and choir books, Bibles and other manuscripts --- from mostly European countries including Germany, Italy and France.
As mediators between God and man, saints were for the people, says Kren, giving them hope in times of need. Saints became known for their special intentions (St. Christopher for travelers) as well as specific cities and/or countries (St. Denis for France).
The exhibition reflects the culture of the Middle Ages by giving glimpses of what prayer was like back then as well as the social nature of the culture --- including what people thought was beautiful.
For example, a miniature from a Flemish book of hours features of a group of virgins who were infused with "the ideals of femininity," explains Kren. "They are usually blond, fair-haired, light skinned, rosy cheeks. Very youthful."
In the image of St. Catherine of Alexandria, the holy woman is depicted in jail because of her refusal to worship the pagan idols of the time. "She is shown being tended to by an angel in this very dramatic scene," says Kren. "Her cell is illuminated by a brilliant light and she is very beautiful and youthful."
Male saints were illustrated with other qualities of piety, sacrifice and generosity. The painting of Anthony Abbot is a striking image first because of its artistry, says Kren.
"This was done in Germany in the early 15th century and is from the great schools of painting that were in Cologne at the time that stressed naturalism and a connection with nature," he says.
But the image is also a spiritual meditation into the charity of the saint who is standing in monastical robes on a pedestal, blessing the infirmed, poor and even animals.
For Kren, organizing and researching the exhibition was lively and fun. "The range of saints and their individual protection qualities is amazing," he says adding that their individual stories of devotion makes saints one of the more "colorful aspects of the religion."
Saints, Kren continues, offered a friendly hand and a familiar image. "They met the needs of the people by creating a family around them," he sums up. "Here was someone who knew what you were going through, who lent support and understood the concerns of daily life." "The Cult of Saints" exhibition at the Getty Center runs through July 16. Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday and Sunday; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday-Saturday. The Getty Center is located at 1200 Getty Center Dr., L.A. Free admission; $7 parking. (310) 440-7300.
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