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Pope Saint Paul VI (3 April 1969): “Although the text of the Roman Gradual—at least that which concerns the singing—has not been changed, the Entrance antiphons and Communions antiphons have been revised for Masses without singing.”

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Views from the Choir Loft

The Informed Aesthetic

Gwyneth Holston · October 31, 2013

246 f1 Figure 1 VERYONE HAS the responsibility to cultivate an informed aesthetic. Just as an informed conscience is built on the natural law written on our hearts, an informed aesthetic should be built on the natural aesthetic we are born with. Certainly we can agree that a sunset is beautiful, but only an intelligent appreciation for craftsmanship and poetry will allow us to judge whether the painting of a sunset is beautiful. Alice von Hildebrand wrote in the latest issue of Latin Mass Magazine (“Dietrich von Hildebrand Unified by Truth, Goodness, and Beauty Part II,” Vol. 22, No. 3, Fall 2013), “How right Plato was when he said that a child exposed to beauty will, later in life, instinctively reject anything ugly or vulgar.” We must surround our children and ourselves with beauty so that we may have an ordered response to the world around us.

According to 19th century art critic John Ruskin, “He who has followed up these natural laws of aversion and desire, rendering them more and more authoritative by constant obedience, so as to derive pleasure always from that which God originally intended should give him pleasure, and who derives the greatest possible sum of pleasure from any given object, is a man of taste.” In other words, it is to our own benefit that we cultivate an appreciation for art. The joy derived from encountering the visual arts becomes deeper and more nuanced as we grow.

It is especially important for Catholics become fluent in art because it is a universal language of the Church, subordinate only to Latin. The symbolism of various colors and motifs is remarkably consistent over the history of the Church yet endlessly fascinating because it is embellished by every culture and every epoch touched by the Gospel.

Reflect upon the symbol of the goldfinch. Because it eats thistle seeds, it is traditionally associated with Christ’s passion. Raphael placed this small bird in the hands of St. John the Baptist and the Christ child in his painting Madonna of the Goldfinch (figure 1). Via this poetic device, the viewer can intimate the love that Christ has for His cousin, and by extension all of humanity, as He willingly reaches for the suffering that is offered to Him. Mary places a gentle hand on St. John’s plump shoulder as the exchange takes place. It is with her patience and resignation that we must embrace our own sufferings. Without an understanding of the meaning of the goldfinch, the painting is reduced to a charming yet superficial group of figures in a landscape.

246 f3 Figure 3 — Click to Enlarge THE ARTIST DOES NOT simply take a snapshot of the physical world. Instead, he acts as a lens through which the eye is focused. Let us consider one of the most important metaphors within all of art: light. Analyzed and discussed by both physicists and theologians, the problem is left to artists to bring the physical and spiritual worlds together.

Rogier van der Weyden understood the importance of light. This master of the Northern Renaissance created paintings that glow like jewels. This is due to the fact that he painstakingly applied layer after layer of transparent glazes. If we examine a ray diagram (figure 2), it is evident that a transparent layer of varnish effectively “captures” an angled ray of light and compels it to strike the paint surface again and again, thus heightening the effect of illumination on the surface of the painting. Van der Weyden’s love of light was not only limited to his meticulous technique. He also showed his affection for and understanding of light in the details he represented. Each and every tear wept by those at the foot of the cross includes a reflection, a cast shadow, and even the light refracted within (figures 3 and 4).

I think that it is only after appreciating the physical properties of light that we can understand it within the context of supernatural metaphor. In its broadest sense, it is only by divine illumination that beauty can be perceived. Anyone who creates or considers art must always have the words of Christ before him, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me, walketh not in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12).

246 f4 Figure 4 — Click to Enlarge When I ask people for their opinion on a particular work of art, I often hear the response, “I’m not really an artsy person.” Most people don’t feel “qualified” to give their opinion on artistic merit. I wonder if this avoidant answer is due to the fact that our modern world glories in specialization. By middle school, most children have self-identified as “bookish” or “athletic” or “a math person.” The problem with embracing such a narrow label is that it gives the individual permission to be perfectly ignorant of everything beyond his chosen scope. It is a stance that is both simplistic and lacking in balance in our complex world.

Anyone can learn the basics of art history and art theory which provide the groundwork for an informed aesthetic. To begin developing a formed aesthetic immediately, go to your local library and check out one art book. Visit an art museum on a free day. Pause for a moment at a particularly lovely illustration in your missal. Just as beauty of Gregorian chant reveals itself neume by neume, the enchantment of art reveals itself picture by picture. If we allow the power of beauty to penetrate our hearts, God knows what we will begin to see.

Suggested reading:

The Story of Painting by Sister Wendy Beckett

The Classic Point of View by Kenyon Cox

Twilight of Painting by R. H. Ives Gammell

History of Art by H.W. Janson

The Lives of Artists by Vasari

Treatise on Painting by da Vinci

“The Decay Of Lying – An Observation” essay by Oscar Wilde

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Gwyneth Holston

Gwyneth Holston is a sacred artist who works to provide and promote good quality Catholic art. Her website is gwynethholston.com. Read more.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    “Music List” • 22nd in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Some have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 31 August 2025, which is the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are conveniently stored at the spectacular feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “The Worm That Dieth Not”
    My pastor asked me to write a column for our parish bulletin with reflections on the sacred liturgy and church music. In my most recent article, I discuss “The Worm That Dieth Not.” At this website, you can access it conveniently; simply scroll down to the one dated 31 August 2025.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    A Nice Hymn In Spanish
    In my humble opinion, this is a really beautiful hymn in Spanish. If I practice diligently, I’ll be able to pronounce all the words properly. If you’re someone who’s interested in obtaining a melody only version (suitable for your congregational ORDER OF WORSHIP) you can steal that from this.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Solemn “Salve Regina” (Chant)
    How many “S” words can you think of using alliteration? How about Schwann Solemn Salve Score? You can download the SOLEMN SALVE REGINA in Gregorian Chant. The notation follows the official rhythm (EDITIO VATICANA). Canon Jules Van Nuffel, choirmaster of the Cathedral of Saint Rumbold, composed this accompaniment for it (although some feel it isn’t his best work).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Pope Pius XII Hymnal?
    Have you ever heard of the Pope Pius XII Hymnal? It’s a real book, published in the United States in 1959. Here’s a sample page so you can verify with your own eyes it existed.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Hybrid” Chant Notation?
    Over the years, many have tried to ‘simplify’ plainsong notation. The O’Fallon Propers attempted to simplify the notation—but ended up making matters worse. Dr. Karl Weinmann tried to do the same in the time of Pope Saint Pius X by replacing each porrectus. You can examine a specimen from his edition and see whether you agree he complicated matters. In particular, look at what he did with éxsules fílii Hévae.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

On 26 July 1916—during the German occupation of Belgium—a student choir led by Van Nuffel performed his setting of the psalm “Super flumina Babylonis” in Saint Rumbold’s Cathedral. The text and the musical setting very aptly expressed the depressed and rebellious mood of the population. The acclaim was enormous, and it laid the foundation for Van Nuffel’s formation of the Saint Rumbold’s choir.

— Unknown

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