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Da Vinci’s lauded “Savior of the World”—
Commissioned by the King- Louis of France, *
Entombed for years by paint but now unfurled
While few respected experts look askance.
The work of Leonardo does impress—
Effects of soft sfumato on the face
Where edges fade and softly evanesce
Into an atmospheric interface.
Hypnotic is His gaze where one could drown
In placid lakes of peaceful innocence.
He sees into the heart where fear is found—
Forgiveness is the gift He does dispense.
He holds the orb, the non-refracting glass
Which may suggest the world that we adore
And fill with all the treasures we amass
Is but an empty shell and nothing more.
But follow Him and let Him lead the way
Beyond the hell of hatred’s boggy dream
Through eyes that see past bloody yesterdays
To deep within where innocence is seen.
Restored at last from paint that did disguise
The love Da Vinci painted in those eyes.
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*Thought to be commissioned by King Louis XII of France.
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Sandi Christie is a medical technician who lives in Florida. She has published two works of poetry related to A Course in Miracles: Miracles Fall Like Drops of Rain, and Lilies of Forgiveness.
This is very, very beautiful and a joy to read!
Thank you so much for your kind words Joe!
You make me feel guilty, Sandi. I live 7 miles away from this painting and my eldest daughter keeps urging me to visit the Louvre, Abu Dhabi, with her.
Seems you’ve given me no choice – however, I’ll be able to sound clever by quoting the gist of your poem when we come upon ‘The Saviour of the World’.
Thanks for the lovely read.
Paul, I am excited for you and envious too, as I am quite certain I will never make it to the Louvre, Abu Dhabi to see this painting— how lucky you are. An excellent suggestion from your daughter. Thank you as well for your nice comment.
A beautiful expression of the painting with a clear
direction to the Supernatural in the 2nd verse. All verses are a clear call to praise. Thank you for writing & posting.
Jd, thank you for reading and for your thoughtful comment!
Sandi, a joy to read and to learn more of this controversial artwork. I can only hope that it is not languishing in the hold of some Oil Sheik’s floating gin Palace.
It’s in the Louvre Museum in Abu Dhabi. My daughter’s just booked tickets for us to go and see it.
Jeff, I heard at one time that it was floating on board a Saudi Prince’s ship, and I was very happy to learn that it is now on display at the Louvre, Abu Dhabi where others can see this magnificent painting too. Thank you for taking the time to comment!
Sandi, I also really enjoyed reading this heartfelt poem which beautifully connects art and faith. I especially like the lines “Through eyes that see past bloody yesterdays/To deep within where innocence is seen.” You’ve captured something very special.
Brian, I think DaVinci captured something very special in this painting. Having grown up in a very religious Catholic family and attending years of Catholic school, I have seen many renditions of Jesus, not to mention all the artists that have attempted to paint their own versions of the Salvator Mundi. I have never seen any painting of Jesus that moved me the way that this painting does. He captured an archetypal essence of the Divine that I have never seen captured before. Thank you for your kind comments!
And also, Brian, heartfelt congratulations on your first-place poetry win— Cynthia did a fine job judging! I’ve seen poetry contests on other sites where the winners leave you scratching your head in wonderment of how any judge could believe such a poem was worthy of an award, but that is not the case here. Your poem was amazing, and I was glad to see you win! Thank you for sharing your award-winning poetry with us here! I learn a great deal by reading the works of poets like you!
Thank you for your very kind words, Sandi. And I fully understand your reaction to da Vinci’s Christ. I had a very similar awe (still do!) in the presence of Michelangelo’s La Pieta at the Vatican. Once such an artwork captures you — it’s forever.
Sandi, I like this ekphrastic poem, especially the lines; ” Hypnotic is His gaze where one could drown/In placid lakes of peaceful innocence”. The closing couplet draws everything together beautifully and perfectly. Thank you!
Susan, thank you so much for taking the time to read it and for your kind, thoughtful comments, and congratulations on your poetry win, which of course was no surprise! Your meticulously precise and creative “word-magic” in your poems never fails to amaze and delight. I have no doubt people will be enjoying your poetry as one of the “poetry greats” 200 years from now. You raise the bar and inspire as well! Thank you for sharing your poetry with us; novice poets like me can learn a lot from poets like you!