Reconstruction of the temple of Jerusalem. From William of Tyre, Histoire d’Outremer.

France, Rouen, XVe siècle Artiste : Maître de l’Échevinage

Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, Département des manuscrits Français 2629, folio 17

1276

Sweat and stones

songs and joy

the roaring sounds

of promise

of hope

a harmonious symphony

full of colors

as bright as the skies

as light as the day

comrades

neighbors

adjoined

in awe of a beauty

a beauty that lies before them

praise

exalt

glorify His name

for it is with Gods hand

a palace was built

with His touch

the beauty was made

with His heart

the song was song

alas lies here

a temple among a nation

an empire among a God

a structure of gold

with a face of something more

—Nicole Schneider

The Lamentation

Master of the Codex of Saint George
(Italian, active Florence, ca. 1315–35)

Disbelief

This cannot be farewell, it simply cannot

For us – FOR US, he gave up his life

And we? What have we sacrificed?

His life – we took for granted

Now we grieve, we mourn

We scream from the hills

We scream from the mountains

What have we done? What has happened?

Our sins will haunt us everyday

The thought of his sacrifice

For US? This can’t be so

Come back, would you kindly?

Madonna and Child with Donors

Giovanni da Milano
(Italian, born Lombardy, active Florence 1346–69)

The deceased have risen

With God the Son and Mother

They bend down and praise the Holy Family

At level with the Son

The Child offers his hand,

Clasping the man’s hand in His.

In death, as in life, He is gracious.

All are equal here.

The Mother looks on with loving eyes

Her hand holding on to a lily,

An almost unnoticeable crown on her head.

Neither more grandeur nor glorious:

The Holy Family, a welcoming pair.

-Amanda Puitiza

Madonna and Child with Nine Angels

– Segna di Buonaventura, 1315