The Pantheon of Illustrious Men is simply an outstanding expression of architectural and artistic masterpieces that are being influenced by the political powers of those ancient times. Of all the magnificent manifestations of beauty within the interior of that funerary building, the popular Black Madonna of Madrid clearly stands out from the rest. As scary as the statue may seem initially, its contrasting black color signifies our journey through darkness and the internal process of transformation.
Moreover, as tragic as the deaths of those mentioned political figures were, they've become national heroes and found lasting assurance in that solemn resting place where they can continue to exist even during the afterlife, perhaps in the form of dreams - if there's such a thing as an everlasting consciousness. Nevertheless, their crowning legacies will forever remain in the memories of those who dedicated the construction of that sacred landmark for generations to come.
I also cannot be sure of the existence of something beyond physical death, but I do know that Neurobiology has advanced enough to have good prospects in that regard, in view of the latest discoveries about death, the brain and the human cells and here I leave it. Completely in agreement with his appraisals, except for one thing: the black and moving figure that is seen in the grave of the conservative politician, Eduardo Dato, is not a Black Virgin, but rather that the artist, Benlliure, was supposed to represent a woman mourning (instead of the typical mourners that were represented in medieval sarcophagi) although I, out of romanticism, want to go further and see an allegory to the Angel of Death, the Black Angel. The Black Virgin to which I made references, is Our Lady of Atocha, a Romanesque image from the 12th century, which is preserved next to this Pantheon, in the Basilica (also pre-Romanesque) of Atocha, which I intend to show in a future post to complete, in a way this. As always, thank you very much for her comment and her wise contributions. A cordial greeting.
Yo tampoco puedo tener la seguridad de la existencia de algo más allá de la muerte física, pero sí sé que la Neurobiología ha avanzado lo suficiente como tener buenas perspectivas en ese sentido, en vista a los últimos descubrimientos sobre la muerte, el cerebro y las células humanas y aquí lo dejo. Completamente de acuerdo con sus apreciaciones, salvo por una cosa: la figura negra y conmovedora que se ve en la sepultura del político conservador, Eduardo Dato, no es una Virgen Negra, sino que se supone que el artista, Benlliure, quiso representar una mujer de luto (en lugar de las típicas plañideras que se representaban en los sarcófagos medievales) aunque yo, por romanticismo, quiera ir más allá y ver una alegoría al Ángel de la Muerte, el Ángel Negro. La Virgen Negra a la que hacía referencias, es Nuestra Señora de Atocha, imagen románica del siglo XII, que se conserva al lado de este Panteón, en la Basílica (prerrománica también) de Atocha, que pretendo mostrar en un próximo post para completar, en cierto modo este. Como siempre, muchas gracias por su comentario y sus sabias aportaciones. Un cordial saludo.
Oh, I see, many thanks for the correction and for clarifying my confusion. Although it's not the specific Black Virgin of Our Lady of Atocha as you've mentioned, that statue's physical silhouette resembled a dark-colored madonna which I suppose was the reason for my assumption in the first place. Perhaps because of its artistic representation and the way it has been portrayed over the politician's tomb, I came to believe it was the Holy Lady, not an ordinary mourning woman. Happy Tuesday! Excellent post!