Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of August 24, 1877

Overview

Both worked in their own way and ended the evening studying the Sistine Chapel material together. Their conversation turned to the emotional tones in the imagery, with Richard reading it through moral and religious conflict while she was struck by its varied forms of sorrow and tenderness.

Content

Friday, August 24:

R. works, I, too, in my own way. In the evening we look at the book on the Sistine Chapel; R. finds the Jewish element predominant in it, fanaticism, mourning, hate.

I am struck by the melancholy of sensuousness in the Adam and the Atlantes, unredeemed creatures; the melancholy of intelligence among the prophets; the mourning indignation of the Christ; the sorrowful benevolence of the Mother of God.