#fall semester starts in two weeks do we think I can churn out an oil painting before then

[jamlessjj]

For the past 24 hours I have not been able to stop thinking about how these images remind me of tenebrism, a style of art/painting that dramatically engulfs the subject in a setting predominantly composed of complete darkness (like chiaroscuro on steroids... jamlessjj goes one day without mentioning chiaroscuro: impossible challenge). In these paintings, it is like the outside world falls away as a single source of searching light isolates, or perhaps is itself emitted from, some kind of profound emotional experience the subjects are going through or sharing.

I know there is a quote floating around somewhere from one of U2's members that mentions how light/illumination/the idea of light/searching for light is a common theme in the band's songwriting & composing processes, so in that respect the style of these photos is pretty relevant but ANYWAY I can feel a tangent coming on soooo...

Right, so LIKE. This is the vibe Bono and The Edge are bringing to the function:

"The Inspiration of Saint Matthew" by Caravaggio (x) but like also maybe this is Bono and The Edge writing music.

"The Taking of Christ" (once again) by Caravaggio (x) but tell me this isn't actually just Bono and The Edge during "Until The End Of The World" in the above photos (and also "You lead me on with those innocent eyes / You know I love the element of surprise / In the garden I was playing the tart / I kissed your lips and broke your heart" from the song's second verse etc etc).

"Still Life of Flowers in a Glass Vase on a Marble Ledge" by Rachel Ruysch (x) except with the way these flowers are alight I'm thinking about the whole "Edge is the silence inside every noise. He's the light inside the paint" (Surrender, p.60) thing again.

"Mary Magdalen in Ecstasy" by (guess who) Caravaggio (x) BUT ALSO--

I read up on this painting briefly and have so many thoughts about it in relation to the frameworks U2 tend to write music in, like how some of Bono's lyrics dually address spirituality&religious themes and sexuality, but I cannot be writing an essay right now.

Moral of the story: Bono and The Edge Doing Their Thing during the elevation tour would have driven a centuries-old tenebrism enthusiast into a coma.

As a musician myself, here is to hoping that one day I can perform in such a way that makes the rest of the world fall away :)

Is it just gig performance or foreplay? Are they arousing each other? Or is it just my dirty mind?😋

Bono & The Edge/Elevation Tour, Arnhem, Netherlands, Agust, 2001.

📷 Paul Bergen and Peter Pakvis/Getty Images