|
Notre Dame Collection
In 1879,
Father Sorin , founder of the University of Notre Dame, was in Montreal
about to set sail for Europe. When he heard of the great fire which
had destroyed the main college building, he returned only to find the
heart of the University in ruins and the community in despair. Father Sorin's pledge to Notre Dame, which has often been quoted "If it were all
gone, I should not give up" , serves as a continuing source of inspiration
and is the essence of the spirit of Notre Dame.
 "It
is the source of inspiration which has compelled me to the challenge of
depicting the spirit of the mystique of Notre Dame Football through the
following twenty two paintings. These paintings are educational
mirrors which reflect the History of Notre Dame Football. "
~ Steven Csorba |
"
Csorba's approach in executing his work is rooted in variation of
mid-fourteenth century are form, known as retable, which was introduced into
the Catholic Church under the Aragonese influence when Spain was the
dominant European power under the rule of Catholic monarchs, Ferdinand and
Isabella. Historically , the retable was created for the altar as an
object of teaching and devotion, as well as demonstration of the church's
wealth and power. Many were generous gold grounds and embossing, rich
patterns in raised, glided stucco and luxuriant renderings of fabrics.
These altar-like paintings may be an appropriate format for Csorba to
present his collage retable's of Our Lady's tough guys seen through news
photos enshrouded with the myths and colorful reputations of their coaches.
"
— Reilly
Rhodes
Rielly Rhodes is past Director and Chief Curator
(1989-1993) of the National Art of Museum of Sport |
