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Magis Center Blog

Magis Center Blog

Katie Kresser, Ph.D.7 min read

Art for the Ages: Girl With a Pearl Earring

Learn how Girl With a Pearl Earring is the epitome of beauty by expressing God’s creative dynamism and participating in the creative principles of nature.
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Magis Center9 min read

What Draws Us to the Sacred? Mircea Eliade on Hierophany, Myths, and Homo Religiosus

Mircea Eliade found that religion originates from an experience of the sacred common to all. Also common are hierophany, myths, and homo religiosus.
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Katie Kresser, Ph.D.8 min read

Art for the Ages: The Sistine Chapel and Universal Truth

The Sistine Chapel is a Renaissance masterpiece. Here Dr. Kresser seeks to answer a few of the many questions about the great tourist attraction.
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Katie Kresser, Ph.D.7 min read

Art for the Ages: A New Perspective

In her latest 'Art for the Ages' installment, Dr. Kresser looks at different forms of art to warn us against the belief that new is better.
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Katie Kresser, Ph.D.5 min read

Art for the Ages: Human Portraits and Dignity

In a culture obsessed with portraits, Dr. Kresser explores these human portraits as essential tools for recognizing the dignity of the human person.
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Katie Kresser, Ph.D.6 min read

Art for the Ages: The Eyes of a Woman Artist

Dr. Katie Kresser looks at the works of Artemisia Gentileschi—one of the first woman artists in history to enjoy a high-profile professional career.
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Katie Kresser, Ph.D.7 min read

Art for the Ages: St. Francis and the Birth of Renaissance Art

Inspired by her recent trip to Assissi, Italy, Katie Kresser writes St. Francis, St. Clare, Giotto, and (of course) Renaissance Art.
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Katie Kresser, Ph.D.6 min read

Art for the Ages: Michelangelo and Body Image

Continuing her journey of how art from the old masters can provide proof of the human soul, Dr. Kresser explores body image in the works of Michelangelo.
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Katie Kresser, Ph.D.7 min read

Art for the Ages: How the Old Masters are Relevant Today

Katie Kresser embarks on a journey to explore how art from the old masters can provide proof of the human soul and show commonalities among human beings.
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Katie Kresser, Ph.D.10 min read

Aesthetics and Spirituality Conclusion: Rome as Case Study

To conclude her series, Katie Kresser explores Rome, Italy as the convergence of global aesthetic responses to shared spiritual impulses.
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Katie Kresser, Ph.D.10 min read

Aesthetics and Spirituality Part III: Transformation Through Dress

Throughout human history, artisans have created similar objects in response to their cultures’ religious impulses—including transformation through dress.
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Katie Kresser, Ph.D.7 min read

Aesthetics and Spirituality Part V: Idols

Our ancestors' agreement about the spiritual world with the use of idols, globally, can also infer the existence of an immortal soul.
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