10/06/2023
🇮🇹 John visited the remains of the "Abbey at Monte Cassino" during his travels to Rome. He of course sketched and painted what he saw, but, the most interesting part of this painting, is in the story that John wrote on the back!
The Abbey at Monte Cassino was almost completely destroyed during WWII in February of 1944, and they did not begin rebuilding it until the early 50’s, after John had already returned home.
His story on the back of his painting reads:
“First Sketched on route to Monte Cassino, Italy in the summer of 1950.
After the tumult, when the dust has settled and the smoke has cleared, sometimes there re-mains a lone, stubborn spire that refuses to topple.
This spire pointing heavenward (Just as man’s better ideas point heavenward), reminds us that life work of man is never completely destroyed. That an idea can be squelched and trampled but it will not die!
Some will say, destroy a man and you destroy his idea? No! The idea, if it has merit, will be born again, or carried on, in the mind of a new man.
So, with the spire that didn’t topple, it is a sign of hope. Man will return, clean the ashes of war, and build again.”
Isn’t it incredible that John wrote this in 1950, even before they began rebuilding this historic landmark?! It's as if he knew the people would come together and rebuild this incredible piece of history! Pope Paul VI consecrated the rebuilt Basilica on October 24, 1964, 14 years after John’s visit!
🇮🇹 Make your reservations now at Valentour's Family Restaurant and Pub for October 18th for our "Tour of Italy" and to see the finished painting, "The Remains of Bastion Cassino"!
