1633 The Trial of Galileo Galilei

February 6, 2009

When I feel my day is getting a bit hectic and I’m swimming against the tide, I like to look at this Italian antique oil painting I have in my shop. It is a reproduction of Christiano Banti’s 1857 painting “Galileo Facing the Roman Inquisition.” Mine, unfortunately, is not the original. It is a very old reproduction dated 1880 and was most likely painted by an art student. It’s a bit tattered, which just adds in my opinion, has great colors and interesting subject matter. Looking at it transports me to that time as I try to imagine being in Galileo’s shoes and those black tights. Galileo’s belief in the Copernican System—that the earth is not the center of the universe but rather revolves around the Sun just like all of the other planets—was a bit of a problem. The Church wouldn’t have it. The Roman Catholic Church at the time had a committee called the Inquisition that made sure anyone with contradictory thoughts and ideas would be tried. Of course Galileo had to face the Roman Inquisition and was found guilty of heresy. He was then forced to say that he no longer believed in the Copernican theory and was confined to his villa under house arrest for the rest of his life. The trial of Galileo was in 1633 and the Church formally admits that Galileo was right in 1992.

As I come out of my brief trance and thoughts of Galileo, I can’t help but think that guy was really something. It puts my simple day into perspective after thinking about his days facing the Roman Inquisition and all he was up against. He really tops me in the HECTIC DAY category. All I have to do is travel to Italy, sell antiques, convince my son to eat more vegetables and enjoy my family and friends. Life is good!