The New Puritans
Mar 11, 2009
“I am fascinated by religions and in particular their rich imagery and iconography. I find it interesting to combine them with fashion.” — Baldovino Barani
Fashion photographer Baldovino Barani draws upon the rich imagery and iconography of religion for his beautiful fashion photography. This series of photos was inspired by the Puritans and was published in “West East” magazine. The clothing is by designers like Giorgio Armani and from lines like Burberry.
The work of Barani is significant for our discussion of design and religion because it reminds us that religious concepts and beliefs can be very attractive. Religious answers to life’s questions have intellectual integrity and have consistently been the basis for culture.
Francis Schaeffer pointed out in his writings that philosophy and religion ask the same questions. They just come to different answers. And, religion seeks to answer them in a beautiful way.
I have personally read many Puritan writings, and I must say that popular American culture perpetuates a very stereotypical view of the Puritans. In contrast to this, Puritan writings on theology proper and practically lived are truly beautiful. One of my favorite books is The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers published by The Banner of Truth Trust.
Here are images from the portfolio “The New Puritans” by Baldovino Barani.
©2008 Baldovino Barani. Images used with the photographer’s permission. www.baldovinobarani.com
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LOVE-REST IN GOD
My dear Lord,
I depend wholly upon thee,
wean me from all other dependences.
Thou art my all, thou dost overrule all
and delight in me.
Thou art the foundation of goodness,
how can I distrust thee?
how be anxious about what happens to me?
In the light of thy preciousness
the world and all its enjoyments are
infinitely poor:
I value the favor of men no more than pebbles.
Amid the blessings I receive from thee
may I never lose the heart of a stranger.
May I love thee my Benefactor, in all my benefits,
not forgetting that my greatest danger
arises from my advantages.
Produce in me self-despair that will
make Jesus precious to me,
delightful in all his offices,
pleasurable in all his ways,
and may I love his commands
as well as his promises.
Help me to discern between true and false love,
the one consisting of supreme love to thee,
the other not,
the former uniting thy glory and man’s happiness
that they may become one common interest,
the latter disjointing and separating them both,
seeking the latter with neglect of the former.
Teach me that genuine love is different in kind
from that wrought of self-interest,
that such love is a pleasing passion affording
joy to the mind where it is.
Grant me grace to distinguish
between the genuine and the false,
and to rest in thee who art all love.
