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- The information arm of Bo Gritz' Center for Action is the national Newsletter. For more than ten years it was published monthly, but more recently, with the aid of good friend Richard Flowers, it has come out bi-monthly. Below you will find excerpts from past issues, to give you the reader some flavor of it's content.
- Vignettes from
- Past Issues
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HE’S NOT HEAVY, HE’S MY BROTHER
This article is about something all of us have seen so many times we don’t even notice anymore, but after this you will forever see it differently and rejoice in telling others its touching tale.
Back in the 15th Century, in a tiny German village near Nuremberg, lived a family with 18 children! The father, Albrecht Durer, a goldsmith worked endlessly to keep food on the table. Despite their austere conditions, two of his sons had a dream to pursue their talent for art. The boys tossed a coin to see who would work four years in the mines to support the other’s attendance at the academy. Albrecht, Jr. won the toss and went off to Nuremberg, while Albert financed him by working in the mines. Almost immediately Albrecht’s etchings, woodcuts, and oils drew recognition for excellence. By graduation, he was receiving handsome commissions.
Upon return to the village, the Durer family held a festive dinner to celebrate Albrecht’s success. Albrecht rose from his place of honor to offer a toast to his beloved brother for his years of sacrifice. In closing Albrecht said: "Now you can go to Nuremberg and I will take care of you." All heads turned in eager expectation to where Albert sat, tears coursing down his pale face, he was barely able to sob, "No...no...no...no...no!" Albert then arose, and wiping away his tears, held his hands together close to his cheek. Speaking softly, he replied, "Dear brother, working in the mines, the bones in both my hands have been smashed. The arthritis is so bad, I can’t even hold a glass to return your toast. No, brother...for me it is too late."
500-years have now passed. By now Albrecht Durer’s hundreds of masterful portraits, pen and silver-point sketches, watercolors, charcoals, woodcuts and copper engravings hang in every great museum in the world. Odds are that you have a replica in your home of one of his most recognized pieces of art. To honor Albert’s, sacrifice, Albrecht drew his brother’s abused hands with the palm’s together, the thin fingers stretched skyward. He named his drawing "Hands," but the world immediately opened their heart to his powerful work and renamed his tribute of love, "The Praying Hands." Next time you see a copy of his touching creation, remember, no one makes it alone!
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