Masterpiece

The well-known art conservationist, Roberta Lapucci, had recently written a book and was sharing her experience of discovering an original Caravaggio while visiting Malta. One of the panelists said that “genius sleeps within the materials.”

Afterwards, we talked about the processes of conservation—how carefully the outer layers of soot and dirt must be taken away to uncover the masterpiece.

We decided that people are carefully concealed masterpieces. They’re often very busy; never really taking the time to uncover significant details or aspects of themselves.They successfully keep everything hidden.

This song uses the conservation process as a metaphor for carefully uncovering our own best Self—uncovering our inner world.

Music

Lyrics

Within, covered over with age
There may be hidden under the dust
Beneath the crackled layers of paint
Sometimes there sleeps a masterpiece

Found out by chance
A glimpse of color never expected
Obscured, barely there
Something anyone could miss

Years of candle light
Leaving traces of smoke and wax
A closer look reveals
Not a copy, but real

Take a closer look inside
Where the masterpiece hides

What if, just by looking within
You find that you are one of a kind

Beneath the façade
A glimpse of subtle color detected
Narrowly hidden from view
Hardly anyone could miss
This Masterpiece

Credits

From Masterpiece, track released 01 February 2010
Cheryl Martlage – Lyrics and vocals
Emerson Martlage – Music, guitar and vocals
Mr Toad’s San Francisco – Mastering
Inspiration – Roberta Lapucci, SACI Florence, Italy