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religious art

This Week’s Gospel in Art-The Feast with Simon

christ_s-1Luke 7:36-8:3

The Feast at the Home of Simon, the Pharisee

Here are three images of this week’s gospel story from Luke—the story of dinner with Simon, the Pharisee.

The 18th century French artist, Pierre Subleyras, gives us a great deal to look at and ponder (1737). It is fun to see the depiction of a rich feast with all the hubbub of a modern meet and greet. There are servants, musicians, children, and even a dog nibbling at the scraps.  Note the poignant side-show on the left.

39religiPeter Paul Rubens, a century earlier, has the action front and center. Both artists have Jesus and company seated at western table. It is likely the real feast table was closer to the ground.

Since the biblical account is not very clear about just how many people attended this dinner party, here is a simpler depiction (below). My goodness, is that a Catholic friar in attendance? Could it be Martin Luther! And they were worried about the sinful woman intruding! Next time, hire a bouncer!

It’s by Dieric Bouts, from the 1440s. (It’s not Martin Luther in the painting! He came along a few years later!)

1simon

12 Jun 2013

The Prodigal Son in Art

The Story of the Prodigal Son is visually rich. Artists through the ages have loved it.

Prodigal-barbieri

Artist Giovanni Barbieri focuses on the three key characters in the story. (early 17th century)

Part of the fascination with the story is the multiple points of view. It is easy to focus on the Father and Son and occasionally the second son.

This artist, Giovanni Barbieri, does this beautifully. We have little to notice except the gestures of the three key figures.

But many artists recognize that there are more players in the story. The Prodigal Son is worn down by many bad relationships. Some artists focus on this broader interpretation as seen in two paintings below by James Tissot (c. 1880).

One concentrates on the Return, the other on the Leaving.

Prodigal-Tissot2880.jpg!Blog

In this retelling of the story, there is a mother or sister!

Prodigal-Tissot

James Tissot tells the story with the involvement of the whole community.


prodigal-son-driven-out-1660.jpg!BlogArtists enjoy taking us to the depths of the son’s despair. Look at this painting which shows the son’s rejection by the society he so longed to own.

And then there is the scene with the hogs. What an image of despair!

frostad-prodigal-son-turning-point

There is plenty of emotion to explore whether it is in the selfish leaving, the desperate squandering, or the pathetic, yet joyful return.

Look below at the treatment by Rembrandt. Focus on the story told just in the depiction of the son’s feet.

prodigal-Rembrandt copy

prodigal

It is easy to re-interpret the story through contemporary eyes. Each depiction above shows the culture and times of the artist. This painting by an African artist is no different.

Finally, a simple line drawing can be as moving as a full-color mural.

How would you draw or sculpt the Parable of the Prodigal Son?

prodigal-son=plain

06 Mar 2013

What Does the Devil Look Like?

Temptation-StMarkBasilicaThe Temptation of Christ in Art

What does the Devil look like? The answer is probably “more like us than we want to believe.”

The Devil is a Woman!We like the idea that we can recognize the Devil. We create a visual vocabulary so that we know the devil when we see him (or her). Isaac Louis in the 1600s shows a female devil tempting Christ.

There are centuries of art depicting the devil that engages Christ in the desert with horns, wings (the fallen angel) and a tail. The devil is wicked; anyone can tell just by looking.

The art above the headline shows the three scenes of temptation as depicted in St. Mark’s Basilica. It is straightforward in telling the three encounters with the Devil.

Most religious art becomes sparser in detail in the modern era as is evident in last month’s religious art post about the Transfiguration. Nevertheless, here are two very complex and contemporary depictions that are fascinating in detail. The triptych at the end of this post was found on the web about five years ago. I believe it was by an Episcopalian artist. Details could not be found now.

Temptation James JanknegtThe second is by James B. Janknegt, a contemporary religious artist from Texas. The complexity of this depiction is fascinating. Study it. It was painted in 1990.

The devil is not as easily recognized and the desert is the world we know so well.

What does your desert look like? 

How would you draw or paint the Devil?temptationtriptych

12 Feb 2013