© Jeannette D’Souza 2025
Welcome to my blog 3- paintings in the trace of Christ, in this part I have continued the story of Jesus from the previous 2 blogs by collating as many photos of paintings relevant to the narration.
It commences with Jesus leaving home to start His mission on teaching the gospel, followed by His teachings in parables and His miracles thus capturing the stories around His life.
Hope you enjoy the blog, wishing all visitors a blessed Lenten season. 🙏🏼
A voice of one calling In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God (Isaiah 40:3)
St. John the Baptist preached on the banks of the river Jordan baptising people and asking them to repent for their sins. He lived in the wilderness, wore camel-skin tunic with a fastening band around his waist and lived on locusts and honey. His life was an inspiration to many followers, even perhaps the very first followers who thought differently about faith and later went on to follow Jesus. As a fore-bearer St John spoke of Jesus proclaiming…. – I baptize you with water for repentance, but after me will come One more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire( Mathew 3:11)
St John’s humility in service and faithfulness as the messenger bear a powerful message of faith in action!
The artist Bartolomé Esteban Murillo has brought such a beautiful biblical imagery to life, the expressions of complete surrender to the call from above is poetically captured. His use of warm deep colours and shadows in the foreground with a mysterious hazy background lend this painting a mystic aura. This painting arrived in England in the 1780s and for a short while was owned by the artist Thomas Gainsborough.
A heart-rendering scene of ‘a weeping mother Mary watching her son take leave of her’, indeed a rare scene. Although this subject is not recorded in the Gospels however it sombrely reflects on the anguished thoughts of Mary, perhaps she remembers Simeon’s words echo over(and a sword shall pierce your heart) and expects that moment to befall sooner…
The artist Correggio portrays a vulnerable moment of sadness and awaiting misery with great emotions. The mood of the scene is heightened by the grim background and a desolate dark foreground, it intensifies the distressing nature of the parting scene.
Mother Mary is supported either by Martha or Mary or even Mary Magdalene, which remains a mystery. St. John is seen standing behind Christ although he has no representing symbols around him.
It could be an earliest surviving painting of the artist Correggio, yet it conveys a powerful sense for atonement during Lenten reflections. ✨
Jesus heals the paralytic man (John 5: 2..) while three of His apostles- maybe Peter, John and James witness the miracle. Jesus reaches out giving love and mercy depicted in gestures, it encompasses the unparalleled compassion of the Saviour for us!
In the background, picturesquely painted is the pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem, described as being near the Sheep Gate and surrounded by 5 covered porticoes borne by magnificent columns.
The sick are seen surrounding the pool, many would have wanted our Lord to pass that way, and they might have whispered ‘Son of David have pity on me’… blessed was the way He passed and blessed the place He stood upon. Throughout history the pool was used for ritualistic bathing, and disabled people also gathered to dip in the pool with yearning to be miraculously healed.
Watching this painting a hymn came to mind-
Healer, heal me, Cleanse my soul
Saviour touch me and make me whole
I come into Your Presence to seek refuge in You
You are my rock, my strength, Saviour Make me whole
Healer, heal me, Cleanse my soul
Saviour touch me and make me whole
Be merciful to me O Lord, Heal my pain
Take away the sadness Lord, Fill me with your joy!
The artist Murillo painted in total 6 such works illustrating the acts of charity, they were made for the church of the Confraternity of the Caridad in Seville.
Jesus taught in parables as we know, this parable of the Good Samaritan stands out prominently to me because even after 2000 years it relevantly points in reflection of how it could help our world of today. Since I love this parable a lot I have taken the relevant complete extract from the bible as below.
(Luke- 10; 25-37)- On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life? ‘What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
“You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”
But the man wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii (an early Roman currency) and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’
“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
This introspective parable draws on a universal theme of love, kindness and generosity to all even strangers and it is one of my favourite ones.
The artist Bassano brought to life a beautiful teaching of Jesus, its very essence poured into the semblance of the 2 subjects in the foreground, and the rugged ground that intensifies the mood of the scene. Jacopo Bassano painted his native city of Bassano in the distance under a misty dawn sky. It reflects his rural environment and the local people- the rustic character of the scene is typical of his work.
Jesus and his disciples were on their way and came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what He said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made for the guest. She came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10; 38-42)
The artist Velazquez draws on the story with striking details – in the upper right Martha in shown complaining to Christ that she was doing all the work while her sister Mary sat at the feet of Jesus listening to His teachings, in the foreground in a contemporary fashion Martha is depicted resentfully working in her kitchen. l
The artist Velazquez meticulously portrays the culinary details and expressions of the fore figures lending us a devout narration , he captures the mundane life and the longings to move away from them into the spiritual world. Often in life there are distractions crowding the ‘mind and heart’s sphere’, it may take over everything including peace, faith, hope and even love thus dismissing the convictions of the soul.
Jesus loved the siblings Mary, Martha and Lazarus….. and as they opened their hearts and home to Him they were drawn close to Jesus’ heart!
‘’Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” (Mark 12; 17)
The religious leaders often connived to bring about the downfall of Jesus because deep in their hearts they knew that He was the One and, He spoke the truth. On this occasion they asked him if it was lawful to pay taxes to the emperor or not. It was a tricky question – should Jesus say ‘yes’ then it would make Him unpopular with His own people as they were under the rule of Caesar’s Empire, should He say ‘no’ then He would be arrested for going against the empire.
Yet Jesus knew their hypocrisy (how their mindMark 12; 15-17). “Why are you trying to trap me?” He asked. “Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” They brought the coin, and He asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”
“Caesar’s,” they replied.
Then Jesus said to them, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.”
The ageing artist Titian draws out the scene with magnetic charm of loose brush work, with deep intensity of pigments red and blue which are symbolical of Christ’s sacrifice and passion thus giving it a contemplative mood. As the denarius (old Roman silver currency) is being presented Jesus point’s upwards meaning- Give complete Loyalty to God!, such a powerful teaching by Jesus.… should the world perceive this, then hypocrisy would loose at the truth of the matter.
Titian in his later years applied colours substantially to both secular and religious subjects. This painting was sent to King Philip Il in 1568, a devout catholic and at the time ruled the largest of empires. The painting was presented when the king had lost interest in mythologies and moved towards religious paintings.
It was Passover and Jesus travelled to Jerusalem, he entered the crowded temple of Jerusalem which was packed with pilgrims for the Passover ritual and celebrations. Traders went off shouting exchanging currencies and merchants sold their goods calling buyers, while the sacrificial offerings were also sold on together with livestock and there was much clamouring. It pained Jesus to see this sad transformation from a prayerful sacred place…
Jesus makes a whip from cords and uses them to drive away the cattle and sheep, He empties the coin exchangers coffers and overturns their tables and asks the pigeon sellers to take the birds out.
He is overwhelmed to see the degradation of the holy temple- (John 2; 13…) ‘’Take these things out of here, Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!”
The disciples remember the prophecy, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” The Jews then said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking of the temple of his body.
After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.
The artist El Greco literally ‘The Greek’ his real name- Doménikos Theotokópoulos, was born in Crete and spent several years in Venice studying the master’s works, and the Venetian technique is evident in this work. El Greco sets this charging scene full of energy with vibrancy, incorporating vivid colours besides the dynamic setting of subjects and animated expressions.
Standing there fixed I watched the painting… taking in this powerful sight that sets the mood for lent, its focus was on the soul and the need for reconciling the connection to God, all brilliantly conveyed.
El Greco later moved to Spain and settled there where he painted this piece, the buildings in the background resemble Venetian palaces.
‘’Should she be stoned to death, as required by the ancient law of the Hebrews? ….and Jesus replied
‘’He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her’ (John 8:7)
This was another entrapment for Jesus, and the scribes and Pharisees sought to get him…. However the Lord looked upon the adulteress with mercy and yet without defying the law showed forgiving love.
From afar at first glance this painting seemed subdued yet as I moved closer into it in daylight I found breathtaking details. Notice the demeanour of the woman kneeling in total surrender, even her veil is held by the guard as a sign for subjugation. The scene intensifies in drama of expressions and gestures from especially the elder accusing the adulteress, by the spiteful accusers confining her, the inquisitive bystanders ready to cast the stone and so on….
The theme might help to focus on this Lenten journey- reflecting deep within the yearning for God’s mercy, His love through Jesus holds on.
The great artist Rembrandt draws on the theme wonderfully creating a wholesome narration, he uses light at the centre where the action is found while the foreground is dark shadows gives the scene its emotional tome, and the encompassing details further away add enigmatic drama.
One of the most prominent woman mentioned more than a few times in the New Testament of the bible, Mary Magdalene is believed to have come from Magdala a fishing town on the western shore of the sea of Galilee. She was probably wealthy and was said to have been possessed by 7 demons and lived a sinful life. Yet after meeting Jesus she is healed as the Lord shows her great mercy and love. Mary changes into a new woman of great faith, moving on later in deeper faith as an evangelist and a proclaimer of the good news! Soon after her conversion she begins supporting Jesus in His ministries with resources, and often accompanies His group of apostles travelling through the towns around the Sea of Galilee.
The artist Paolo Veronese has drawn out this moment of conversion of Mary Magdalene at a temple with graceful stances and elegant interpretation. Notice how Mary is overwhelmed upon seeing Jesus and listening to His teachings, she kneels in absolute surrender of herself. Her neckline jewellery falling off is a symbol of possessions being renounced to a life of piety and service. The lady supporting Mary points toward Jesus who is gesturing the sign of mercy and pardon. The wealthy onlookers share a feeling of awe at the sight of this mysterious conversion and evolution of her faith. This painting conveys a soft feeling of reconciliation with the fullness of spiritual light!
Although this subject in the painting is not mentioned in the bible it helps understand the purpose of conversion, of growing in spiritual grace and thus strengthening the deep connection with Jesus.
Mary of Magdala- Mary Magdalen is identified by her jar of ointment, she is immersed in scriptures. Her renunciation from worldly life to that of simplicity and piety are depicted quite poetically. A serenity exudes her countenance to which nothing can compare, the tranquility she bears in loosing herself in Jesus…
The artist Roger van der Weyden used brilliant colours with an introspective narration, and it would have been great to see the whole painting,…however this painting is the only surviving fragment from the right side of an altar. The actual altarpiece would have had the Virgin and child Jesus at the centre with accompanying saints flanking its sides, hence the other 2 figures in the above painting seemed to be cut off.
This painting strongly reflects the Lenten season of repentance, sacrifice, reconciliation and hope. Through the solemnity of Christ’s passion, death, and the culminating triumphant resurrection we are given great mercy!
With this reflective theme I end this section of my blog here, I hope you liked it.🙏🏼
The next blog with focus on the passion and death of Christ.
Lenten Peace and blessings to all viewers. 🙏🏼💫
1st March 2025
© Jeannette D’Souza 2025
