“The only really effective apologia for Christianity comes down to two arguments, namely the saints the Church has produced and the art which has grown in her womb.”—Pope Benedict XVI
The story of painting is one that is immensely rich in meaning, yet its value is all too often hidden from us by the complexities of historians. We must forget the densities of 'history' and simply surrender to the wonder of the story." --Sister Wendy Beckett
I hope that Art for the Liturgical Year can play a small part in restoring appreciation for sacred art and the liturgical calendar.
If you subscribe, you can expect weekly posts which reflect on art as it relates to the feasts, fasts, solemnities, and octaves of the liturgical year.
About me
Studying art has been a hobby of mine ever since I can remember. For the past fifteen years I have taken and taught classes, frequented churches and museums, and collected and read many art books.
I studied Classics and History at Emory University. My thesis, which was on the Roman family, relied heavily on material sources (art). Most of the art I've technically “studied” falls between the Ancient and Baroque periods, so I will mostly share art from these periods on this substack.
While taking art history classes in college, I quickly discovered that a majority of art historians lacked either knowledge or interest in basic theology necessary to understand Catholic art and its role in the liturgy. (There are plenty of exceptions—Elizabeth Lev, David Clayton, Timothy Verdon, Howard Hibbard, Emile Mal, and Sister Wendy are some of my favorites.) Since then, I have wanted to write about art and help others understand the riches of our Catholic cultural heritage.
After college, I completed the John Jay fellowship and then went to teach at a classical school in San Antonio where I incorporated art history in my lessons as much as possible and helped start an art appreciation club.
I finally started writing about art in earnest in 2024 when my husband was deployed and I was at home with our two young children.
With this substack, I hope to put the liturgy, which nourished Western Culture for centuries, back into conversation with the art and saints it inspired.
(I am not a theologian, but I do discuss theology as it relates to paintings. If you spot any errors, please bring them to my attention.)
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