Wonderful commentary. I really like Caravaggio and it has bothered me that so many focus on his shortcomings. Clearly he could not paint the way he did without being God inspired. I wish people would focus on how he opened up and filled in some of the mysteries of the Bible moments he depicted.
Love how you focused on how matter isn’t ipso facto evil and that the Divine often uses matter to draw us to Him and—especially through the Sacraments—impart grace. Christianity isn’t a mere ethereal affair. As the line in John’s Gospel goes, “Verbum caro factum est et habitavit in nobis.” The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.
A wonder-filled post, Caravaggio is one of my all time favourites. If he had been born today I’m sure he would have been a film or theatrical director, his paintings have such strong stage and lighting direction, they truly look like a stopped frame from a movie or play. The emotion pours out of his works, you FEEL as if you are there as a participant, rather than like his contemporaries an observer. Your essay was a joy to read, thank you so very much. God Bless 🙏
Thank you! Caravaggio is one of my favorites too. That is a great point! Caravaggio was a master of light and has had a huge influence on the world of film, especially film noir.
In the Eastern Church, sometimes Holy Icons get their own Feast Day. ☦️ ⛲ 🕊️Today, 7/3/2024AD, is the Commemoration of the Holy MILK-GIVER Icon of the Theotokos of Hilander. This Holy Icon traveled from the St Saba the Sanctified Monastery near Jerusalem to the Holy Mountain of Athos ⛪ 🏔️ 🌊 ⚓ 🇷🇸 about 800yrs ago. 😌 HAPPY FEAST! Most Holy Theotokos save us! Lord Jesus Christ, Incarnate God-Man, have mercy on us! ☀️🌙✨🌐 🌴🔥 ♥️ 🕯️📿 📖 ✍🏼
Thank you for sharing this beautiful post. It reminds me of the fourth stanza of St. Thomas Aquinas’ “Adoro te Devote, “ as translated my Gerard Manley Hopkins:
I am not like Thomas, wounds I cannot see,
But can plainly call thee Lord and God as he;
Let me to a deeper faith daily nearer move,
Daily make me harder hope and dearer love.
Thomas’s incredulity gave birth to belief.
Saint Thomas, pray for us.
Caravaggio is a master of a visceral drama that has ever plunged its fingers into my soul. Three years ago I read Andrew Graham-Dixon's biography, "Caravaggio: A Life Sacred and Profane”. My love for Caravaggio’s work and that Graham-Dixon’s biography gave birth to a poem. If you wish to read it, it can be found at:
Beautiful connection! Thank you for sharing the poem. I really enjoyed reading your poetic response to Graham-Dixon’s biography.
Wonderful commentary. I really like Caravaggio and it has bothered me that so many focus on his shortcomings. Clearly he could not paint the way he did without being God inspired. I wish people would focus on how he opened up and filled in some of the mysteries of the Bible moments he depicted.
Thank you! I agree. Unfortunately art critics will often write about anything but the subject matter itself when it comes to religious art.
Love how you focused on how matter isn’t ipso facto evil and that the Divine often uses matter to draw us to Him and—especially through the Sacraments—impart grace. Christianity isn’t a mere ethereal affair. As the line in John’s Gospel goes, “Verbum caro factum est et habitavit in nobis.” The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.
A wonder-filled post, Caravaggio is one of my all time favourites. If he had been born today I’m sure he would have been a film or theatrical director, his paintings have such strong stage and lighting direction, they truly look like a stopped frame from a movie or play. The emotion pours out of his works, you FEEL as if you are there as a participant, rather than like his contemporaries an observer. Your essay was a joy to read, thank you so very much. God Bless 🙏
Thank you! Caravaggio is one of my favorites too. That is a great point! Caravaggio was a master of light and has had a huge influence on the world of film, especially film noir.
In the Eastern Church, sometimes Holy Icons get their own Feast Day. ☦️ ⛲ 🕊️Today, 7/3/2024AD, is the Commemoration of the Holy MILK-GIVER Icon of the Theotokos of Hilander. This Holy Icon traveled from the St Saba the Sanctified Monastery near Jerusalem to the Holy Mountain of Athos ⛪ 🏔️ 🌊 ⚓ 🇷🇸 about 800yrs ago. 😌 HAPPY FEAST! Most Holy Theotokos save us! Lord Jesus Christ, Incarnate God-Man, have mercy on us! ☀️🌙✨🌐 🌴🔥 ♥️ 🕯️📿 📖 ✍🏼
The historical context of the painting was helpful and it reminded me of the earthiness of our faith.
Lovely post,
Saint Thomas, pray for us!
Thank you for sharing this beautiful post. It reminds me of the fourth stanza of St. Thomas Aquinas’ “Adoro te Devote, “ as translated my Gerard Manley Hopkins:
I am not like Thomas, wounds I cannot see,
But can plainly call thee Lord and God as he;
Let me to a deeper faith daily nearer move,
Daily make me harder hope and dearer love.
Thomas’s incredulity gave birth to belief.
Saint Thomas, pray for us.
Caravaggio is a master of a visceral drama that has ever plunged its fingers into my soul. Three years ago I read Andrew Graham-Dixon's biography, "Caravaggio: A Life Sacred and Profane”. My love for Caravaggio’s work and that Graham-Dixon’s biography gave birth to a poem. If you wish to read it, it can be found at:
https://rlbussell.com/2021/01/22/m-caravaggio/