The stories of Christianity and painting have been intertwined since at least the Middle Ages. The painters of the early, high and late Renaissance in Italy, Spain and northern Europe learned their art and craft while working in the service of both the Church and devout patrons, producing depictions of scenes from the Bible and the lives of the saints for the benefit and instruction of clergy and worshippers alike.
This book follows a course through the Christian year—from Advent and the Christmas season, through Holy Week and Easter and the periods of Ordinary Time—to present 30 works celebrating the key events and festivals of the liturgical calendar by some of the best-known names from art history. Velázquez, Piero della Francesca, Rembrandt, Raphael, Giotto, Titian and Caravaggio are just some of the many celebrated artists included in the book with their representations of feasts such as the Immaculate Conception, the Annunciation, the Nativity, the Crucifixion, the Resurrection, Pentecost and All Saints.
Historian John S. Dixon guides the reader by offering detailed analysis of the formal qualities and symbolism of each painting, while outlining the biblical stories that inspired their creation and explaining their religious and art historical significance. Full illustrations and close-up details of the featured works are accompanied by comparative illustrations of paintings and sculptures of the subjects by other masters. This beautiful book will enable all lovers of painting, both Christian and non-Christian, to expand their appreciation of these magnificent works of art.
Featured image is reproduced from 'The Christian Year in Painting.'
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Translated as "Do Not Touch Me," Titian's "Noli me Tangere" (1514) depicts Jesus and Mary Magdalene on Easter morning, upon her discovery of him, resurrected, outside the tomb where she had seen him dead and buried prior to the Jewish Sabbath on Good Friday. According to the gospels, when Mary Magdalene first sees Jesus, she mistakes him for a gardener. In The Christian Year in Painting, author John S. Dixon, explains, "John and Peter went away, but Mary stayed weeping. When she looked into the tomb again, she saw two angels who asked why she was weeping. She answered: 'They have taken my Lord away, and I don't know where they have laid him.' As she spoke, she turned and saw Jesus, whom she took for a gardener, and said: 'Sir, if you have carried him off, tell me where you have put him and I will go and take him away.' Jesus said to her, 'Mary!' She answered, 'Rabbuni!' ('Master!'). Jesus said, 'Do not touch me because I have not yet ascended to the throne of the Father.'" continue to blog
Originally thought to have been painted by Fra Angelico, this c. 1440–45 rendition of "The Annunciation" has recently been attributed to Zanobi Strozzi, one of the Dominican master's students. It is reproduced from The Christian Year in Painting—which gathers 30 art historical works celebrating the key events of the liturgical calendar—in the section devoted to Lent. "When Mary asks Gabriel how she can give birth to a son, since she is a virgin, the angel replies: 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you,'" John S. Dixon writes in a chapter analyzing all of the painting's symbolic elements. "…We are shown the moment of Mary's 'reflection' on Gabriel's message. Her positive response will lead to the Incarnation of the Son of God. But Strozzi is able, through his imagery and within a coherent narrative scene, to produce a great many relevant resonances. He relates the moment depicted to the baptism of Jesus, to the 'living waters' of his message to humanity, to his death on the cross and to his resurrection; while we are reminded of the Church he established and the sacraments it administers, particularly the Eucharist, when water is mixed with the wine, as it was with Christ's blood on Calvary. We could, in fact, say that Strozzi, in one and a half square meters, offers a synopsis of much of St Luke's gospel and a little of his Acts of the Apostles as well." continue to blog
FORMAT: Hbk, 6.75 x 8.5 in. / 192 pgs / 100 color. LIST PRICE: U.S. $45.00 LIST PRICE: CANADA $60 ISBN: 9781908970343 PUBLISHER: Art / Books AVAILABLE: 4/24/2018 DISTRIBUTION: D.A.P. RETAILER DISC: TRADE PUBLISHING STATUS: Active AVAILABILITY: In stock TERRITORY: NA ONLY
The stories of Christianity and painting have been intertwined since at least the Middle Ages. The painters of the early, high and late Renaissance in Italy, Spain and northern Europe learned their art and craft while working in the service of both the Church and devout patrons, producing depictions of scenes from the Bible and the lives of the saints for the benefit and instruction of clergy and worshippers alike.
This book follows a course through the Christian year—from Advent and the Christmas season, through Holy Week and Easter and the periods of Ordinary Time—to present 30 works celebrating the key events and festivals of the liturgical calendar by some of the best-known names from art history. Velázquez, Piero della Francesca, Rembrandt, Raphael, Giotto, Titian and Caravaggio are just some of the many celebrated artists included in the book with their representations of feasts such as the Immaculate Conception, the Annunciation, the Nativity, the Crucifixion, the Resurrection, Pentecost and All Saints.
Historian John S. Dixon guides the reader by offering detailed analysis of the formal qualities and symbolism of each painting, while outlining the biblical stories that inspired their creation and explaining their religious and art historical significance. Full illustrations and close-up details of the featured works are accompanied by comparative illustrations of paintings and sculptures of the subjects by other masters. This beautiful book will enable all lovers of painting, both Christian and non-Christian, to expand their appreciation of these magnificent works of art.
