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Course overview
The artistic portrayal of the life events of Jesus Christ have taken many different forms throughout the centuries from altarpieces, triptychs, and diptychs to more modern standalone paintings. Paintings depicting the life of Christ were designed to produce an emotive response. That is, arousing or able to arouse intense feelings by re-narrating biblical events in visual form.
Sacred images of Christ were used for both private devotion and for public worship. In art history the life of Christ as narrative cycle typically consisted of five categories. Focusing upon the life of Christ as a narrative cycle; each week participants will explore and contemplate the narrative sequence of Jesus' life story stage by stage. Week one explores the birth & childhood sequence. In week's two & three Jesus' mission & ministry period is considered. In week four His Passion, and finally in week five His Resurrection & Ascension into heaven.
Week one of this five-week course covers the first 12-years of Jesus’ life as depicted through artistic representation of specific moments that marked the early years of his narrative lifecycle.
Questions for reflection:
Was Mary’s yes, her fiat, a forgone conclusion?
Readings:
JD Parry (1995) Narration and Quattrocento Annunciation Painting, available at:
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1342&context=rmmra
Cennino Cennini, Il libro del l’ Arte or The Craftsman’s Handbook, Dover Publications Inc, 2000. Originally written in the 15th century, this manual for artists describes painting techniques step by step. It provided guidance on how to mix pigments, how to create a fresco, and how to begin drawing on a little panel; and the system for it.
For a free online version see http://www.noteaccess.com/Texts/Cennini
Image List: Birth & Childhood Sequence
1. FraAngelico, The Annunciation c.1426 (Prado)
2. Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Ecce Ancilla Domini, c.1850 (Tate)
3. FraAngelico, The Visitation (The Annunciation of Cortona altarpiece or retable by Beato Angelico with 5 Predella scenes) c. 1434-36 (Museo Diocesano in Cortona Tuscany Italy)
4. Philippede Champaigne, The Dream of Saint Joseph, c.1642-43, The National Gallery, London
5. Geertgentot Sint Jans, Nativity by Night, c. 1490, The National Gallery, London
6. Workshop of Giovanni Bellini, The Circumcision c.1500, (The National Gallery, London).
7. Ludovico Carracci, Presentation in the Temple c. 1605 (Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid).
10. Kehinde Wiley, Passing/Posing (Female Prophet Anne, Who Observes the Presentation ofJesus in the Temple) c.2003 (Brooklyn Museum).
11. Giotto, The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple c.1320 (Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston).
12. Adoration of the Magi, c.6thCentury (Basilica di Sant’ Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna)
13. AGreco-Venetian work by a Madonnero, The Flight into Egypt c.17th Century, (Vatican Museum).
14. Timur D’Vatz, The Flight into Egypt c.2015 (Notre Dame de France, London)
15. Pieter Bruegel the Elder, The Massacre of the Innocents c.16th Century (Royal Collection).
16. Pieter Bruegel the Younger, The Massacre of the Innocents c.16th Century (Brukenthal Museum, Sibiu, Romania)
17. Simone Martini, Christ Discovered in the Temple c.1342 (Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool).
Weeks two and three will cover the most significant events that occurred during Jesus’ three-year mission period. Starting with his baptism, we follow Jesus who was then led into the desert by the Holy Spirit to face the temptations of the devil: witness his first miracle and the calling of his first apostles.
Questions for reflection:
Why did Jesus insist on being baptised by John the Baptist if he was sinless?
Image List: Introduction to His mission and Ministry (6th months)
1. Piero della Francesca, The Baptism of Christ c. 1448–1450, in the National Gallery, London.
2. The Temptations of Christ c.12th Century Mosaic, in St. Mark’s Basilica, Venice.
3. Paolo Veronese, The Wedding Feast at Cana c.1563, in the Musée du Louvre, Paris.
Article: https://www.rochester.edu/in_visible_culture/Issue_14/pdf/khanson.pdf
4. Theodoor Rombouts, Christ Drives the Moneychangers from the Temple c.17th Century, in the Royal Museum of Fine Arts, Antwerp, Belgium.
5. Angelika Kauffmann, Christ and the Samaritan Woman at the Well c.1796, in the Neue Pinakothek in Munich, Germany.
The Galilean Ministry (approx. 12-18 months)
6. Gerbrand van den Eeckhout, Christ Teaching in the Synagogue at Nazareth, c.1658, in the National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin.
7. James Tissot, The Healing of the Officer's Son (La guérison du fils de l'officier)c.1850, in the Brooklyn Museum.
8. Domenico Ghirlandaio, Vocation of the Apostles (fresco), c.1481-2, Sistine Chapel, Vatican City, Rome.
9. Fra Angelico, The Sermon on the Mount, c.1436, in the Museo di San Marco, Florence.
10. Carl Bloch, Sermon on the Mount, c. 1877, in the Museum of National History at Frederiksborg Castle in Hillerød, Denmark.
11. Rembrandt van Rijn, Christ in the Storm on the Sea of Galilee, c.1633, whereabouts unknow since 1990.
12. Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist, c.1608, Malta.
Starting with the sermon on the mount, week three continues the and concludes the three-year mission period of Jesus’ life events. In this session we explore the teachings, miracles and Jesus’ attitude towards sinners.
The Season of Withdrawal from Galilee (approx. 6th months)
10. Ambrosius Francken 1, Multiplication of the loaves and fish,c.1598, held in the Royal Museum of Fine Arts, Antwerp.
11. Ivan Konstantinovich, Jesus Walks on Water, (The State Museum of the History of Religion in Saint Petersburg, Russia)
12. Raphael, The Transfiguration c.1520 (Pinacoteca Vaticana, Vatican City).
The Judean Ministry (approx. 3 months)
13. Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, The Woman Taken in Adultery c. 1644, in The National Gallery, London
14. Jan Wijnants, Parable of the Good Samaritan c.1670(Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg, Russia)
The Perean Ministry (approx. 3 months)
15. Sebastiano del Piombo, The Raising of Lazarus, c.1517-1519 (The National Gallery, London)
16. Ten Leppers
17. James Tissot, Zacchaeus in the Sycamore Awaiting the Passage of Jesus c.1886 -1894 (Brooklyn Museum)
18. Multiple versions of Christ’s encounter with Zacchaeus: see below
19. Christ Encounters Zacchaeus and Calls Saint Matthew, From Orationes by Gregory Nazianzene, Byzantine (Constantinople), c. 879 – 882, Paris, Bibliotheque nationale de France, MS Grec 510, fol. 87v (detail)
20. Jesus Encounters Zacchaeus, Detail of Berward's Column, German (Hildesheim), ca. 1020, Hildesheim, Cathedral
21. Jesus Encounters Zacchaeus, From a Gospel Book German (Passau), ca. 1170-1180,Munich, Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, MS Clm 16002, fol. 40r
22. Giotto, Entry into Jerusalem Italian, c. 1300-1305 Padua, Arena/Scrovegni Chapel
23. Duccio, Entry into Jerusalem, From the Maestà Altarpiece, Italian, c. 1308-1311, Siena, Museo dell'Opera del Duomo
24. Attributed to the Master of the Harvard Hannibal, Jesus Encounters Zacchaeus as He Enters Jericho, From Meditationes vitae Christi by Pseudo-Bonaventure, French (Paris), c. 1420-1422, London, British Library, MSRoyal 20 B IV, fol. 94r
25. Antwerp Master, Meal at the House of Zacchaeus and the Encounter of Jesus and Zacchaeus, Flemish, c.1485-1491, Amsterdam, Rijksmuseum
26. Jacopo Palma il Giovane, Christ Calling Zacchaeus
Italian, c. 1575, Cambridge, University of Cambridge Museums, Fitzwilliam Museum
The Passion of Christ is the most dramatic period of his life. Although it only covers a seven-day period it covers pivotal moments in the life of Christ such as the Last Supper, the agony in the garden, the arrest of Christ, the via dolorosa (the way of suffering)and the crucifixion of Christ. Each of which have been popular subject matter for artists down through the ages.
Image List: The Passion of Christ
Image List: Week four: The Passion ofChrist (7 days)
1. Pietro Lorenzetti, Entry of Christinto Jerusalem, c.1320, Basilica of San Francesco d’Assisi.
2. El Greco, Christ driving the Tradersfrom the Temple, c.1600, National Gallery, London.
3. Leonardo da Vinci, The Last Supper, c.1495–1498, Santa Maria delle Grazie, Milan, Italy.
4. Copy of Leonardo's The Last Supper, c.1515-20. Attributedto Giampietrino and Attributed to Giovanni Antonio Boltraffio.
5. Jacopo Tintoretto, Christ Washing theDisciples’ Feet, c.1548, Museo del Prado, Madrid.
6. Paul Gauguin, The Agony in the Garden,c.1889, Norton Gallery, Palm Beach, Florida, USA.
7. Giotto, TheArrest of Christ, c.1305, Scrovegni Chapel, Padua.
8. Fra Angelico, The Mocking of Christ(Silver Cabinet), about 1450, Florence, Museum of San Marco.
9. Antonio Ciseri, Ecce Homo,c.1860-80, Galleria dell'Arte Moderna (Gallery of Modern Art) within PalazzoPitti in Florence, Italy.
10. Kehinde Wiley, EcceHomo, c.2012, Private Collection.
11. Anthony Van Dyck,Ecce Homo, c.1626, Baber Institute of Fine Art.
12. Peter PaulRubens, The Flagellation of Christ, c.1606-1607, The Church of St. Paul in Antwerp, Belgium
13. Hans Maler, Christ Carrying the Cross,c.1510, Art Institute Chicago.
14. HieronymusBosh, (attributed), Christ Carrying the Cross, c.1510, Museum of FineArts, Ghent, Belgium.
15. Rapheal, The Mond Crucifix, c. 1503, NationalGallery, London.
16. Mathias Grunwald, The Crucifixion, c. 1512-1515, Museed’Unterlinden, Colmar.
17. Kehinde Wiley, Lamentationover the Dead Christ, c.2008, Private Collection
18. Andrea Mantegna, Lamentationover the Dead Christ, c.1480, Pinacoteca di Brera, Milan.
19. Fra Angelico, The Harrowing of Hell, San Marco Museum,Florance.
In the final session of this five-week course we will cover the last 40 days of Jesus’ life on earth. The resurrection appearances are perhaps the most remarkable part of his life’s journey on earth. The disciples of Jesus are filled with fear, disappointment, doubt which turns into belief, awe, and hope.
Question for reflection: How do we reconcile the seemingly conflicting messages given to St Thomas and St Mary Magdeline?
Reading: Duccio and the Origins of Wester Paintings written by the eminent art historian Keith Christiansen, is available to download as a PDF.
Image List: The Resurrection & Appearances (40 days)
1. Peter von Cornelius, The Three Marys at the tomb, c.1815, in the Neue Pinakothek, Munich
2. Mathias Grunewald, The Resurrection, c.1512 - c.1516, Musee d' Unterlinden, Colmar
3. William Holman Hunt, Christ and the Two Marys, Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide.
4. Peter von Cornelius, The Three Marys at the tomb, c.1815, in the Neue Pinakothek, Munich
5. Titian, Nolime tangere, c. 1514; in the National Gallery, London.
6. Caravaggio, Supper at Emmaus, c. 1601, in the National Gallery, London.
7. The Risen Jesus Appears to His Disciples,c.1476, in the Codex of Predis, Royal Library, Turin.
8. Caravaggio, The Incredulity of Saint Thomas (Ecclesiastical Version) c.1601, in theSanssouci Picture Gallery in Potsdam, Germany
9. Caravaggio, The Incredulity of Saint Thomas (Secular Version) c.1602, in the Sanssouci Picture Gallery in Potsdam, Germany
10. Duccio di Buoninsegna, Appearance on Lake Tiberias (panel 3 of the Maestà), c. 1308, in the Museo dell' Opera del Duomo, Siena
11. Raphael, Christ's Charge to Peter, c.1515, on loan to the Victoria and Albert Museum since 1865
12. Benvenuto Tisi da Garofalo - Ascension of Christ, c. 1510–1520, in the Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica, Rome
We would greatly appreciate it if you could take a few minutes to provide feedback on your experience with the course. Please complete the evaluation form here: Evaluation Form - Painting Jesus
Thank you for your time and valuable input.
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Sr. Dr. Carolyn Morrison is a sister of the Religious of the Assumption (r.a.). She gained her BA in Theology, and a MA in Pastoral Theology at Heythrop College. She completed her PhD in Visual Theology at St Mary’s Catholic University, Twickenham (2021). She works as a Chaplain at Newman House, Central Catholic Chaplaincy for London’s Universities. She was also a Chaplain to Heythrop College (2013-14). She gives retreats to university students, teachers and chaplains. She tutors on the module An Interdisciplinary Encounter with the Sacred at St Mary’s University, Twickenham. She reviews scholarly articles for publication in the journal of International Studies in Catholic Education for the Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group. Her research interests mainly concern the use of visual theology: in contemporary Catholic Education based upon the Theological Aesthetics of Hans Urs von Balthasar.
