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Category Archives: Virgin Mary

Lent 46

Andrea Bonaiuti, The Crucifixion, 1365-68. The Spanish Chapel, Santa Maria Novella, Florence. As I said on Thursday, the Master of Delft does not take us any further than Good Friday, and so, for the final day of Lent we will leave the Netherlands and head down to Italy, and to Florence, to consider one ofContinue reading “Lent 46”

Posted bydrrichardstemp3rd Apr 2021Posted inAngels, Bible, Crucifixion, Devils, Hell, Jesus, Lent, Saints, Virgin Mary8 Comments on Lent 46

Lent 45 – Good Friday

The Master of Delft, Triptych: Scenes from the Passion of Christ, about 1510. National Gallery London. https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/NG2922.1 https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/NG2922.2https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/NG2922.3

Posted bydrrichardstemp2nd Apr 2021Posted inCrucifixion, Jesus, Lent, Saints, Virgin Mary16 Comments on Lent 45 – Good Friday

Lent 44

On the right hand panel of the triptych, Christ is taken down from the cross. The stark, empty form appears against the sky, which is partially clouded, as we witness the gradual emptying of the top half of the painting. A ladder leans against the cross, one man climbing down, lowering the lifeless form asContinue reading “Lent 44”

Posted bydrrichardstemp1st Apr 2021Posted inCrucifixion, Jesus, Lent, Saints, Virgin Mary6 Comments on Lent 44

Lent 43

The central panel of the triptych shows The Crucifixion. Christ appears at the top centre of the painting, outlined against the sky, the weather deteriorating from the clear blue we saw yesterday as we move from left to right. He is presented formally to us, an icon outside of the worldly clamour all around. TheContinue reading “Lent 43”

Posted bydrrichardstemp31st Mar 2021Posted inBible, Crucifixion, Jesus, Lent, Saints, Virgin MaryLeave a comment on Lent 43

Lent 41

This is the same painting – although you would be forgiven for not recognising it. The work is a triptych – a painting on three panels – and for most of the time it would have been closed, only to be opened when mass was celebrated at the altar on which it was originally found.Continue reading “Lent 41”

Posted bydrrichardstemp29th Mar 2021Posted inBible, Jesus, Lent, Saints, Virgin MaryLeave a comment on Lent 41

Lent 40

If I have cliff-hangers, I left you with one yesterday. Admittedly, it would have left you hanging at the edge of a very low curb, but there you go. At least none of you would have had a sleepless night, especially good as, thanks to daylight saving, we in the UK – and Europe asContinue reading “Lent 40”

Posted bydrrichardstemp28th Mar 202128th Mar 2021Posted inBible, Crucifixion, Lent, Virgin Mary7 Comments on Lent 40

Lent 39

While there might still be some doubt that it is the Virgin who kneels near the foot of the ladder, there is none that the Magdalene finds her place once more at Christ’s feet, her preferred position, as was mentioned in Lent 32. Unlike other characters, whose costumes change, hers is the same. A redContinue reading “Lent 39”

Posted bydrrichardstemp27th Mar 2021Posted inCrucifixion, Jesus, Lent, Virgin Mary2 Comments on Lent 39

Lent 38

Not far from the foot of the ladder which has been lent up against the cross is a woman kneeling in prayer. There is very little to tell us who she is, and yet, for anyone familiar with Western European painting, her identity is probably clear. We can also see feet descending the ladder, andContinue reading “Lent 38”

Posted bydrrichardstemp26th Mar 2021Posted inCrucifixion, Jesus, Lent, Virgin MaryLeave a comment on Lent 38

Lent 28

O vos omnes qui transitis per viam, attendite et videte si est dolor sicut dolor meus. The words from the Book of Lamentations (1:12) seem particularly apt today. This is a standard translation, adapted from the King James Version: All ye that pass by, behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto myContinue reading “Lent 28”

Posted bydrrichardstemp16th Mar 2021Posted inBible, Lent, Virgin Mary19 Comments on Lent 28

Lent 24

I have often wondered about this group of exiles – I’m never entirely clear where they are supposed to be, or what they are doing there. They form no part of the narrative with which I am familiar, and so, from my point of view, they are open to interpretation. However, their identity is not.Continue reading “Lent 24”

Posted bydrrichardstemp12th Mar 2021Posted inBible, Golden Legend, Lent, Saints, Virgin Mary7 Comments on Lent 24

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