Columban Catholic Calendar Art Guide December 2021

Columban Calendar Art Guide December 2021 - The worship and offerings of the Wise Men  

The worship and offerings of the Wise Men Colour litho, c.1880

Preceptive illustrations of the Bible (published by Thomas Varty) (Pre-Order your copy of 2022 Columban Catholic Art Calendar today: https://bit.ly/3g7YCIH ) This delightful hand-coloured lithographic print is part of book of illustrations depicting famous events in the Bible. According an inscription in the first edition published by Thomas Varty (c.1850), the illustrations were ‘designed to aid scriptural instruction in schools, and as a help to home education’. The subject of the worship or Adoration of the child Jesus by the Three Magi or wise men is inspired by the gospel of Matthew. A group of scholarly men from Sheba, Arabia and Egypt travelled to Bethlehem in Judea asking, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?” When they found Jesus, Mary and Joseph they would have been residing in a modest house, possibly still in Bethlehem, suggested in the picture by the crumbling brick wall and simple furnishings. By contrast, the Wise Men are depicted wearing oriental turbans and bright red and blue cloaks with gold trims and tartan ties. By this time Jesus would have been aged between one and two. Their opulent gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh also carry symbolic value in relation to the adoration of a divine king. Gold was anciently affiliated with kings, frankincense was used in temple worship, and myrrh - a sweet-smelling fragrance - was embedded on the deceased. Myrrh thereby referred to the sacrificial death Jesus would endure for humanity. The illustrator also conveys an ideal of motherhood and beauty in Mary’s young face and baby Jesus’s chubby, curious and amused response to the oriental visitors.

Art Guide Resource

Art Guide gives an insightful explanation of each painting featured in the 2021 Columban Art Calendar. The 2021 Columban Art Calendar Art Guide has been compiled by Dr Ursula Betka, Art Historian, Teacher and Iconographer and narrated by Robyn Moore (Voice Artist and Professional Speaker) and recorded by George Goerss at Sonic Solutions. Artworks ©Bridgeman Images.

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