2018 Columban Calendar Art Guide
Each year Columbans produce an in-depth Art Guide to accompany the Columban Art Calendar.
The Art Guide is professionally produced with an insightful explanation of each painting compiled by Dr Claire Renkin, (Art Historian and Lecturer at Yarra Theological Union) and narrated by Robyn Moore (Professional Speaker and Voice Artist), with Music by Chris Zabriskie. Viewing the Art Guide with the 2018 Columban Art Calendar you can...
Learn about the artwork, the story, the background, the artist and the meaning of each work.
Discover the role religious art plays in forming people’s spirituality.
Look at Christian art as a wonderful avenue for understanding Christian tradition.
The Art Guide is available for purchase as a DVD or can be viewed online at www.columban.org.au
This is a preview of the description for January 2018 which features in the 2018 Columban Calendar Art Guide:
The Presentation of Christ in the Temple (fresco, c.1305-1309) by Giotto di Bondone (c.1266-1337)
Giotto grips our attention in this portrayal of Simeon reaching out to hold the infant Jesus in his veiled hands. This detail from the great Florentine master’s fresco of the narrative traditionally known as the Presentation of Christ in the Temple invites us to imagine this story through the eyes of the devout old man. Luke recounts how it had been revealed to Simeon, an old man of the temple, that he would not die before he had seen the Messiah. Simeon gazes, reverently upon the Christ child. As Simeon says, he may “depart in peace” now that his longing to see the Messiah has been fulfilled. Christ in contrast appears unsettled, his attention divided as he reaches out with his right arm for the protecting presence of his mother. (Mary is missing from the detail). Christ’s searching gesture evokes every newborn’s vulnerability. Even so the child’s gaze remains fixed upon the old man. In the visual power of the exchange between the two figures, Giotto transforms the moment into a profound spiritual revelation as one life begins and another is ending. The narrow space that separates the two heightens the contrast between the venerable old man and the innocent child. We recall Simeon’s prophecy that her child would cause Mary to suffer as if a sword had pierced her heart. Like Giotto’s 14th-century audience we find our own contemplation of this moment tinged with love and fear for the future of this Child and His Family.
Related links
- Purchase ONLINE - @-$2.30 each (exc. GST & Postage)
- Read more from The Far East, November/December 2017
