The Great Painters' Gospel Part 5

The woman kisses the Master's feet and wipes them with her hair, v.

38. There is great consternation among the guests.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Magdalen.]

Plate 74. _Magdalen._ Rubens. 1577-1640.

_Hofmann, Plate 75,_ shows the self-righteous Pharisee, with his hypocritical friends, more graphically than either of the other artists. His keen insight into character is reflected from every face. Hofmann, above many others, is true to the account, and true to human nature. "Thy sins are forgiven," Jesus is saying. (Verse 48.)

[Ill.u.s.tration: Anointing Feet of Jesus.]

Plate 75. _Anointing Feet of Jesus._ H. Hofmann. 1824-

_Hofmann, Plate 76,_ tells of Jesus preaching from the boat (Mark 4:1). Every face in the picture is worth studying. The world is present by representation--infancy, childhood, youth, maturity, old age; the healthy and the diseased, the workman and the scholar. "And he taught them many things in parables," among other things the truth about the Kingdom of G.o.d. (Luke 8:9-10.)

[Ill.u.s.tration: Jesus Preaches from a Boat.]

Plate 76. _Jesus Preaches from a Boat._ H. Hofmann. 1824-

_Robert, Plate 77,_ in four decorative panels, ill.u.s.trates the parable of the Sower, which Jesus gave at this time. In the first the birds came and devoured the seed, in the second the stony ground offered no good opportunity for a harvest, in the third thorns and thistles and other worldly things, "the deceitfulness of riches and the l.u.s.ts of other things," symbolized by the short-lived mushrooms and daisies, and by the moths, choke the good seed. In the last is the abundant harvest. (Mark 4:1-34.)

[Ill.u.s.tration: Parable of the Sower.]

Plate 77. _Parable of the Sower._ H. L. Robert

And when Jesus had finished these parables he departed to the other side of the lake. "And behold there arose a great tempest in the sea." _Dore, Plate 78,_ shows the disciples in fear, crying out, "Save, Lord; we perish." Jesus, awakened from a sound sleep, says calmly, "Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?" (Matt. 8:25-26.) "Then he arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm." (Verse 26.)

[Ill.u.s.tration: "Peace, Be Still."]

Plate 78. _"Peace, Be Still."_ Gustave Dore. 1833-1883.

By the time Jesus had re-crossed in the boat, a great number of people had gathered to meet him. Here Jairus came and entreated Jesus to cure his little daughter who was at the point of death. As they were going to the house, servants came saying that the child was dead: but they went on to the house of Jairus. Clearing the house of the mourners, Jesus takes the child's father and mother, Peter, James and John, and with them enters the room of death. (Mark 5:21, 24, 35-40.)

_Richter, Plate 80,_ is true to the account in the number of witnesses, but not in the action of the Master.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Christ Raising the Daughter of Jairus.]

Plate 80. _Christ Raising the Daughter of Jairus._ Gustav Richter.

1823-1884.

_Hofmann, Plate 79,_ is, as usual, more literal. "Taking the child by the hand" Jesus said, "Little girl, I am speaking to you, get up."

(Mark 5:41.)

[Ill.u.s.tration: Daughter of Jairus.]

Plate 79. _Daughter of Jairus._ H. Hofmann. 1824-

_Keller, Plate 81,_ shows the next moment when the damsel arose and the people were "utterly astounded." (Verse 43 in Twentieth Century New Testament.) Keller is no doubt more accurate than either of the others in the matters of costume and other accessories. The face of the child is worth studying.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Raising the Daughter of Jairus.]

Plate 81. _Raising the Daughter of Jairus._ A. Keller.

DEATH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST.

The account is given in Mark 6:14-29.

_Reni, Plate 82,_ represents the daughter of Herodius bearing John's head to her mother. At Herod's command a soldier had brought it in a charger, and given it to the damsel. (Verse 28.)

[Ill.u.s.tration: Head of John the Baptist in a Charger.]

Plate 82. _Head of John the Baptist in a Charger._ Guido Reni. 1575- 1642.

THE FEEDING OF THE FIVE THOUSAND.

When Jesus heard of the death of John he withdrew into a desert place to rest. But the crowds followed him on foot from all the cities of Galilee. After a day spent in healing the sick and in teaching, the Master fed the mult.i.tude generously, with five loaves and two fishes.

The account is given by Mark (6:30-46) and by all the other evangelists.

_Murillo, Plate 83,_ has selected the moment when the mult.i.tude is being seated "by companies upon the green gra.s.s," and the disciples are procuring the loaves and fishes from the lad. (John 6:9.) Jesus is taking the loaves preparatory to giving thanks and distributing them.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes.]

Plate 83. _Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes._ Bartolome Esteran Murillo. 1618-1682.

The following night Jesus came to the disciples, walking upon the water. The most complete account is given by Matthew (14:24-36). Upon Peter's request Jesus gave him permission to come out upon the water.

_Schwartz, Plate 85,_ shows the moment when Peter, sinking, cries out, "Lord, save me." (Matt. 14:30.)

[Ill.u.s.tration: Christ and St. Peter.]

Plate 85. _Christ and St. Peter._ A. Schwartz.

_Plockhorst, Plate 84,_ gives the next instant when Jesus stretched forth his hand and took hold of him, saying, "O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?" (Matt. 14:31.)

[Ill.u.s.tration: Christ and St. Peter.]

Plate 84. _Christ and St. Peter._ S. Plockhorst. 1825-

THE TRIP INTO PHOENICIA.

And Jesus went away into the borders of Tyre and Sidon. There a Canaanitish woman begged him to cure her daughter. The interesting dialogue which ensued is recorded by both Matthew and Mark.

_Vecchio, Plate 86,_ gives the beginning of the dialogue. "I was not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel." (Matt. 15:24.)

[Ill.u.s.tration: The Canaanitish Woman.]

Plate 86. _The Canaanitish Woman._ Palma Vecchio. 1475-1528.

PETER'S CONFESSION.

The event recorded in Matt. 16:13-20, and that recorded in John 21:15-23, have often been closely related in the minds of artists employed by the church during the middle ages.

_Reni, Plate 87,_ gives a literal interpretation to Matt. 16:19. "I give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven."

[Ill.u.s.tration: Christ Giving Keys to St. Peter.]

Plate 87. _Christ Giving Keys to St. Peter._ Guido Reni. 1575-1642.

_Raphael, Plate 88,_ represents the later event, when Christ says, "Feed my sheep," but Peter has evidently just received the keys. The sheep are actually present, as symbols, to make clear the moment selected by the artist. (John 21:17.)

[Ill.u.s.tration: Christ's Charge to St. Peter.]

Plate 88. _Christ's Charge to St. Peter._ Raphael. 1483-1520.