Inspiring Paintings: An insight so keen

~ Who are these men Who come so close ~  To gaze at What’s sacred to be seen?  ~ New life New love  ~ And an insight So keen. ~ The Adoration of the Magi, Poussin With thanks to @artistpoussin

Holy Innocents

On the 28th December, the Holy Innocents - innocent children - are remembered. This poem is called "Like a Child" ~ The bishop holds him             like a child ~ And in his nakedness             we see our own condition ~ Without impressiveness             without pretence ~ Open             to grace. ~ It takes its …

Advent Art (7) – Spirituality in the Background?

This painting reminds me of preparations for Christmas ... Lots of noise and jollity, with spiritual things sometimes left in the background. Did you even notice Moses at the back on the left, in the darkness? He brings the spiritual message but has already shattered one of the stone tablets ont he ground, when he’s …

Advent Art (3) – An Ark Amongst Suffering

There is something powerfully resonant about these two images of The Flood – of worldwide disaster and human suffering. In Poussin’s dark, grey painting (on the left) we see a figure desperately praying in the middle, because that’s one of the things we do when we are desperate! The ark of safety is very hard …

Inspiring Paintings – The blessing is merely to receive

. Light shines On the one who is called . Though heart Can hardly believe . Yet love is given From a nearby heaven . And the blessing Is merely to receive. . Poussin, 'The Apparition of the Virgin Mary to St. James'

Inspiring Paintings: Poussin

. The blue Is of heaven .  And the eye steps To a family . Bathed  In sunlight .  And though A shadow falls on man .  Yet love will triumph Brightly. With thanks to @artistpoussin The Holy Family on the Steps - Poussin

Choosing

. The flood of evil Never seems . To have an end Unless one chooses . To make An ark . Of holiness In a sea of pain. . 'Winter' - Poussin

The Stories of Paradise

  The stories Of paradise   Reminding me Of evil   Of beauty And union   And divine Eternal communion.   Spring (The Earthly Paradise), Poussin

Inspiring Paintings: Et in Arcadia Ego

Even here You will discover . That dark Gateway . That leads You know not where . And also You will learn . Of eternal Life. . 'Et in Arcadia Ego', Poussin