Entry 21

Heliodorus Driven From the Temple

Eugene Delacroix

Oil and wax on plaster

714 x 485 cm

The Church of Saint-Sulpice, Paris, France

This image which is found in the Church of Saint-Sulpice in the Delacroix chapel is located on the opposite wall from Jacob Wrestling the Angel. According to the second book of Maccabees, Heliodorus the general was sent to take the treasure from the Temple of Jerusalem by the King of Syria. While in the act of confiscating the sacred treasure a horseman and two young men, the messengers of God, arrived and flogged Heliodorus and clearing the Syrian troops out of the temple.

Sources

Image Description from the Church of Saint-Sulpice
Web Gallery of Art, Image Collection, Virtual Museum, Searchable Database of European Fine Arts (1000-1850). Web. 12 Apr. 2010. .

Entry 18

Jacob Wrestling with the Angel

Oil and wax on plaster

751 x 485 cm

Saint-Sulpice, Paris, France

This painting is a representation of Jacob’s struggle with the angel. Before meeting with his brother Esau for the first time in many years Jacob sends his family across the river, notice Laban and Rachel in the right corner, to be alone and to pray. While there a man came and wrestled with him, however, it is debated whether it was really a man, God, or an angel. This image depicts the visitor as an angel. They wrestled until a standpoint came when the angel put Jacob’s hip out of place. Jacob refused to let the angel go unless he could be blessed. The visitor did so and said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob. Your name will now be Israel, because you have wrestled with God and with people, and you have won” (Genesis 34:28). The name Israel means “he wrestles with God.” Jacob named this place Peniel which means “the face of God” because he said, “I have seen God face to face, but my life was saved” (Genesis 34:30). In this painting notice the pile of clothing which appears to have been discarded in a hurry. The angel also possesses the disorderly struggle of a man who does not want to submit. This image can be translated to our own interior struggles.

Sources
Church of Saint-Sulpice Painting Inscription
Holy Bible. New Living Translation. Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House, 2005. Print.

Entry 14

St. Michael Defeats the Devil

By: Eugéne Delacroix (1798-1863)

Oil and virgin wax on plaster

Church of Saint-Sulpice, Paris, France

This painting is found on the ceiling of a chapel in the Church of Saint-Sulpice which contains three paintings by this artist (two on the wall as well as this one which is found on the ceiling). The central and dominant figure in this image is St. Michael the Archangel. He can be seen surrounded in light as he defeats the figures of the darkness He is chief of the heavenly host and is leading the celestial army which defends the church. Here he is seen fighting the rebel angels and defeating the dragon of Revelations and driving them from heaven. It is appropriate that he would be found doing so in this painting due to the fact that he is the patron saint of knights, who are known as defenders, and to trades related to the production of weapons and arms.

Sources:

"St. Michael, the Archangel - Saints & Angels." Catholic Online. Web. 12 Apr. 2010. .

Church of Saint-Sulpice Painting Inscription

Entry 12

Angel Mosaics

Artist Unknown

San Giovanni (Baptistry), Florence

Mosaic

90 feet

The detailed ceiling of the Baptistery depicts many biblical scenes and images. The second ring of figure depictions is of the angels. The ring is composed of eight trapezoids. In the trapezoid which sits above Christ and a depiction of the last judgment there is another scene where Christ is surrounded by two cherubim and two seraphim. Here Christ holds a text which states “I, God, created the Angels.” The remaining seven trapezoids are filled with the seven orders of angels: Dominions, Powers, Archangels, Angels, Principalities, Virtues, and Thrones. All of the angel’s heads are tilted down in adoration and turned towards the depiction of Jesus showing their respect and Jesus’ authority over them. The angels are the closest depiction to the light showing their closeness to God Almighty.



Resources

Tours of Tuscany, Italy. Web 12 Apr 2010.

Piazza del Duomo Informational Pamphlet

Entry 11

Annunciazione (1603)

Allessandro Allori

Accademia, Florence

Oil on canvas

Approximately 4'x7'

This painting is found in the Tribuna del David room in the Accademia Gallery. While Michelangelo’s David tends to captivate art viewers, paintings such as the Annunciazione or the Annunciation are fine pieces in their own which tend to be overlooked. In this depiction of the annunciation, Mary and the angel alone are present. Mary gives the appearance of being startled by the presence of the angel with her raised arms and the position of her cape which appears to be falling off of her. The manner of the cape suggests that Mary rose suddenly from her chair at the presence of the angel and it is falling towards the floor. Mary appears to have been reading the open book which rests on the chair and was probably discarded with the sudden surprise. The open angle of Mary’s body towards the viewer tends to invite the observer of the image into the painted scene. The angel appears to Mary in a ray of light holding a lily to represent her purity and innocence.

Resources

"Art Symbol Dictionary - Flowers and Plants Symbols." About.com Painting -- Learn How to Paint, Painting Tips, Creativity. Web. 12 Apr. 2010.

Entry 1

The Annunciation (1528)

Benvenuto Tisi, aka Il Garofalo

Capitoline Museum, Rome

oil on canvas

approximately 6'x4'

Benvenuto Tisi, also known as Il Garofalo, was born in Ferrara, Italy, in 1481. He studied under a variety of different teachers, including Boccaccino and Romano. These teachers added elements of strong Venetian coloring and a classical, stylized emphasis to his style of painting. This particular painting exemplifies both of these stylistic elements; the coloring is vivid, and the figures depicted have classical features. Mary is dressed in simple clothing, while Gabriel wears rich colors and gold embellishment, including golden footwear. A faint halo surrounds Mary's head, as in many other works of art. God the Father looks on from the top left corner of the painting, while the baby Jesus, carrying a cross, looks as if He is beginning His descent to Earth. A dove, representing the Holy Spirit, is captured mid-flight. On the lower right side of the painting, a cat and a hearth imply that Mary lives a simply, homely life, while the angel Gabriel offers her white lilies, symbolizing her purity. Two columns split the painting; these could serve as both separation between Mary's earthly life and the heavenly beings, and also it could symbolize the church and how important this scene is to the church.

Resources

http://www.artexpertswebsite.com/pages/artists/garofalo.php

http://mwurtz.blogspot.com/2010/02/capitoline-museum.html

http://www.teleflora.com/about-flowers/lily.asp