A beautiful story

North Texas Catholic
(Oct 30, 2024) Local

Giovanni Bellini, Italian, “Christ Blessing,” C. 1500. (NTC/Juan Guajardo)

Many of our parishes are filled with stained glass, statues, and paintings that inspire and lift thoughts heavenward.

However, even older treasures that elevate the mind and nourish the soul can be found at the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth.

University of Dallas assistant professor of art history Dr. Estelle Voisin Fonteneau meets her students at the museum each semester for an informal Saturday visit. She called the Kimbell “my absolute favorite museum — that and the Gustave Moreau Museum in Paris.”

The Kimbell, Fonteneau explained, “gives you a good taste and it doesn’t overwhelm. They have the best of each” genre or artist.

For 52 years, this world-class museum has displayed masterpieces in its permanent collection, including many which depict the life of Christ. For the readers of the North Texas Catholic, their curators selected eight artworks that tell stories of  Jesus from His infancy through the resurrection.

 

Jacopo Bassano, Italian, “Supper at Emmaus,” 1538. (NTC/Juan Guajardo)

Art and the soul

When we perceive a beautiful piece of art, said Fonteneau, “You are encountering a taste of the divine; it gives you a taste of maybe what being in the presence of God may be like. It’s transformative.”

She cited Fra Angelico, OP, an Italian Dominican friar who painted in the 15th century. He believed that painting was a form of prayer, and his art invites us to do likewise.

Seeing the original art produces a different response than seeing an image, explained Nancy Edwards, curator of European art at the Kimbell. Studies demonstrate the brain is 10 times more engaged when we encounter the artist’s work as opposed to a poster.

Fine art also transcends the here and now.

“When you’re standing in front of a work of art itself, you know you’re standing in front of something created by another human, that they stood in front of this 500 years ago, halfway across the world. You’ve made a connection to another culture, far removed in time and in place,” said Nicole Griffin, head of marketing and public relations at the Kimbell.

 

Advice from the pros

The Kimbell has about 375 pieces of art in its permanent collection, but Griffin said, “Don’t be afraid. Slow down if you see something that draws you in, then just stand there.”

Edwards added, “Spend time with things that you like and then come back another time. Don’t feel that you have to see it all, to rush by it, but choose some things you like.”

When you find an artwork that draws you in, Edwards continued, “Have confidence. Ask yourself what you’re seeing and enjoy what you’re seeing. The artists are good storytellers, you just have to have the confidence that you’re reading it.

“Particularly in museums, we try to do things with slow looking. The more time you have with something, the more you discover,” she said.

If you want to learn more, the Kimbell offers audio tours and docent-guided tours. Or simply read the labels beside each artwork.

Are you a planner? The Kimbell’s website has a photograph of each piece, along with a short explanation. You can select pieces to view ahead of time.

The artworks highlighted in this article are in the Kimbell’s permanent collection, which is located in the Kahn building. Admission is free.

There is a charge to view special exhibitions in the Piano Pavilion.

 

“Virgin and Child,” c. 1530-1535

The specific artist who carved this alabaster statue of Mary and the infant Jesus is unknown, but its characteristics correspond to other statues from the Atelier of Saint-Leger, a French workshop.

Mary is represented as both a youthful virgin mother and the queen of heaven, wearing an ornate crown and finely detailed robes with traces of gilding.

Baby Jesus holds a pomegranate, a symbol of resurrection and eternal life.

Edwards explained Jesus is often represented as a man/child in works of art, representing the wisdom of the Word Incarnate.

A museum visitor views “Virgin and Child,” 1486. (NTC/Juan Guajardo)

 

“Virgin and Child,” 1486

Just around the corner from the French alabaster sculpture, you’ll find another Mary with the baby Jesus, this time sculpted in silver and gold.

Mary is depicted as the Virgin of the Apocalypse, with the crescent moon at her feet and a crown of 12 stars, and Jesus hold an orb with a cross to show his dominion over the world.

This statue bears the shield of the bishop of Eichstatt, a city in southern Germany, and its base is adorned with finely detailed angels and popular saints of the region.

Edwards said this “exquisitely crafted” sculpture is rare — most have been melted down.

 

“The Madonna and Child with Saints Joseph, Elizabeth, and John the Baptist,” c. 1485–88

Why is baby Jesus so often naked in religious artwork? To emphasize the mystery of the incarnation — Jesus, fully God, has become fully man, explained Edwards.

In this devotional painting by Italian artist Andrea Mantegna, Mary gazes tenderly at her Son while a young  John the Baptist looks up in awe.

 

“The raising of Lazarus,” 1310–11

Visitors will wait until next year to see this painting by the Italian artist Duccio di Buoninsegna of Italy, which is currently on loan to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

Created as part of the altarpiece made for the high altar of Siena Cathedral, it portrays the moment when Lazarus comes out of the tomb. Despite the crowd of mourners, the gaze between Jesus and Lazarus is palpable.

 

“Christ and the woman of Samaria,” 1619-20

This larger-than-life oil painting of Jesus and the Samaritan woman is framed closely, drawing you into their conversation.

Possibly painted for Pope Gregory XV, the Italian artist Guercino (Giovanni Francesco Barbieri) shadows her face to indicate she doesn’t completely understand Jesus’ offer of living water.

 

Nicholas Poussin, French, “The Sacrament of Ordination, (Christ presenting the keys to Saint Peter),” 1636–40. (NTC/Juan Guajardo)

“The Sacrament of Ordination (Christ presenting the keys to Saint Peter),” 1636–40

Nicholas Poussin created a series of seven oil paintings, each depicting a sacrament.

For Holy Orders, the French painter chose the Gospel account of Christ giving the keys of heaven and Earth to the kneeling Peter.

The background enriches the storytelling. Judas stands at the back of the Twelve Apostles with his face shadowed, and Saint Paul reads in the background, unaware of Jesus.

 

“Christ Blessing,” c. 1500

The incarnation, the resurrection — Giovanni Bellini incorporates details to illustrate both mysteries — if you can tear your eyes away from Jesus’ gaze.

In the background, a shepherd keeps his flock nearby, and the three Marys hurry along the road to tell the Apostles about the empty tomb in this Italian masterpiece.

 

“Supper at Emmaus,” 1538

Having arrived at Emmaus, Jesus breaks bread with the two disciples. The table has the bread and wine of the Eucharist as well as eggs, a symbol of resurrection, and cherries, which can represent the blood of Christ or the sweetness of heaven.

Italian painter Jacopo Bassano creates a different story at the peripheries — two characters who don’t recognize the divinity of Jesus. A serving boy in fine clothing and a plumed hat represents vanity, and a well-fed innkeeper symbolizes the pleasures of the world.

Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth, artwork, fine art, life of Christ, trending-english