Art Talk: Christ's life through art at NGA

Earlier this year I went to the National Gallery of Art in DC. I am drawn to the Italian and Netherland Renaissance art. During this visit I decided to find art depicting Christ's life.

It is so interesting to me to see how different artist portray these passages of scripture from the Bible.

Annunciation

This is one of my very favorite paintings in the museum. It is an exquisite piece by Jan van Eyck.

In Luke 1:28-31 we find the angel telling Mary she will be the mother of Jesus.

And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among a women.

And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name a Jesus.

Jan van Eyck
The Annunciation, 1434/1436

Nativity

Luke 2: 6-7

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Duccio Di Buoninsegna, 1308-1311

Lorenzo Lotto, 1523

Adoration

Adoration of the Shepherds,
Giorgione, 1505/1510
This is another of my favorite paintings in the museum.

The Adoration of the Magi
Fra Angelico, Fra Filippo Lippi, 1440/1460

Matt. 2:1-2

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

Sandro Botticelli, 1478/1482

Presentation in the Temple

Master of the Prado "Adoration of the Magi"
The Presentation in the Temple, 1470/1480

Luke 2:22, 24

And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;

And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

Madonna and Child

A very popular genre is painting Mary and the infant or young child, Jesus. Sometimes he even looks like a little man in Mary's arms.

Raphael
The Alba Madonna, 1510

Flight into Egypt

Matt 2:13-14

And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:

Vittore Carpaccio
The Flight into Egypt, 1515

Baptism of Christ

Master of the Saint Bartholomew Altar
The Baptism of Christ, 1485/1500

Matt 3:16-17

And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:

And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Marriage at Cana

Master of the Catholic Kings
The Marriage at Cana, 1495/1497

John 2:1-3, 8-11

And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:
And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.
And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.
Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.
And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.
When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,
And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.
This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

The Cleansing of the Temple

Matt 21:12-13

And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,

And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.

El Greco
Christ Cleansing the Temple, 1570

The Crucifixion

Another very popular theme is the crucifixion of Christ.

And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of aa skull,
They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.
And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.

Lamentation

Mark 27:55-57

And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him:
Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s children.
When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathæa, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus’ disciple:
He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered.
And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,


Andrea Solario, 1505-1507		Jacopo Palma Il Giovane, 1620

The National Gallery of Art is my favorite museum. I went often while living in DC and know it so well. I have been wanting to tell the story of Christ's life with words and art for some time. I hope you enjoyed it.

Sources:
King James Version of the New Testament
National Gallery of Art

I took all the photos, while in the museum in April 2022.