Art Talk: Holy Week Art

Today is Easter and is the end and culminating celebration of Holy Week.

Below is art from around the world and through the years (1495-present). I also included scripture, music and my thoughts about each of the days in Holy week. I took liberty with some of the days and what they mean to me since the scriptures done explicitly say what happened.

HOLY WEEK

Day 1, Palm Sunday

Albrecht Durer, German
Christ's Entry into Jerusalem , 1508
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, New York

Source

In this etching by Albrecht Durer we see Jesus on a donkey riding into Jerusalem. One man is shown holding a palm frond and by the donkey's head another is seen putting his clothes down for Christ.

My favorite part of the scripture below is when the people cry Hosanna. The Hebrew meaning of Hosanna is "Pray, save us"! There is so much in this world that is difficult. I also shout Hosana! And believe with so many others that

Jesus Christ, the source of light, life, and love. Dieter F Uchdorft

I like the people in the scripture will make way for Christ in my life.

Matt 21: 7-11

7 And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon.

8 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.

9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.

10 And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this?

11 And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.

Day 2, Monday

El Greco, Spain
Purification of the Temple, 1600
Frick Collection, New York City, New York
Source

Matt 21: 12
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,

To some this may seem inconsistent of a loving, kind God. I think the opposite and am grateful that he can and will drive out that which is destructive and hurtful.

This week, and always I will work to cleanse my heart.

Day 3, Tuesday

Jolynn Forman, United States
The Widow's Mite
Etsy

Follow Jesus arrival in Jerusalem and before his death and resurrection he taught the people. One of the stories is of the Widow's Mite.

Source

March 12: 41-44

And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.

And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.

And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:

For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

I want to be like this widow and give all that I have to Christ and His work.

Day 4, Holy Wednesday

Vincent van Gogh, Dutch
The Raising of Lazarus, 1890
Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

We are unsure what exactly happened on Wednesday. I believe he continued to teach, do miracles and was with friends. A beautiful time when he taught, was with friends and did miracles is when he raised Lazarus from the dead.

John 11:43-44
And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.

And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

For the whole story John 11:1-44
Christ loved this family so much! .

I took this picture at the Van Gogh Museum

I will seek and expect miracles in my life as counseled by President Nelson.

Day 5, Maundy Thursday

I chose the Last Supper by Leonardo di Vinci as the art piece for today, because it is one of the most famous works of art depicting an event during this week.

Jesus observed Passover with his disciples, institute the sacrament, washed the disciples feet (maundy) and commanded them to “love one another", suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane and was betrayed by Judas.

Leonardo di Vinci, Italy
The Last Supper, 1495-1498
Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, Italy

Source

Luke 22: 14-20

And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.

And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:

For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.

And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:

For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.

And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

How do I remember Christ and all that he has done for me?

Day 6, Good Friday

Rembrandt van Rijn, Dutch
Christ Crucified Between Two Thieves: The Three Crosses, 1653
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, New York

Source

Matt: 27: 1, 31, 38, 50, 55

When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:

And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.

Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.

Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.

And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him:

For the whole story see Matt 27:1-61

Today is Good Friday, remembrance of the crucifixion of Christ. This beautiful etching by Rembrandt is a vivid depiction of the scene at his death. For more information about the etching and it's humanity, see the video below.

Day 7, Holy Saturday

Michelangelo, Italy
Pieta, 1498- 1499
Saint Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, Rome, Italy

The bible does not record events for Saturday. It would have been a great day of mourning for his disciples. I choose The Pieta by Michelangelo to signify this time of mourning.

I took this pictures in 2019 when in Rome, Italy

Day 8, Easter Sunday

Tim Carey, United States
The Resurrection Window, Current
Resurrection, A United Church in Leawood Kansas

With my current interest in stained glass I wanted one of the pieces I highlighted this week to be stained glass. I found this incredible resurrection window in a church in Kansas. Now, I really want to go see it.

To me Easter and Christ's resurrection signifies hope and strength. Hope that I get to see and be with my loved ones again. Strength to follow Jesus Christ who did so much for me and who loves me so much.

I will leave you with a couple beautiful songs by the Choir at Temple Square.