A work of art for the Second Sunday of Easter
Benjamin West (1730-1820), The Incredulity of Saint Thomas, c. 1790-1800, oil/canvas, 96,5 x 127 cm, Temple Newsam House, Leeds Museums and Galleries
Following John’s narrative, the darkness and the long wall of the background set the episode at night, behind closed doors. The apostles are divided in two groups on each side of Jesus and Thomas, who are facing each other on the foreground. The light falls on Christ, draped in red. Facing us, He is quietly presenting himself to Thomas. The painter used a vermillion red and not the usual white of the risen Christ to evoke his Passion and the stigmata that Thomas wanted to see and touch. Placed in the shadow, Thomas turns his back on us. We only see his hand touching the wound on the side of Christ. The striking note of this picture is the slight grimace of pain on the face of Jesus, which underlines the reality of his resurrection.
This painting is attributed to Benjamin West, a British North American artist who had a successful career in England. He was one of the first artists to bring back religious subjects in British art.
No comments:
Post a Comment