Giotto, Christ entering Jerusalem, Arena Chapel, 1305-6, Padua; Italy
Matthew 21
And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.
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.
Today marks the beginning of Easter Week in the Christian world - it is a time of profound meditation & reflection upon some of the great mysteries of the faith. Yet whether we are Christian or not the story of Easter will resonate for all. Over the next week I would like to explore these mysteries further.
We begin here with the beautiful pre- renaissance painting created by Giotto depicting Christ’s entry into Jerusalem. There are numerous paintings of this event yet Giotto’s is particularly lovely - featuring the prized blue pigment - the colour of heaven, as some say, made from the Lapis Lazuli from distant lands so often reserved for the cloak of the Madonna - yet here, it adds such depth & richness to the sky - it is as if Heaven is come to Earth - and in some ways this is what the symbolism of the moment represents.
Although fixed in time - as it were - it is also an ever-present moment. The moment of Christ's arrival into our lives - the coming of Christ Consciousness or at least the promise of it. For surely this is what the moment portends -an opportunity to evolve – to grow – to shine.
What we might all make of such a moment - such an entry of the Divine into our lives - our own city - remains to be seem. What lies ahead for Jesus in the days of the week ahead will be very telling of all who partake in the unfolding story. And this is the story we will follow - but for now it is enough to just gaze upon Giotto’s lovely painting and meditate upon the story to come.
Much love
Anne Maria
x x x
We begin here with the beautiful pre- renaissance painting created by Giotto depicting Christ’s entry into Jerusalem. There are numerous paintings of this event yet Giotto’s is particularly lovely - featuring the prized blue pigment - the colour of heaven, as some say, made from the Lapis Lazuli from distant lands so often reserved for the cloak of the Madonna - yet here, it adds such depth & richness to the sky - it is as if Heaven is come to Earth - and in some ways this is what the symbolism of the moment represents.
Although fixed in time - as it were - it is also an ever-present moment. The moment of Christ's arrival into our lives - the coming of Christ Consciousness or at least the promise of it. For surely this is what the moment portends -an opportunity to evolve – to grow – to shine.
What we might all make of such a moment - such an entry of the Divine into our lives - our own city - remains to be seem. What lies ahead for Jesus in the days of the week ahead will be very telling of all who partake in the unfolding story. And this is the story we will follow - but for now it is enough to just gaze upon Giotto’s lovely painting and meditate upon the story to come.
Much love
Anne Maria
x x x
