Painted in 1601 at age 28
Painted in 1606 at age 33
Above are two paintings by the same artist, Caravaggio, of the same theme, Supper at Emmaus, but painted in two different seasons of Caravaggio’s life. These paintings are based on Luke 24 when two disciples come to recognize Jesus, resurrected, during a meal. Though similar, it is their subtle differences that are intriguing.
I encourage you to meditate on them and really look at the details. Compare and contrast the two. How do they feel? What’s different? Why did Caravaggio revisit this theme? What are they saying to you? Why did he make the changes? What was he trying to communicate about Jesus and that scene? How is God speaking to you personally through these paintings.
I invite you share your heart and thoughts so we can be encouraged, learn, and be shaped by one another. (Hint: There are no right or wrong answers).
21 comments
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November 3, 2007 at 11:15 pm
Raquel
Jeromy, I just challenged verity and jonathon to read The Shack. You want to join the challenge?? Then we’ll all get together (on someone’s blog) and dialog about what we thought.
Wanna??
I’m only about half way through so it could be the suckiest book of the century…
November 4, 2007 at 2:35 am
Jeromy
Th Shack, by William Young? I am always up for a good book discussion. Let me know what the others say, but heck, let’s do it. By the way, how did you come across Jonathon’s blog?
November 4, 2007 at 3:36 pm
Jeromy
Another possibility is to create a group on “facebook” (facebook.com) where we can interact a bit more with each other about the book. Also, I saw two “The Shack” on Amazon, one by William Young, the other by Thomas Mulholland…?
November 5, 2007 at 3:41 am
Raquel
It’s the one by Young… Someone will have to walk me through facebook. (I have an account but I have no idea what to do with it… I think that I may have been the last person on the planet to get a myspace account and now I have to think about facebook :p i feel old.) I’m SUPER excited that you’re willing! Verity is already reading it!
I found Jeromy through a friend of mine who’s dad has a blog and he’s into church planters as well as the EC. I adore good conversation and just couldn’t help myself. hehehe.
You? And any news on the adoption front?? If your wife ever wants to chat, she’s more than welcome!
November 5, 2007 at 3:42 am
Raquel
woops. I meant jonathan. you’re jeromy and I’m raquel.
November 5, 2007 at 4:30 am
Jeromy
Too funny, Verity…oops, I mean Raquel. OK, so Young. I’ll go to Amazon. So Facebook…well, search my name (Jeromy Johnson-Sacramento or Folsom / I have a funky picture of a guy walking towards a stone bench to the left of a tree)…once you find me, add me as a friend (you can even view my friends and add Jonathan). We’ll need to find Verity and then walla, we can create a private group called, oh, I don’t know, “The Shack Readers” or something dumb like that. It allows for a lot more interaction and dialogue then blogging posts.
Re adoption, refer to the long post back on Biggest Looser. I’ll pass the offer onto Jen.
Oh, I by the way…if you leave a comment here, you have to at least engage the blog post…so what are your thoughts about the two paintings? Just know up front that I might have to disagree with you
November 5, 2007 at 5:35 am
Jeromy
OK, so Verity is on facebook and the group we created is called, “The Snack Chat”. I should have the book by Wed-Thur this week.
November 5, 2007 at 3:06 pm
jon | M | holmes
The first one seemed to be lifeless. Caravaggio seemed more interested with painting to the relevance of his era. The second has life. The bent pointing finger of Jesus caught me. It’s a gracious point, not a judgmental gesture, but one that captivates the attention of those present.
November 5, 2007 at 4:36 pm
Jeromy
I see what you’re saying about his gesture. Almost an intimate, tender one; unlike the “proclamation” one above. There almost seems to be an aspect of friendship at the table that his finger helps create. I always wondered why he included the fifth person, the old lady. Any thoughts?
November 6, 2007 at 1:41 am
jon | M | holmes
I don’t know why he added her. But interestingly enough I asked who I connect with most in the painting, and it her. Not sure why, but her humility and presence is more connected with Jesus in the painting, as if the others are ignoring her, trying to block her our… but she refuses to leave. Her presence is courageous.
November 6, 2007 at 4:41 am
Jeromy
Jon,
Very intriguing…he seems to definitely be making a statement with her presence. Courageous. Almost like all are welcome at his table. She seems very rejected. Her face looks very weathered and beat down. Refuses to leave.
You know, I’d really be interested in hearing (or reading) your story. Do you mind sharing it? If not, completely understand.
November 6, 2007 at 7:59 am
Jeromy
I think I found the time issue….how’s this?
November 6, 2007 at 12:57 pm
jonmholmes
You an early riser like me? Noticed the time of your post and had to chuckle.
November 6, 2007 at 12:59 pm
jonmholmes
Oooops. I guess the blogs clock is not set to pacific standard. You’re probably still sleeping away. In real time it is now 4:58 am pst.
November 6, 2007 at 1:03 pm
jonmholmes
Jeromy,
I’d like to share my story, but I would also like to hear yours. How about coffee soon? It looks like I won’t be able to make it on the 15th as a family event has come up. I’ll make sure to catch the next one.
November 6, 2007 at 3:55 pm
Jeromy
Am I up for coffee, what a silly question. You bleed apple juice. I bleed Vanilla Latte with two shots of apple juice. This week or next week works good for me. Let me know what works with your schedule and I’ll adapt, if possible.
November 6, 2007 at 10:13 pm
raquelamisto
Okay, so I finally looked at the paintings and I love the difference that a few years can make!
In the first, the colors and the expressions held by all are rather than offended at Jesus’ suggestion. Jesus looks almost bored with their presence. Even the food on the table is high class. Check out Jesus’ threads! How very Roman.
But in the second painting, the colors are much more realistic, as is the food on the table. Much more humble. The disciples all seem more curious and unsure about what Jesus is saying. Jesus looks more like a teacher… you can see that all want to hear and understand what He’s got to say.
November 6, 2007 at 11:11 pm
Jeromy
Hmm, the first seems very polished, almost still-life like and posed. Bored with their presence, never saw that. High class.
The second, realistic, humble, curious…much more natural and subdued. Yea, they do all seem to be leaning into Him.
Which painting do you identify with? Which person?
November 7, 2007 at 12:15 pm
raquelamisto
I don’t necessarily identify with any one person, but I definitely prefer the second painting… I think that his perception of Jesus looks better with a 5 o’clock shadow
November 7, 2007 at 12:15 pm
raquelamisto
How about you?
November 7, 2007 at 12:49 pm
Jeromy
Yea, he kinda looks like he should be on “Heroes”. I definitely identity with the second one more. I feel more at home in those kind of down to earth settings. It just feels more real, less plastered. I am always attracted to authenticity and openness.
Who? For me, all of them at times. Sometimes I resemble the faceless guy on the left; shocked, pulling back, perhaps afraid. Then there are times where, like the other guy at the table, where I am leaning into Jesus, but still white-knuckle-gripping the edges of the table; tense, but still wanting to hear him. Then I am like the guy standing closest to Jesus; very close in proximity, but standing aloof with my brow furrowed, almost distant. More often, I feel like the women on the outside edge; tired, worn, hurt, but still present with Jesus; aching for a glimpse, but not strong enough to look into his eyes; yearning to hear his words, but the table seems to crowded; Sometimes, all I can do is offer my bread that I am holding with both hands to Jesus and those at the table. Something about her face that I cannot get past.