Caravaggio’s Artistic Journey: From Rest on the Flight into Egypt to Judith Beheading Holofernes
Caravaggio’s Artistic Evolution
Rest on the Flight into Egypt (1596)
This painting depicts a moment of rest with the Holy Family. Joseph gathers dates for the child, showcasing Caravaggio’s attention to detail and realism. The reddish hues of the trees suggest the end of summer. The scene draws parallels to the Song of Songs, highlighting the Virgin’s beauty and purity. The inclusion of music is a novel element, with Joseph holding a score and an angel playing. Joseph’s realism is evident in his
Read MoreUnderstanding the Bible, Palestine, and Gospels: Key Concepts
The Bible: A Long Process
The Bible began to be written a thousand years before Christ and concludes at the end of the first century of our era. We can distinguish different stages:
- A major event occurs.
- Reflection upon this event provides a religious meaning to what happened.
- This reflection is transmitted orally from generation to generation.
- These oral traditions are eventually written down, sometimes centuries later.
- These books on rolls are read in family and religious celebrations.
- All of these books
Key Concepts of Hinduism
Deities
Brahman
The universal soul and Supreme Being; the eternal spirit from which all things originate and to which they return.
Brahma
A deity considered the creator of the universe; part of the Hindu Trinity.
Vishnu
A deity considered the preserver of the universe; part of the Hindu Trinity.
Shiva
A deity considered the destroyer and restorer of the universe; part of the Hindu Trinity.
Krishna
The eighth incarnation of the god Vishnu.
Rama
The seventh incarnation of God Vishnu; the hero in the Hindu epic
Read MoreChristian Faith: Beliefs, Reason, and Following Christ
The Truth to Believe as a Christian
Key Manifestations of Christian Faith:
- Believing in one God and the truths He has revealed.
- For Christians, believing in God is inseparable from believing in Jesus Christ, His beloved Son.
- Believing in God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ means believing in the Holy Spirit.
Christians are to believe all the truths contained in the Creed. Christian faith involves a full commitment to the symbol of faith and all the truths revealed within it. It’s not a matter of
Read MoreNotre Dame Cathedral & Ghent Altarpiece: History & Art
Notre Dame Cathedral: A Gothic Masterpiece
Notre Dame: The construction of this cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture, was launched at the behest of the bishop of Paris, Maurice de Sully. It exhibits the same structural elements as other great cathedrals of the time, such as Saint Denis, Laon, and Senlis, including the framework for the facade of two towers, three open gates, and the large central rosette. However, in this case, the architectural proportions of this building are of perfect
Read MoreChrist and the Church: Universal Sacrament of Salvation
Following the downward arrow at each stage, we approach everyday life. God becomes visible in history. Following the upward arrow, man’s life ascends, step by step, to the revelation of the true face of God.
The sacramental life constantly makes this double movement: God comes to man, and man goes to God. Jesus Christ, through his Church, appears as the path that unites man with God.
If a sacrament, in the religious sense, means revelation and gift of God’s salvation in and through an outward and
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