The Annunciation
Do you have a million ways to avoid doing what you know you really need to do? (Like taxes?)
The Forward Day by Day reading for today had to do with Mary saying “yes” to God.
For my American readers – I bet most of you don’t know that there is an entire chapter in the Qura’n devoted to Mary, and that Muslims also believe Mary conceived as a virgin. I bet you!
Because I have more serious things to do, I spent some time looking for artistic works that showed what I think the Annunciation would have looked like. (To my Muslim readers, The Annunciation is the formal name for when the angel Gabriel – Jabreel – visits Mary and tells her she has been chosen to bear Jesus/Issa and Mary has a choice – and Mary says “Yes!”) (To my American readers – Yep, Gabriel is also in the Qura’n, and also John the Baptist appears as Yahyah.)
Before I go any further, the point of today’s reading is that we are supposed to say “yes” to God/Allah when he gives us a mission to do.
But I got distracted, looking for what I thought the Annunciation would look like. If you are curious, just Google “Annunciation + Art” and you can wile away your life on a huge array of artworks.
I selected a few to share with you that caught my eye.
The first one – this is just truly awful! Look at their sour expressions! The Angel Gabriel looks like he thinks God made a big mistake choosing this wench, and the Virgin looks like she thinks Gabriel is a con man or something. Look at the body language! Look at Gabriel’s hands, it is almost like he is shaking his finger at Mary. Look at Mary, see how she is pulling her robe tighter and looking like “Get this lunatic away from me!” See what you think of this painting by Martini:
To me, this one comes the closest in what I think Mary would have looked like – a 14 year old Palestinian girl. Even her clothing looks right to me. And look at her hands – her hands say “it is too awesome for me to understand, and I accept. It is a Coptic icon:
I love the feeling of this one, and that the artist captures the simplicity of “Mary” caught in her normal daily routines, surrounded by her household items and the awe and astonishment of the moment:
And here is my very favorite by Caravaggio. I love the protective posture of the angel, and the complete submission in Mary’s posture, I love the presence of God in the light shining on them both, and I love the way Caravaggio captures the feeling of enormous awe – it doesn’t take gilt and sumptuousness, the glorious essence of this moment was simple – Mary said “yes.”:
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Your post sure brought some memories. You see I took a religion class about 2 years ago and it was a brief yet cumulative class about Judaism/Christianity/Islam. I remember an essay question when I took the Christianity exam (it was the 2nd midterm quiz) and the question was to write a short written essay regarding “The Annunciation”. I think I’ve done well when I took that test.
I also remember another Christian term called “Transubstantiation” which is change of the substance of bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. I believe it is used exclusively in Catholicism…am I right?
No, Angelo, “transubstantiation” is commonly used in Christianity for the mystery of the bread and wine becoming flesh and blood. You know how families fight? Our Christian families have had HUGE fights over whether the bread and wine literally changes substance or symbolically changes substance. Can’t we argue over the most amazing things?
I think the devil LOVES to get us arguing heatedly over these things. It totally distracts us from loving God and loving our neighbor.
I would have loved to see YOUR essay on the Annunciation! I’m guessing you are Muslim? Did you ace the part on Islam? π
I love the way you draw both Muslim and Christian friends into the discussion. I wonder what our Muslim friends think of the use of art to portray Mary as I think the portrayal of the human form (especially saints) is a big no no.Having said that I do have a (photocopied) collection of Islamic art (Chinese 14th Century)) which portray different events from the history of Prophet Muhammad. I loved your collection of pictures on the Annunciation and I think that art is a powerful tool for teaching on different religious issues. Is there a contemporary Islamic art form which is used for teaching on Islam?
Welcome, RevQ8! Hmmm. I just had a moment of inter-cultural/cross cultural blindness. I totally forgot about the prohibition of using human forms. Is that Qura’anic, or cultural?
First off, kudos on this post! π
I want to comment on the artwork depicting the Annunciation (and Christian artwork in general). It is interesting how each artist would depict his/her own cultural/ethnic/environmental background within his/her work. This is particularly evident in the Coptic icon and the African one above. The Coptic artist used earth-colors (the brown, yellow …etc) hues that are very close to the nature of their environment. Also the facial expression of both Mary and Gabriel are very Eastern.
The African icon is just absolutely beautiful. It just shows how simple of a life the artist had around him (in his/her society and community). It’s also very relaxed and nonchalant. Again, the colors and the elements are extracted right out of a typical African village. It just shows to what extent religion is absorbed within a community. The story of the Annunciation has become very elemental in that African community that the artist felt it happened right there amongst them.
And of course Caravaggio’s is astonishing. The ambiance set is one of deep faith and the moment just feels eternal. Typical Baroque π
Thank you for checking in, Kinan. I always know you are going to add something meaningful to the discussion. I love how you love the African one – just as you point out, to me it has the feeling of how it could really happen – the angel catches her in the middle of a normal day; she is caught by surprise in so many ways – and illuminated, and honored – and a little dismayed and overwhelmed, too.
I liked the African one too. What is with the finger in the other three? It reminds me, irreverently, of the “Flying Fickle Finger of Fate” from “LaughIn” days.
i love the first one! can’t you understand the shock and confusion mary must have felt?how would you feel as a thirteen year old girl, when an angel comes to you and tells you that you are going to have the child of the lord?imagine the confusion…why would he pick me? why a poor, normal girl? in what way have i deserved this? she was most certainly frightened… and unwilling. What a burden to place on someones shoulders!i mean yes… the second one with her arms outstretched and open is a nice idea. But there is no way anybody would except a surprise like that without feeling confused and scared! best to paint a picture that was likely and realistic.
I agree, Crystal. One of my favorite parts in the Bible is where it says “and Mary pondered these things in her heart.” That was a BIG “yes”.
Thank you for this posting. I will be using these images in an adult Sunday School small group this coming Sunday as we ponder those times when we have experienced God’s claim on our own lives; not, perhaps, in such a dramatic or earth-shattering way as Mary, but in our own way nonetheless.
Good morning, Bird of Paradise – I am delighted these images will be helpful to you.
So many people complain about the Internet being a pit of evil. It’s a tool – and can help one access so much good. It’s all about how it’s used, isn’t it? I wish you a stimulating discussion, and insights that will live through the Advent Season. +
After I posted my last post wordpress said I might be interested in your blog. I liked this posting a lot! I would live your opinion on my site.
http://www.thecontemplativehousewife.wordpress.com
oops – I would like your opinion on my site π
Contemplative – I like your blog a lot!
You need an About page, and contact info. You might want to make your paragraphs shorter; it has to do with attention span. People these days don’t spend a lot of time reading, they tend to scan.
On the other hand, the content is worth slowing down for and taking time with. I think you have a book in the making.