The Trinity in its Glory, by Jean Fouquet, 1445 © Musée Condé, Chantilly, France
June 7, 2020 – John 3: 16-18
Jesus said to Nicodemus:
“God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son,
so that all who believe in him do not get lost
but can have eternal life.
For God sent his Son into the world
do not condemn the world,
but that through him the world may be saved.
Whoever believes in him will not be condemned;
but he who refuses to believe is already condemned,
because he refused to believe in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Reflection on the illuminated handwritten miniature
Today, the first Sunday after Pentecost, we celebrate the Holy Trinity, the three persons of God: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Our image today is taken from Hours of Etienne Chevalier, an illuminated medieval manuscript, commissioned by Etienne Chevalier, treasurer of King Charles VII of France, by the miniature painter Jean Fouquet. It shows a lavishly decorated palace hall with an orange halo bordered by angels enclosing a bright yellow light emanating from each person of the Trinity, seated on a monumental triple throne. Each Person of the Trinity is illustrated in exactly the same way. Identical. Same importance. Notice their hand pose with all three fingers raised, which we discussed in yesterday’s reflection.
We are part of the row of people at the bottom of the illustration, looking at the Trinity, Our Lady on her throne, the angels, the saints, the bishops, the kings… Living the message of the Gospel means that we have to move from the shadows of darkness to the light so beautifully illustrated here. It almost looks like a sun. In prayer, we open ourselves to the light of the Trinity, much like the sun in the heat of the sun… the soft, bright light that illuminates us and warms us completely.
CONNECTIONS
Today’s story – https://christianart.today/reading.php?id=445
Christian art today – www.christian.art
A video of prayer for Pentecost – www.christian.art/videos.php
Key words: Christian art today, Patrick van der Vorst, Trinity
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