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thevcs.bsky.social
The Visual Commentary on Scripture
@thevcs.bsky.social
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http://TheVCS.org is a free, online resource that provides material for teaching, preaching, researching, and reflecting on the Bible, Art, and Theology based @kcltrs.bsky.social
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British New Testament Society @bntsoc.bsky.social · 2d
New from @thevcs.bsky.social - Bible and Art Daily will take you on a series of journeys through the world of Scripture and the history of art. Watch the exclusive preview by @benquash.bsky.social here: www.youtube.com/shorts/Mpy9w...
Bible and Art Daily: Exclusive Preview
YouTube video by The Visual Commentary on Scripture VCS
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The Visual Commentary on Scripture @thevcs.bsky.social · 1d
Our exhibition of the week on Psalm 27 features three medieval psalters.

Psalters made in the Mosan region of the Netherlands expanded their response to the words of the #psalm with a typological image of Christ healing the blind man.

Find out more:

thevcs.org/lord-my-ligh...
UNKNOWN BELGIAN ARTIST [LIÈGE] Psalm 27 (26 Vulgate), Initial showing Christ healing the Blind Man, from a Psalter, c.1290–1305, Illumination on vellum, 160 x 110 mm, The Morgan Library & Museum, New York; MS M.155 fol. 22v, The Morgan Library & Museum, New York
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David B. Gowler @dgowler.bsky.social · 1d
I mentioned these Hogarth murals in my @thevcs.bsky.social Good Samaritan essay and almost included them in my The Parables after Jesus book. Glad they are now open to the public!
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The Guardian @theguardian.com · 1d
Restored Hogarth murals at London hospital open to public for first time
Restored Hogarth murals at London hospital open to public for first time
St Bartholomew’s hopes 18th-century satirist’s two large-scale paintings will become a must-see for art fans They had remained almost unseen for 300 years, but now two of William Hogarth’s masterpiece murals are available to the public for the first time. The North Wing at St Bartholomew’s hospital in London, which contains The Pool of Bethesda and The Good Samaritan – two large-scale murals by the British painter – has opened after a £9.5m restoration project. Continue reading...
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The Visual Commentary on Scripture @thevcs.bsky.social · 3d
Take a better look at Sassetta's painting in our exhibition on Matthew 10:16–36 and Luke 12:2–12, 49–53:

thevcs.org/sheep-among-...
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The Visual Commentary on Scripture @thevcs.bsky.social · 3d
Today is St Francis of Assisi's feast day.

In this panel by Sassetta, we see the young saint standing naked under a colonnade in front of his raging father, Pietro Bernardone. Bishop Guido of Assisi shields #Francis while imploring his enraged father to restrain himself.
SASSETTA Saint Francis renounces his Earthly Father, 1437–44, Egg tempera on wood, 87.5 x 52.4 cm, The National Gallery, London; Bought with contributions from the Art Fund, Benjamin Guinness and Lord Bearsted, 1934, NG4758, Courtesy National Gallery London
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The Visual Commentary on Scripture @thevcs.bsky.social · 6d
On this day, read about these scapegoats in our exhibitions on Leviticus 15–18 and Matthew 27:1–10:

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thevcs.org/death-judas#...
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The Visual Commentary on Scripture @thevcs.bsky.social · 6d
Leviticus 16 follows with the priestly instructions for the Day of Atonement, better known as #YomKippur.

In the same chapter we read about the scapegoat, famously painted by William Holman Hunt, but also depicted by James Tissot.
WILLIAM HOLMAN HUNT The Scapegoat, 1854–56, Oil on canvas, 86 x 140 cm, Lady Lever Art Gallery, Port Sunlight; LL 3623, Bridgeman Images JAMES TISSOT Agnus-Dei: The Scapegoat (Agnus-Dei. Le bouc émissaire), 1886–94, Opaque watercolour over graphite on grey wove paper, 256 x 171 mm, Brooklyn Museum; Purchased by public subscription, 00.159.265, Brooklyn Museum of Art, New York, USA / Bridgeman Images
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thevcs.bsky.social
The Visual Commentary on Scripture @thevcs.bsky.social · 7d
In this film, VCS Director @benquash.bsky.social interviews the legendary American composer Steve Reich.

They discuss the profound role of the Bible in transforming both the subject matter and style of Reich’s music.

Click here for this 'Creative Conversation':

thevcs.org/creative-con...
Creative Conversations: Ben Quash with Steve Reich
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The Visual Commentary on Scripture @thevcs.bsky.social · 9d
Have you watched @benquash.bsky.social in conversation with Harmonia Rosales?

Harmonia's roots in Yoruba culture have inspired her engagement with biblical stories and artistic traditions as conversation partners for her work.

Click here to watch our film:

thevcs.org/creative-con...
Creative Conversations: Ben Quash with Harmonia Rosales
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The Visual Commentary on Scripture @thevcs.bsky.social · 10d
Our Exhibition of the Week is called 'Treasures in Heaven' and is on Matthew 13:44–52.

It features a fifth-century Roman mosaic, a fourth-century mosaic in Aquileia, and an icon by Fr. Serafim Aldea.

Click here to read the comparative commentary:

thevcs.org/treasures-he...
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The Visual Commentary on Scripture @thevcs.bsky.social · 12d
“Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.” (Matt. 13:52)

St Thaney's story models ‘new things from old’ in another way. Read about this week's third work:

thevcs.org/treasures-he...
FR. SERAFIM St Thaney – Protector of the Abused, 2017, Egg or acrylic on board, 26.5 cm x 19.3 cm (large version), Mull Monastery, Isle of Mull; Courtesy Fr. Serafim Aldea
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The Visual Commentary on Scripture @thevcs.bsky.social · 13d
To a modern eye, this detail from a 4th-c. mosaic seems to show angels catching fish. To an affluent ancient Roman viewer, it would probably recall seascapes that they had seen in luxury villas.

Read about this mosaic in our exhibition of the week:

thevcs.org/treasures-he...
UNKNOWN ARTIST Fishing scene, 4th century, Mosaic, Basilica Patriarcale di Santa Maria Assunta, Aquileia; Cameraphoto Arte, Venice / Art Resource, NY
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thevcs.bsky.social
The Visual Commentary on Scripture @thevcs.bsky.social · 15d
This week's exhibition is on Matthew 13:44–52 and is called 'Treasures in Heaven'.

We first take a look at this fifth-century mosaic in which the three Magi find the Christ child, seated on a throne, beneath the star that has guided them thus far:

thevcs.org/treasures-he...
UNKNOWN ARTIST Adoration of the Magi, mosaic on the triumphal arch of the nave, 5th century, Mosaic, Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome; Luisa Ricciarini / Bridgeman Images
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The Visual Commentary on Scripture @thevcs.bsky.social · 16d
Happy #RoshHashanah!

During the Jewish New Year festival pomegranates are traditionally eaten in hopes of prosperity and abundance in the year ahead.

Read about Israeli painter Reuven Rubin's pomegranates in our exhibition on Psalm 72:

thevcs.org/long-live-ki...
REUVEN RUBIN Pomegranates, 1942, Oil on canvas, 22.9 x 35.8 cm, The Jewish Museum, New York; Gift of Ambassador and Mrs. Benson E.L. Timmons III, 1981-20, ©️ Rubin Museum Foundation; Photo by Richard Goodbody, Inc. The Jewish Museum, New York / Art Resource, NY
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The Visual Commentary on Scripture @thevcs.bsky.social · 19d
The third work in this week's exhibition is Rubens' interpretation of the meeting of David and Abigail.

Abigail has dismounted from her donkey and is kneeling on the ground, pointing to the loaves of bread that the servants have brought with them.

thevcs.org/abigail-wife...
PETER PAUL RUBENS The Meeting of David and Abigail, c.1630, Oil on panel, 46.4 x 68 cm, National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.; Bequest of Lore Heinemann in memory of her husband, Dr. Rudolf J. Heinemann, 1997.57.8, Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
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thevcs.bsky.social
The Visual Commentary on Scripture @thevcs.bsky.social · 20d
Guido Reni paints David standing confrontationally in front of Abigail.

This is a moment of spiritual realisation: David understands that YHWH has sent this woman to show him the path of justice, and to direct him away from the exacting of retribution.

thevcs.org/abigail-wife...
GUIDO RENI The Meeting of David and Abigail, c.1615–20, Oil on canvas, 156.2 x 163.8 cm, Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk, VA; Gift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr., 71.524, Courtesy Chrysler Museum of Art
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The Visual Commentary on Scripture @thevcs.bsky.social · 23d
This illumination in the so-called Crusader Bible is one of very few works to depict not only the encounter between David and Abigail, but also the subsequent events involving Nabal.

Find out more in this week's exhibition, 'Abigail, Wife of Nabal':

thevcs.org/abigail-wife...
UNKNOWN FRENCH ARTIST [PARIS] Abigail Cools David's Wrath, Nabal Terrified, Nabal's Death, from The Crusader Bible (The Morgan Picture Bible), c.1244–54, Illumination on vellum, 390 x 300 mm, The Morgan Library & Museum, New York; Purchased by J.P. Morgan (1867–1943) in 1916, MS M.638, fol. 33v, The Morgan Library & Museum, New York UNKNOWN FRENCH ARTIST [PARIS] Abigail Cools David's Wrath, Nabal Terrified, Nabal's Death, from The Crusader Bible (The Morgan Picture Bible), c.1244–54, Illumination on vellum, 390 x 300 mm, The Morgan Library & Museum, New York; Purchased by J.P. Morgan (1867–1943) in 1916, MS M.638, fol. 33v, The Morgan Library & Museum, New York
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The Visual Commentary on Scripture @thevcs.bsky.social · 24d
Our Exhibition of the Week is called 'The Narrow Gate'.

Written by artist Zara Worth, it features her own work 'Think of a door (temptation/redemption)', as well as works by Derek Hirst and Hélio Oiticica.

Find out more by following the link:

thevcs.org/narrow-gate#...
Matthew 7:13–14, 22–23; Luke 13:22–30 The Narrow Gate Commentaries by Zara Worth
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thevcs.bsky.social
The Visual Commentary on Scripture @thevcs.bsky.social · 26d
The installation 'PN1 Penetrável' by Brazilian artist Hélio Oiticica is composed of narrow doors, echoing Matthew 7:13–14 and Luke 13:22–30.

Click here to read about the third artwork in our exhibition of the week:

thevcs.org/narrow-gate#...
Hélio Oiticica Penetrável PN1 (installed at Centro de Arte Hélio Oiticica, Rio de Janeiro, 2008), 1960, Oil on wood, 203 x 150 x 150 cm, Centro Municipal de Arte Hélio Oiticica, Rio de Janeiro; Courtesy Hélio Oiticica Project
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The Visual Commentary on Scripture @thevcs.bsky.social · 28d
Derek Hirst’s golden door, 'Puerta Grande De Oro', is beguiling and evasive. In Luke’s Gospel Jesus is similarly evasive when asked in the course of his teaching who will gain entry to the kingdom.

Read about this work in our exhibition 'The Narrow Gate':

thevcs.org/narrow-gate#...
DEREK HIRST Puerta Grande De Oro, 1998–99, Mixed media on board, 101 x 101 cm; ©️ Derek Hirst Estate, courtesy Flowers Gallery
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The Visual Commentary on Scripture @thevcs.bsky.social · 29d
Is your phone a portal to paradise, or eternal torment?⁣
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Artist Zara Worth explores this and similar questions in her work, 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘥𝘰𝘰𝘳, and in our exhibition of the week, 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘕𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘸 𝘎𝘢𝘵𝘦:

thevcs.org/narrow-gate#...
ZARA WORTH Think of a door (temptation/redemption), 2022, LED lighting and imitation gold leaf on polythene, Dimensions variable; Image courtesy of the artist
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The Visual Commentary on Scripture @thevcs.bsky.social · Sep 7
Our Exhibition of the Week is called 'Balaam and the Ass' and is on Numbers 22:1–35.

It features a manuscript by Rudolf von Ems, and paintings by Miss Lassie and Rembrandt.

Read Bridget Nichols' comparative commentary:

thevcs.org/balaam-and-a...
Numbers 22:1–35 Balaam and the Ass Commentaries by Bridget Nichols
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The Visual Commentary on Scripture @thevcs.bsky.social · Sep 5
In our third work of art this week, #Rembrandt’s treatment of Balaam has elements of sheer comic hyperbole.

He has exploited the motif of sight to the full: the professional seer does not see the angel, yet the female animal does. Find out more here:

thevcs.org/balaam-and-a...
REMBRANDT VAN RIJN Balaam and the Donkey, 1626, Oil on panel, 63 x 46.5 cm, Musée Cognacq-Jay, Paris; J 95, Album / Art Resource, NY
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The Visual Commentary on Scripture @thevcs.bsky.social · Sep 3
Gladwyn K. Bush, nicknamed ‘Miss Lassie’, was a fourth generation Cayman Islander. Self-taught, she began to paint at the age of 62 and had a prolific career.

Today, we look at her highly-original treatment of this week's subject, 'Balaam and the Ass':

thevcs.org/balaam-and-a...
GLADWYN K. BUSH (MISS LASSIE) Balaam and the Ass, 1995, Oil on canvas, 52 x 101 cm, National Gallery of the Cayman Islands; Gift of John Owen, CMG, MBE and Carol Owen, MBE, Collection of the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands, Licensed by the Cayman National Cultural Foundation
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The Visual Commentary on Scripture @thevcs.bsky.social · Sep 1
The three central figures from Numbers 22:1–35—Balaam, the ass, and the angel—appear in this manuscript version of the Austrian poet Rudolf von Ems’s compilation of salvific events in world history.

Read about it in our exhibition of the week, 'Balaam and the Ass':

thevcs.org/balaam-and-a...
RUDOLF VON EMS Balaam's Ass, from the Weltchronik, about 1400–10, Tempera colours, gold, silver paint, and ink, 33.5 x 23.5 cm, J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles; Ms. 33 (88.MP.70), fol. 105v, Digital image courtesy of the Getty's Open Content Program
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