Fra Filippo Lippi, Madonna and Child (Madonna col Bambino) (detail), ca. 1466–69; Provincia di Firenze, Palazzo Medici Riccardi, Florence
THE HUMAN SIDE
How might we celebrate our best Advent? What might we do to experience its tranquility, while at the same time its intensity? Philosopher Josef Pieper would suggest spending contemplative moments during the season. And how might this happen?
Some time ago, the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington had the exhibition, “Picturing Mary: Woman, Mother, Idea.” With outstanding works from the Renaissance to sensational paintings by Sandro Botticelli and Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, “Picturing Mary” portrays the mother of Jesus in art as it developed in the Western world.
I visited the exhibition three times, contemplating the beautiful portraits of Mary’s life. Each time, I experienced an awesome tranquility and the intensity of Mary’s life.
According to Pieper, such an experience is the epitome of celebration: being totally there, gazing and imbibing in the beauty of the moment.
Each painting I viewed depicted an aspect of Mary’s life I had never really thought of before.
For example, as I pictured Mary with her mother, I wondered what their relationship was like. Was her mother Anne at her side daily as Mary awaited the Christ child’s birth? What did they talk about? Was there an atmosphere of wonderment and exuberance?
In another painting, Jesus and St. John the Baptist are portrayed as babies playing together. What must that relationship have been like, and how did Mary and Elizabeth feel observing the two boys together?
One painting showed St. Luke in his study surrounded by medical books, and underneath his desk is a dog, symbolizing faithfulness and commitment. St. Luke’s Gospel is full of stories about Mary. What was St. Luke’s relationship with Mary like? Were they close?
In another image, St. Joseph is portrayed holding a sheet of music as an angel plays the violin while Mary holds the Christ child in her arms as he sleeps peacefully. As husband and wife, how did Joseph and Mary support each other, I wondered. What did they discuss and how did they see the future?
As my imagination lit up, I realized what Pieper meant by true celebration: to be totally there in contemplation, drinking in the beauty of the moment, the same beauty and awesomeness we are encouraged to experience during the Advent season by contemplating the Holy Family’s life.
