Jan
8
Ecce Agnus Dei
This "Ecce Agnus Dei" (ETCH-ay AHNG-nyoos DAY) banner is a classic inclusion in windows or paintings of St. John the Baptist. Ecce Agnus Dei is Latin for:
Behold the Lamb of God.
John the Baptist spoke these words twice in the first chapter of John's Gospel as Jesus was approaching (vv.19, 36). Those with John the Baptist—Andrew and another (tradition suggests John, the Gospel Writer) seemed to understand this title for Jesus. Perhaps they immediately understood that John was connecting Jesus to the unblemished lambs sacrificed in Exodus 12. The cross carrying the banner foreshadows Jesus' Crucifixion later on in the Gospel.
St. John the Baptist
by Joseph de Figueroa; 1790—Santa Fe de Bogotá, New Granada
Bandera Natural History and Art Museum
How John knew that Jesus would be sacrificed like a Passover lamb, is as striking as when John—in-utero recognized Jesus—in-utero; when the not-yet-born John leapt in his mother's womb as Mary with her not-yet-born Jesus approached (Luke 1:41). A New Testament Prophet and mystic, indeed!
The BookThis book in St. John the Baptist's hand likely symbolizes his knowledge of Old Testament scripture—especially the story of the ten plagues in Egypt—the tenth describing the sacrifice of unblemished lambs to save the Israelite families from the angel of death.
Jesus as an Unblemished Lamb
Willing to be sacrificed to take away the sins of the world.Note the face of this lamb. As "The Lamb" looks up at his cousin, John the Baptist, he seems calm, trusting, and gentle. Also consider the front bent leg of "The Lamb." It looks almost like a cross itself. The hosts at Secrets of Sacred Art helped me to brainstorm this portrayal; they reminded me that another classic Lamb of God portrayal is with a bent front leg holding a banner and/or cross. It's intriguing to consider ... did the artist decide that a second cross or banner would distract from the painting? Or did he want the bent leg to look somewhat like a cross? Or ...?
A Few Lamb of God with Bent Knee Comparisons:
Once I started looking, I saw these Lamb of God images everywhere! If you have a Lamb of God depiction from your church, please e-mail it to me ... I'll add it to the collection!
Bandera Natural History and Art Museum
St. Stanislaus Church—Bandera, TX
All Saints Catholic Church—St. Peters, Missouri
Photograph by Nheyob
Soroksár—Budapest, Hungary
Photograph by Pasztilla aka Attila Terbócs
San Fernando Cathedral—San Antonio, TX
Little Flower Basilica—San Antonio, TX
More Detail on the St. John the Baptist painting by Joseph de Figueroa (1790):
A Star in St. John the Baptist's Halo?Some resources, mostly Orthodox, call St. John the Baptist a Morning Star, symbolizing how he announced the dawning of the ministry of his cousin, Jesus. It is possible that the small white mark in the center of St. John the Baptist's halo represents this Morning Star analogy.
"... the one who is coming after me ...
—John 1:27
John's eyes are worth considering too. In contrast to the trusting, gentle look of The Lamb, John the Baptist's eyes are more serious. Rather than looking at "The Lamb of God," he is gazing out. His eyes seem like those of a mystic. Pondering, meditative, absorbing.
Camel Skin & Red CloakThis portion of the picture shows edges of the camel hair garment worn by John the Baptist. The red cloak symbolizes how he was to be martyred—beheaded by order of Herod Antipas.
Blue-ish/Gray-ish BackgroundTake a moment to ponder the background of this painting. Flemish painters often painted backdrop landscapes in blues and grays. This inclusion suggests that the Colonial Spain artist, Joseph de Figueroa, may have been exposed to Flemish artistry.
Some Intriguing ScriptSome heady teamwork and pain-staking computer translating came up with the following translations:
Domca. 1a. de Quarma. Inda. Plena.
Day of the Lord 1st Sunday of Lent Plenary Indulgence
Dominica 9a. Sabado. Indulgencia
Day of the Lord (Sunday) 9th Saturday Indulgence
Plena. y se saca alma del Purgatorio.
And retrieves the souls from Purgatory.
Dominica de Ramos. Indulga Plenara.
Palm Sunday Plenary Indulgence
Juebes Indulga. Plena. Sabado Inda. Plena.
Thursday Plenary Indulgence Saturday Plenary Indulgence
Sabado de Pasqua. Indulga. Plena.
Holy Saturday Plenary Indulgence
Domingo de Espiritu Sto. Inda. Plena.
Sunday of the Holy Spirit (Pentecost) Plenary Indulgence
Joseph de Figueroa,
Faciebat — He made it.
Abril, ano de 1790. — April, 1790.
Joseph de Figueroa's Signature
A Piece of the Original Frame
New Granada in Colonial SpainJoseph de Figueroa painted St. John the Baptist in Bogotá (then called Santa Fe de Bogotá) in New Granada in Colonial Spain—a city and region now primarily in the South American country of Columbia.
Biblical Novena to St. John the Baptist
The Feast of the Baptism of Jesus is the official close of the Christmas season in the Catholic Church. It is a moveable feast that lands on the Sunday after Epiphany; however, if Epiphany lands on January 7 or 8, then The Feast of the Baptism of Jesus is celebrated the following Monday.
The Feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist is June 24.
The Feast of the Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist is August 29.
"Lamb" in the Bible ...
I believe I have the original of this picture.
ReplyDeleteYou might have a painted copy. All Celine originals are in Lisieux. However, they hired artists to paint duplicates of Celine's works to share. Celine added her touch to some of these. You might enjoy this link:
Deletehttp://www.archives-carmel-lisieux.fr/english/carmel/index.php/family-life/fusains-et-autres/gallery/31-representations-of-th-charcoals-washes
Does the copy has her signature on them?
DeleteMy print at home does have Celine's signature - but it's very obviously just a print.
DeleteThe Blanchard reproduction painting at the Little Flower Basilica in San Antonio does not. At least I have not been able to find it. For many years this Blanchard painting was believed to have been a Celine original. But, now, with better communication available, it is understood that it is not. Blanchard was an artist in Paris with a great devotion to St. Therese and he was hired to reproduce many of the Celine originals. You might enjoy seeing his painting here and compare it with the very similar one on the link I shared with you earlier: https://littleflowerbasilica.org/st-therese-as-painted-by-celine/
Does your painting have a Celine signature?
Yes, it is very old. And looks like its is in the original frame
DeleteYou might want to try to contact the archives in Lisieux. They could probably give you more clues. I have been told that all Celine originals (except for one fresco outside of Lisieux) are in Lisieux. But ... perhaps you have a surprise!
Deletehttp://www.archives-carmel-lisieux.fr/english/carmel/index.php/contactez-nous
I have one of these prints it was given to me by one of my friend about 15 years ago.. He bought it from a secound hand shop. He was told that it used to hang at a nunnery.. Its in a frame held together by old nails
DeleteWhat a treasure your friend found for you! Even these old prints are very special!
Deletei have a copy it was brought to canada by my Grandfather in 1212 , it hung on their bedroom wall since, its framed and untouched, now it sits on our wall
DeleteI have had this painting,(print) in my home since I was 6 years old and I am now sixty-nine. It hung over my mother's bed , and I always thought it was the Virgin Mary. I now have it in my home, and only recently found out who it was , as I was reading,"Stronger than Steel."
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely story! thank You for sharing!
DeleteI have what must be an original print or charcoal etching of this piece. It’s also dated 1912 and is from before she was beatified or canonized because the matte on the picture reads “Teresa, Servant of God” which is the title when you are made venerable. Where did you get this photo from? I’ve never been able to find the original piece, the closest is Therese with Roses, but she has a halo in that one. Mine is like this one pictured, no halo. I’ve been trying for many years to track down any info on this! Thanks! 💜 Amy 💜
ReplyDeleteGo to this link and scroll down ... you'll see the many Celine originals of St. Therese!
ReplyDeletehttps://archives.carmeldelisieux.fr/en/naissance-dune-sainte/iconographie-theresienne/tableaux-2/
I have a charcoal portrait of Saint Theresa signed by her sister Celine Martin in 1912
ReplyDeleteI also have a charcoal portrait of Therese done in 1912 signed by Celine Martin & framed in 1916 by w h pridmore Bathurst Street Hobart
ReplyDelete