Henry Turner Bailey

“ Now when Jesus was born there came wise men from the east, guided by a star, which went before them till it stood over the place where the young child was. . . . And when they were come into the house they saw Jesus and Mary his mother, and fell down and worshipped him; and when they had opened their treasures they presented unto him gifts; gold, frankincense and myrrh. (Matt. 2:9-11.)
Hofmann, Plate 20, represents the arrival. The star stands above the head of the child. The tradition is that one wise man came from Europe, one from Asia and one from Africa (See Ben-Hur, Book I.) ”

“ A man is begging at the entrance. It is not extraordinary in the light of Acts 3:1, 2, and Mark 14:7. He begs in vain outside, while within a servant brings wine to refresh those who will not so much as lift a finger to help the burdened. (Matt. 23:4.) Beyond the beggar craftsmen are still at work upon the temple. Yes, because when this child Jesus first visited the temple it was not completed. "Forty and six years was this temple in building." (John 2:20.) Birds are flying in and out! ”

“ The words of the text take on a deeper meaning as they are studied in the light of this picture. Because Hofmann is an artist, a man gifted with imagination, he sees more clearly, more vividly than the average person. Seen through his eyes what was before vague and unconvincing becomes definite and powerful. Before seeing the picture the pupil had heard the words:"Jesus, looking upon him, loved him." Now with the picture he sees that Jesus loves him and is anxious to have him decide for life everlasting. ”

“ When Herod was dead, Joseph, instructed by an angel, brought Mary and Jesus into the land of Israel, and made them a home in Nazareth. The mother with her divine child in this Nazareth home has ever been the favorite subject with painters. "Madonna" pictures have been multiplied into the thousands. The most famous are those which were painted by Raphael,—the Sistine Madonna, Madonna of the Chair, Madonna da Tempi, Madonna of the Goldfinch, etc.,—reproductions of which are familiar to everybody. ”

“ Tradition says that Joseph soon died, and that Jesus supported the family by working at his trade.
Hunt, Plate 40, has invented an occasion to emphasize the prophetic words often applied to Mary, "Is any sorrow like unto my sorrow?" (Lam. 1:12.) Simeon had said "Yea and a sword shall pierce through thine own soul," and Mary, "pondering all these things in her heart," is startled, at the close of the day, by seeing the shadow of her son cast upon the wall, like the form of one upon a cross. ”

“ Merson, Plate 29, is a poetic seer as well as an artist. The sphinx riddle was "What is man?" Merson has placed the answer before the sphinx at last. He who was himself the answer to the world-old question, propounded a new question which all must answer, "What think ye of Christ" (Matt. 22:42) .
Plate 29. Repose in Egypt. Olivier L. Merson.
Morris, Plate 30, gives us a glimpse of the life of the Holy Family during the sojourn in Egypt. Joseph is resting in the tent after his day's work, and Mary is teaching the child to walk. All are unconscious of the ominous shadow so evident now to us. ”

“ The little boy with the fly-driver tells the season of the year, the light and the few worshippers and the idle musicians tell the time of day. Everything has a message, even the ornament upon wall and floor! ”

“ Walking by the sea of Galilee one morning, Jesus saw two brethren, Simon who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, . . . and two other brethren, James, the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, with their nets, for they were fishermen. And he called them: "Come ye after me and I will make you fishers of men." These four became his first disciples. (Matt. 4:18-22.)
Zimmermann, Plate 47, has seized upon the moment when Jesus makes that extraordinary statement. Peter and John are nearest Jesus, the other two in the background. "Fishers of men;" the phrase is mysterious ”

“ The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a virgin whose name was Mary. The angel said "Hail, Mary, highly favored, blessed art thou among women." (Luke 1:26-28.) Mary is supposed to have been in a house of worship at the time (like Hannah, 1 Sam. 1:9-18, and Zacharias, Luke 1:8-13) , hence the beautiful surroundings; and to have been at prayer, as suggested by the kneeling posture and the book. The dove is a symbol of the Holy Ghost (Luke 3:22) . The beam of light symbolizes the going forth of divine power (Hos. 6:5) . ”

“ Hofmann, Plate 112, has excelled himself in the portrayal of Christ and the rich young ruler, who asked how to obtain eternal life. (Matt. 19:16.) Jesus is saying; "If thou wouldest be perfect go sell what thou hast and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven." The decision of the young man is already made. He will presently go away sorrowful, and keep his great possessions. (Matt. 19:21, 22.)
Plate 112. Christ and the Young Ruler. H. Hofmann. 1824-
Bonifazio, Plate 121, illustrates the account of Matthew relative to the ambitions of James and John. ”

“ In such study it is essential that each pupil be supplied with a complete set of the pictures to be compared.
Madonna. Dagnan-Bouveret.
But the picture itself is sometimes not a thing to be consciously analyzed and inventoried; it is simply a thing of beauty, "its own excuse for being;" it is something to be received as a whole with thankfulness, like the odor of wild grape vines, or the form of a calla lily, or the color of a sunrise, or the music of wind in pine trees. Such a picture is this Madonna of the Shop, by Dagnan-Bouveret. ”

“ Plate 60. Healing of the Impotent Man. Alexandra Bida. 1813-1895.
Plate 62. Talking with the Lame Man, Bethesda. Van Dyck. 1599-1641.
Doré, Plate 63, gives an interpretation of Matt. 12:1-8. The Pharisees are accusing the disciples of breaking the Sabbath by plucking the heads of wheat, and Jesus is excusing them. The Master seems to be saying, "Have ye not read what David did when he was an hungered, and they that were with him? . . . If ye had known ye would not have condemned the guiltless. The Son of man is lord of the Sabbath. The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath." ”

“ Darkness covered the earth and gross darkness the people who refused lodging to such as Mary, but that night the glory of the Lord was revealed. (Is. 60:2.)
Plate 8. Joseph and Mary, Arrival at Bethlehem. Olivier L. Merson.
Plockhörst, Plate 14, illustrates Luke 2:8-11. And in the same country were shepherds keeping watch over their flock by night. And the angel of the Lord came and said unto them, "Fear not, I bring you good tidings of great joy. Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior which is Christ the Lord." ”

“ Hofmann, Plate 75, shows the self-righteous Pharisee, with his hypocritical friends, more graphically than either of the other artists. His keen insight into character is reflected from every face. Hofmann, above many others, is true to the account, and true to human nature. "Thy sins are forgiven," Jesus is saying. (Verse 48.)
Plate 75. Anointing Feet of Jesus. H. Hofmann. 1824-
Hofmann, Plate 76, tells of Jesus preaching from the boat (Mark 4:1) . Every face in the picture is worth studying. The world is present by representation—infancy, childhood, youth, maturity, old age ”

“ H. Hofmann. 1824-
The picture itself may be the object of study, and the text become a commentary upon the picture. For example, consider this picture by Holman Hunt. Every detail has something important to say to the pupil. The postures of these people and the costumes say "oriental." The profuse ornamentation both of the architecture and the various furnishings speak of extraordinary conditions. This is the temple which was the wonder of the age (see Mark 13:1) , and these are the people who loved to go about in long clothing, and who "devoured widows' houses" to be rich. (Matt. 23:14.) ”

“ Plate 157. John and the Mother of Jesus. W. C. T. Dobson.
THE RESURRECTION.
As it began to dawn towards the first day of the week, "there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it." (Matt. 28:1-2.)
Naack, Plate 159, has designed a panel which presents a synthesis of the various accounts of the resurrection, and adds the symbols of victory and triumph. Other artists have given more literal renderings of particular texts. For example:
Plate 159. ”

“ Bouguereau, Plate 10, adds to the story a dramatic touch. There are ominous shadows in the background. Mary seems troubled by the presence of the lamb, symbol of sacrifice. The angel had said "He shall save his people from their sins." (Matt. 1:21.) Does Mary seem already to behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world? (John 1:29.) One lamb is already slain, and lies in the foreground. ”

“ Peter is ready to add his word of condemnation.
Plate 121. Christ and Zebedee's Children. Bonifazio. 1494-1563.
AT JERUSALEM.
PASSION WEEK.
Jesus went on his way towards Jerusalem, and when he came within sight of the city he wept over it and said, "Would that you had learned, while there was time—yes, even you—the things that make for peace! But as it is, they have been hidden from your sight. For a time is coming for you when your enemies will surround you with earthworks, and encircle you, and hem you in on every side ”

“ Plate 39, from the famous painting in Dresden, is the more carefully finished. Hofmann has shown the seal of Solomon upon the "chair of philosophy," he has introduced the scroll of the prophets and suggested the rich stones of the temple, but the interest of all is upon the Boy, who came to fulfill the law and the prophets, and who was greater than the temple and greater than Solomon. (Matt. 5:17, John 2:19-20, Matt. 12:42) . This picture has become a classic already, though Hofmann is still living.
Plate 38. Christ Disputing with the Doctors. H. Hofmann. 1824-
Plate 39. ”

“ He has surpassed Bonifazio in one respect at least. Piombo's people are astonished and excited over what has occurred: they are not entirely witless because of Martha's suggestion.
Plate 119. Raising of Lazarus. Sebastian del Piombo. 1485-1547.
Rubens, Plate 120, has not included the crowd in his canvas; but his Lazarus comes forth vigorously and happily from his grave in the cave, to meet a master whose figure is charged with animation. The traditional characters of the sisters are not forgotten. ”

“ Plate 90 is a part of the same picture. Compare the details of both of these plates with the scriptural account! No artist ever packed more literal and spiritual truth into a single canvas.
Plate 89. The Transfiguration. Raphael. 1483-1520.
Plate 90. The Demoniac Boy. Raphael. 1483-1520.
Shortly after the Transfiguration Jesus talked with his disciples about true greatness. By way of illustration "He took a little child in his arms and said unto them, Whosoever shall humble himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (Mark 9:36, Matt. 18:4.) ”

“ Plate 107. The Rich Man and Lazarus. Gustave Doré. 1833-1883.
Jesus was again called to visit Bethany by the death of the brother of Mary and Martha. None of the pictures here reproduced give an adequate representation of that which then occurred—the raising of Lazurus. Perhaps the event is too august to be put upon canvas.
Bonifazio, Plate 118, seems to take an almost childish delight in depicting the varying effects of a disagreeable odor! He has magnified the remark of Martha (John 11:39) into the motive for a picture!
Plate 118. Raising of Lazarus. Bonifazio II. 1494-1563. ”

“ The parable is but faintly echoed in this picture.
Plate 105. Prodigal Son. Franz Molitor.
The man who has painted the parable as a whole is Dubufe, Plate 106. The central panel in the triptych shows the young man wasting his substance in riotous living. "He squandered his property by his dissolute life," says one version. His feasts were such as that described by Isaiah 5:11, 12. The panel at the left shows the young man in want, feeding swine, when "no man gave unto him." ”

“ Darkness is coming upon the earth. In Plate 150, John and the three Marys are at the foot of the cross. (John 19:25.)
Plate 149. The Crucifixion. M. Munkacsy. 1844-
Plate 150. Christ on the Cross and the Three Marys. M. Munkacsy. 1844-
Hofmann, Plate 148, has chosen a later moment. Jesus has committed his mother to the care of John (John 19:26-27) , and with the word, "It is finished," has given up his spirit into his Father's hands. (Luke 23:46.) Amid rending rocks and opening tombs the Centurion is saying, "Truly this was the Son of God." (Matt. 27:54.) ”

“ The poor in spirit, the mourner, the meek, those who hunger for righteousness, the pure, and the persecuted, all seem to be represented in the audience.
Plate 64. The Sermon on the Mount. H. Hofmann. 1824-
Jeune, Plate 67, has selected the moment when Jesus says, "Consider the lilies how they grow. . . . If God so clothe the grass of the field, shall he not much more clothe you? . . . Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness." (Matt. 6:28-33.)
Plate 67. Consider the Lilies. Henry Le Jeune. 1820.
Bida, Plate 66, illustrates one section of the Sermon on the Mount, viz.: Matt. ”

“ Overbeck, Plate 94, emphasizes the thought in Rev. 3:20.
Plate 94. "Behold, I stand at the Door and Knock." Overbeck. 1789-1869.
Plockhörst, Plate 99, has attempted to put into a single picture the wealth of meaning suggested by the wondrous words, "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matt, 11:28.) Humanity is symbolized by the pilgrim who needs comforting.
Plate 99. Christ the Consoler. B. Plockhörst. 1825-
THE PEREAN MINISTRY.
During this part of his life Jesus gave some of his most famous parables. ”

“ Hofmann, Plate 114, has most beautifully drawn the group in the home of Lazarus,—Martha, "cumbered with much serving," (Luke 10:40) , Mary, "who has chosen the good part," (verse 40) , and for a reminder of Lazarus, who has not yet returned from work, his house-dog, asleep by the chair of Jesus.
Plate 114. Bethany. H. Hofmann. 1824-
Allori, Plate 113, gives Martha a maidservant drawing water, and a man-servant bringing in a sheep for dinner. Mary has her alabaster box close at hand! (Compare John 12:1-3.) About the time of the visit Jesus opened the eyes of the man born blind. (John 9.) ”

“ Plate 129. Conspiracy Against Jesus. Alexandre Bida. 1813-1895.
When the disciples entered the upper room all had neglected to assume the office of servant in preparation for the meal. They were disputing as to who should be the greatest in the kingdom. (Luke 22:24.) Jesus therefore arose from the table and performed the act of cleansing.
Brown, Plate 133, has portrayed the incident wonderfully well. The dialogue with Peter is just finished. (John 13:6-10.)
Plate 133. Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet. Ford Madox Brown. ”