Historical Contextualization
Carl Heinrich Bloch (1834-90) always considered his religious paintings his most prized works, many of which dealt with the Lord Jesus Christ (McClellan, 1994). He has left a legacy of pictures that depict the Savior’s pre-mortal splendor, humble birth, glorious ministry, and post-mortal reign, serving as a powerful testimony of His divinity for the world to see. At age 15, his talent in painting being recognized, Bloch was sent to Copenhagen’s Academy of Art, by age 20 he was starting out his career, working in Rome and Denmark (Todd, 1991). Throughout his life, he created 8 altarpieces, one of which is now, as Christine Howard, marketing and public relations manager of the MOA at BYU said, “The jewel of our collection” at the Museum of Art at BYU (Mull, 2001). Due to a kind donation from Jack and Mary Lois Wheatley, the MOA was able to buy Christ Healing the Sick at the Pool of Bethesda from the Bethesda Indre Mission in Copenhagen, Denmark, where it had served as one of the building’s most prized possessions. This larger-than-life painting now defines the MOA, inspiring all who walk by to allow Christ to heal them through amazing feats of painting, symbolism, and art itself.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteOy! My mind is so out of it. I keep messing up in my comments.
ReplyDeleteDavid, great concise context for the work. My personal preference would be for you to throw up an image of the painting with your post for our benefit. I really want to see that painting.
You quickly summed up Bloch's biography, his credentials, established the importance of his painting, and then brought us to present day and what it means. All without breaking a sweat.
I would love a bit more about Bloch, though, perhaps some of the artistic motifs or themes that he uses.
But overall, great job!
Thanks Mont, very helpful.
ReplyDeleteI can tell that this paper is going to be good. I really like that painting too.
ReplyDelete