Blog 4

Worship is essential in order to engage with an image as an icon. Marion does a very good job describing why worship is essential in order to truly see and understand an icon. Marion states “the ‘respectful veneration’ is not to be confused with adoration: the one, in effect, is concerned with a (real) nature, the other a (irreal, intentional) gaze; before the icon, one should not adore, since the visible and real support (the image in its materiality) does not merit what a divine nature alone demands (in the Eucharist par excellence); but it is necessary to venerate, that is, by my gaze, to climb back up, to cross the visible image and be exposed to the invisible counter-gaze of the prototype. The icon is given not to be seen, but to be venerated.” (Marion, 60). Following Marion’s thoughts, images as icons are always pointing to something invisible; in order to see what this is, we need to properly worship, have the devotion, and venerate the icon. In order to see the true icon and what it reveals, which is Christ in art, we need to contemplate the icon in a devotional way so that we can achieve a reciprocating gaze. Only by achieving this reciprocating gaze we can truly see the icon and connect the past with the present and the future. The person looking at the icon needs to have the intentionality of seeing and analyzing the icon beyond the obvious visible things. Only by analyzing the particulars and the little details in an icon a person can find the symbols that reveal the invisible father and the person can achieve the reciprocating gaze. As it has been exemplified, worship makes it possible to have a back and forth interaction with the icon. Engaging in this iconic way allows us to reveal the meanings of beautiful pieces such as the Ghent Altarpiece, the Florentine Frescoes, and the Madonna altarpieces.

By immersing in the Ghent Altarpiece, one sees and enters into the reality of what is initially invisible. The Ghent altarpiece is divided into top and bottom. At the top of the altarpiece, we can see the sacrifice of Christ to the father, Virgin Mary at the center, the saints, and Adam, Eve, Cane, and Abel on the corners. At the bottom, we see a lamb being sacrificed and everyone coming to participate in this event. By analyzing the altar deeply, we further understand that while there is violence present on the altarpiece, the rest of the people at the bottom of the painting and Christ offer their sacrifice in a non-violent way full of love. This is what is making everyone come together. By taking part in the altarpiece one can apply this to our own lives. In times of violence, loss, and tragedy, we can come together and turn the dark times into sacrifices of love.

The Florentine frescos are paintings on walls whose images have a purpose and require us to get involved with the images to adequately interpret them. The “Nole mi tangere” makes present Christ’s resurrection. By looking at this fresco in an iconic way described the details that give meaning to the fresco are revealed. The fresco shows Jesus in a Garden with flowers. Only by immersing ourselves in the fresco, we can see that the flowers are actually the blood of Christ and that the garden is paradisal. There is also a door that actually represents a tomb. By entering into the fresco, one actually feels like he is being invited into the Garden through that door to be illuminated by Christ’s light and to become part of his act of resurrection.

When one truly sees the Madonna of the firescreen through an iconic way, one finds details that reveal the presence of Christ and enrich our devotional life. Some of the important details of the altarpiece include the contemplative gaze of the Virgin towards Jesus, the representation of the Virgin as the altar for Jesus, and the offering of the Virgin’s breast to Jesus in a eucharistic manner. Williamson describes the artwork as having “other elements in this painting that might be brought to bear upon a sacramental or eucharistic interpretation” (Williamson, 390). The most important elements that connect this image with the eucharist is the cloth beneath Jesus. This is the same cloth that is used to place the consecrated host during mass. The symbol of the cloth is crucial because it allows us to connect this altarpiece to our own present lives given that it does not reveal a specific time in which this event took place.