Today's Gospel in Art: Parable of the Hidden Treasure

Parable of the Hidden Treasure, Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, 1630, © Collection Esterházy, Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest

Gospel of 31st July 2019 -Matthew 13: 44-46

Jesus said to the crowds: 'The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field which someone has found; he hides it again, goes off happy, sells everything he owns and buys the field.

'Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls; when he finds one of great value he goes and sells everything he owns and buys it.'

Reflection on the Painting

Rembrandt divides his painting diagonally in half (from the top right corner to the bottom left).

The upper left half depicts a landscape with mountains and a city in the distance. The right lower half shows a man in front of a treasure he has just discovered. However, he is not looking at the treasure, but he is looking away at the upper left half, at the landscape, at infinity, in meditation, maybe praying....

To read on see: To read on see: www.christianart.today/daily-gospel-reading/128