Gospel in Art: Feast of Saint John of the Cross

The Crucifixion. Drawing by Saint John of the Cross, 1572 © Convento de la Encarnación, Avila, Spain

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 14 December 2023
Matthew 11:11-15

Jesus spoke to the crowds: 'I tell you solemnly, of all the children born of women, a greater than John the Baptist has never been seen; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he is. Since John the Baptist came, up to this present time, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence and the violent are taking it by storm. Because it was towards John that all the prophecies of the prophets and of the Law were leading; and he, if you will believe me, is the Elijah who was to return. If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen!'

Reflection on the drawing

Today we celebrate the Feast of Saint John of the Cross (1542-1591), Spanish mystic and Carmelite friar. While Saint John of the Cross is best known for his writings, particularly "The Dark Night of the Soul," he is not commonly associated with the visual arts. Yet today I am sharing with you a drawing of the Crucifixion that he made in 1572 . It is a very small, stamp-sized drawing, which inspired Salvador Dali to paint his well-known Christ of Saint John of the Cross canvas, depicting Christ nailed on the cross, seen from above, against a darkened sky, floating over a lake with boat and fishermen. St John of the Cross drew our image after receiving a mystical revelation. Once he had drawn this little sketch, he gave it to one of the nuns in the Carmelite convent where he was the confessor. The drawing is still preserved there today in Avila, where it is mounted in a reliquary stand (with a tiny fragment of his bone mounted underneath).

The aerial perspective, looking at Christ from above, is how his Father may have looked down upon his Son, at the moment he surrendered his spirit on the cross. Christ's head has fallen upon his chest. We can't see his face. His arms are dislocated and reflect the agony and torture. Christ's hands seem torn by the weight of the inert body that hangs forward from the cross. This is a small but very powerful drawing.

Whenever anything disagreeable or displeasing happens to you, remember Christ crucified and be silent - St John of the Cross.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-11-11-15-2023/