Art and Christianity on Songs of Praise

Supper at Emmaus, Caravaggio National Gallery

Fr Patrick van der Vorst, founder of Gospel in Art, features on BBC Songs of Praise this Sunday.

To celebrate its 200th anniversary, the show's host, Aled Jones is visiting the National Gallery in London's Trafalgar Square. Aled meets director Dr Gabriele Finaldi for an exclusive tour behind the scenes of the gallery, which boasts one of the largest collections of religious art in the world. He discovers the fascinating stories behind masterpieces by Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and Caravaggio, just some of the paintings that attract three million visitors each year. Looking back over its 200-year history, Aled finds out about moments that have shaped the gallery's place in British culture, including the war years, when it became a home of free classical music concerts to inspire people at a time of suffering.

Fr Patrick van Der Vorst will take Aled to The Supper at Emmaus, a painting that depicts the moment Christ's disciples recognise Jesus in his risen form.

Also on the programme, artist Sophie Hacker will reveal her contemporary artwork commissioned for the 18th-century St Marylebone Parish Church. Sophie explains the themes of nature and eternity in her work and reflects on the power of art in worship.

The programme will feature hymns from around the UK and special performances recorded in the beautiful setting of the National Gallery itself.

Music featured:

Angel Voices Ever Singing - Coventry Cathedral
Crown Him with Many Crowns - Canterbury Cathedral
Ave Maria - BBC Chorister of the Year performing in the National Gallery
Immortal, Invisible - Christ Church, Port Sunlight
Now the Green Blade Riseth - Holy Trinity, Long Melford, Suffolk
Praise My Soul, the King of Heaven - Apollo 5 in the National Gallery

Songs of Praise is at 1.15pm on Sunday 26 May 2024. It will also be available afterwards on iplayer.

See: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001zpvx