Gospel in Art: The birth of John the Baptist

Young John the Baptist, by William-Adolphe Bouguereau, 1883 © Sotheby's New York, 10 November 1998, lot 151

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 23 December 2024
Luke 1:57-66

The time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. And her neighbours and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father, but his mother answered, 'No; he shall be called John.' And they said to her, 'None of your relatives is called by this name.' And they made signs to his father, enquiring what he wanted him to be called. And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, 'His name is John.' And they all wondered. And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God. And fear came on all their neighbours.

And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea, and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, 'What then will this child be?' For the hand of the Lord was with him.

Reflection on the painting

The naming of a child can often spark tension within a family, as relatives and friends may have differing opinions about the best name. Ultimately, however, it is the parents' decision. In today's Gospel, the friends and relatives of Zechariah and Elizabeth expected them to follow tradition and name their newborn son Zechariah, after his father. Yet Zechariah and Elizabeth knew that God had chosen a different name for their child. At this pivotal moment in history, God was breaking from convention to do something entirely new. Their son, John, was destined for a unique purpose: to prepare the way for someone far greater than himself, someone who would be called Jesus, Emmanuel-God-with-us.

This was a moment of profound significance, as God was forging a new covenant with humanity. The child's name was to signify the new work that God was bringing about. When Zechariah declared that the child would be named John, a name entirely unfamiliar within the family tradition, it left people puzzled. Their initial joy at the child's birth shifted to a profound sense of wonder at this unexpected break with convention, recognising that something extraordinary was unfolding. Zechariah was also cured in this very moment as we read that his 'mouth was opened and his tongue loosed', so he could speak again. Lots of extraordinary things happening in our short reading.

When I was working at Sotheby's, I vividly remember today's painting, which was sold there in 1998. It is an exceptionally unusual portrait of John the Baptist. The artist, William Bouguereau, with just a few brushstrokes, captures a camel hair cloak-the sole indication that this is a young John the Baptist. His eyes are lifted heavenward, reflecting an awareness of his divine mission. He exudes both confidence and determination. I find it to be one of the most beautiful portraits of John the Baptist I have ever seen.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/luke-1-57-66-2024/