Painting the Word: Christian Pictures and Their Meanings

Rating:
Summary: sharing an artists vision
Review: John Drury is an art historian who uses his vocation as a priest to explain the subtlety of meaning that lies hidden in the symbolism of religious paintings in London's National Gallery.

Anyone how has looked at such a painting but not "seen" it, would do well to read this wonderful book and share the insights that the author offers. Paintings that I would have passed by with scarcely a second glance, are revealed within a context of their time, with reference to their history, the world view of the artist, the common and uncommon symbolism employed and much else besides.

It gives the possibility of sharing a visual language that we have lost and enables us to understand what it is about a picture that we sense is great, without comprehending why that might be.

It is hard to think that anyone who has ever visited an art gallery could not profit from reading this book and has certainly given me the enthusiasm to go and look at the pictures for myself.

Rating:
Summary: A truly outstanding guide to Christian paintings
Review: Painting The Word is a truly outstanding guide to Christian paintings and their meanings brings art and spirituality together in an inspiring coverage. More than a history of painting, Painting The Word discusses how Christian images reflected and influenced Christian civilization as a whole, with a universal quality delivering balanced messages. Color reproductions of significant classic Christian art works appear throughout.

Rating:
Summary: A truly outstanding guide to Christian paintings
Review: Painting The Word is a truly outstanding guide to Christian paintings and their meanings brings art and spirituality together in an inspiring coverage. More than a history of painting, this discusses how Christian images reflected and influenced Christian civilization as a whole, with a universal quality delivering balanced messages. Color reproductions of significant Christian works appear throughout.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful Book to Ponder Painters View of Scripture
Review: This is an absolutely exquisite book, with highgloss paper and wonderful color reproductions of marvelous paintings.

To this, Drury offers his expert commentary on how one might look at these paintings to see the painter's perspective on the Christian faith.

One will learn much about looking at paintings, and will never casually observe a painting again. I especially have grown fond of two paintings that this marvelous book acquainted me with, Titian's "Vendramin Family" and Lippi's "The Annunciation." Drury's comments here are very useful.

I would like to give this five stars, but withheld this because of my disagreement theologically with Drury. His theology is far too liberal for me, and I'm afraid that he will sway many who will trust his opinion of Divine Scripture as "the gospel truth, or historical critical truth."

A book to consider to turn to to aid one in viewing Christian painting.

Rating:
Summary: Recommended for students of art and Christian imagery.
Review: This survey of links between Christian worship and paintings provides a fine analysis of how Christian paintings convey their messages. Plenty of examples from Christian paintings from all eras accompany insights which began with the dean author's sermons on the topic. The result will interest any concerned with Christian images.