SACRED ART IN 100 WORDS

The Incredulity of St Thomas
Caravaggio
1601-02
Sanssouci, Potsdam

The painting dwells on the famously dubbed doubting Thomas. Four meticulously rendered figures complete the canvas. Although Christ’s face is shadowed, his chest and white garments are bathed in light. The radiance leads our gaze from Jesus to Thomas and from Thomas to the other two apostles. Completing the circle, we are drawn back to Christ, the first and last figure we behold. Notice the ripped garb of Thomas. It indicates his seeking state. As Thomas bends low, Christ indulgently guides his quivering finger into the gaping open wound. Thomas gasps in amazement and his quests result in belief. It was not a ghostly Christ. Let us not ghost Him. Let’s join the apostle of our land in proclaiming – My Lord and My God.

– Archdiocesan Heritage Museum