SACRED ART IN 100 WORDS

Pentecost
Jean II Restout
1732
Musée du Louvre, Paris

The artist presents a dramatic depiction of the birth of the Church. The scene is set in a large, Roman-style courtyard flanked by pillars. As the heavens open, we see the ‘rush of violent wind’ that fills the house, followed by ‘tongues of fire’ which came to rest on each disciple. The apostles demonstrate overwhelmed emotions – fear, awe, amazement, adoration, humility. Presumably, Peter exits to deliver his first sermon. The Blessed Virgin Mary stands majestically at the centre, calmly receptive to the Spirit of Life. What happens here is renewed today. Interestingly the artist depicts the disciples on an altar as they offer all that they are to God. They were not the same again. As we surrender to the Spirit, neither will we be the same.