UP AND ONWARDS: The Iconography of the Ascension in Art through the ages
It is the fortieth day after Resurrection. We are back to the square where Jesus entered into His Passion – The Mount of Olives. At this moment, Jesus having culminated His earthly life is now passing from the world to His Father. He has assigned to His disciples the task of announcing the Gospel and has promised to send His Helper. Amid astonishment and gasps He is then lifted from their sight.
As the apostles stare into space, their astounded gaze is interrupted by the address of the heavenly beings. ‘Men of Galilee, why gaze in wonder at heavens? This Jesus whom you saw ascending into heaven will return as you saw Him go.’ (Acts 1: 6 – 14).
The theme of the Ascension naturally inspired art. Paintings dating back to the 5th century often depicted the episode in two zones: the earthy and the divine. While in the spiritual sphere Christ is portrayed ascending into heaven, the main characters of the terrestrial sphere included the disciples, the Blessed Virgin Mary and of course the angels.
The depiction of the Ascension was subject to interpretation and iconography. Through today’s article we will journey through history and its varied frames of the Ascension bound by fantastic forms, features and illustrations.
IMAGE 1
The earliest depiction of the Ascension is that of Christ marching forth on a mountain, grasping hold of a hand that pierces the earthly frame through the clouds. The hand, undoubtedly, is that of God the Father whom ‘no man could behold and live’ (Exodus 33:20). Here Christ, having completed His earthly mission was welcomed by His Heavenly Father into His glorious kingdom. This depiction can be dated to the 4th century.
IMAGE 2
In the 14th century, Giotto follows a similar pattern minus the hand of the Almighty. In his prominent painting Christ is shown piercing the gates of heaven with His own hands while the angelic host surround Him in shouts of joy. The earthly characters continue to gaze upwards in prayer and amazement.
IMAGE 3
Post the representation of the hands followed that of the feet. The Ascension of Christ was emphasized by depicting Him leaving the pictorial space. Only His feet and lower legs were now visible. The rest of His appearance was engulfed in billows of clouds. The Virgin and the apostles stood witness to this event. This image was prominent during the Middle Ages.
IMAGE 4
Enhancing upon this style, the scene was given a twist in the 15th century. While Christ ascended into heaven, He left behind two tiny foot-prints upon the Mount from which He rose. Subtly, they served as reminders of Christ everlasting presence in the midst of His disciples. This presence would soon take the form of tongues of fire on the day of Pentecost.
IMAGE 5
With the emergence of the 17th century the view changed. The perceiver was now a part of the earthly sphere and of the painting itself. One could now see Christ from below disappearing into the clouds. His feet were wounded and foreshortened. The best illustration of this scene is undoubtedly executed by the Flemish artist Peter Paul Rubens (1620) and the modern Spanish artist Salvador Dali (1958).
IMAGE 6
Magnificent 🙏
Christ shown piercing the gates of heaven Giotto👌🏻👌🏻 I will be doing that, now to qualify and in death to plead even a corner in His Kingdom🙏🏻🙏🏻
The frontal posture painting is so contemporary and artistic .
The pillar of cloud’ painting has a deep significance for our lives too.