Antoine de Lonhy
(XV century)
Holy Trinity and Crying Angel,
Torino, Museo civico d’arte antica e Palazzo Madama
We are before a theological interpretation
of the descent from the Cross: the Father sustains Jesus, in
front of the Holy Spirit dove. We should notice the characters’
location on the scene, they could be in a church or in the
temple of Jerusalem, however in a beautiful place. The crying
angel, who is looking from afar, gives the scene a dramatic
atmosphere.
Listening to the painting
The Father: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am very
pleased. I have already spoken these words to those who
attended His Baptism in the Jordan River, and to Peter, Jacob
and John who saw his transfiguration. Now I repeat this to you,
since you are looking at his dead body. Only Jesus is the
chosen, since He pleased my will of salvation and did not
hesitate when He had to offer His life for you, and for every
man. I did not wear a mourning robe, because life was born
from His death; the exaltation of His name came from His
annihilation. And, in the name of Jesus, your knee shall bend,
because He, my beloved son, deserved your divine filiality and
your salvation through His blood.
|