May 28, 2017

Transluscent Hands: Christ in the Carpenters Shop

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"Another haunting work of Georges de la Tour in his tenebrist style is Christ in the Carpenters Shop, completed in 1645 and which hangs in the Musée du Louvre, Paris. 

"It is a depiction of Joseph, a descendant of the house of David, husband of Mary and "€œfoster father"€ to Christ, who was a carpenter in Jerusalem. In Georges de la Tour's depiction we see Joseph leaning forward, busy drilling a hole in a block of wood with his auger, the shape of which mirrors the shape of a cross.  He is in his workshop watched over by Jesus whose face radiates in the large frame.  Once again the depiction of the two characters is swathed in darkness with only their faces and upper bodies lit up by the flame of the candle held by the boy.
"Jesus is seated and holds a candle to illuminate what Joseph is doing. It almost seems that it is the face of Jesus which is illuminating the scene and not the light of the candle. The act of holding up the light for Joseph to see by has an allegorical reference to Jesus Christ being the Light of the World as mentioned in the New Testament (John 8:12)." On Georges de la Tour

“…I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.…”

Posted by gerardvanderleun at May 28, 2017 11:03 PM
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"It is impossible to speak in such a way that you cannot be misunderstood." -- Karl Popper N.B.: Comments are moderated and may not appear immediately. Comments that exceed the obscenity or stupidity limits will be either edited or expunged.

"Move it over to your left, Son, you have the light right in my eyes!"

Posted by: Monty James at May 29, 2017 3:58 AM

The art is great, the history not so much. When was Joseph a "carpenter in Jerusalem?" Answer, never. Try Nazareth, as in "can anything good come out of Nazareth?"

Posted by: Ron at May 29, 2017 5:54 AM

Stunning! Thank you!

Posted by: Donald Sensing at May 29, 2017 7:10 AM
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