ADORATION

We would like to enter this solemnity, which concludes the Christmas season, through a work by Bartolo di Fredi (c. 1330-1410), a refined representative of 14th-century Sienese painting. Along with Duccio (c. 1260-1318) and Simone Martini (c. 1284-1344), he competed for the artistic supremacy of Florence, which then boasted figures such as Cimabue (1240-1302) and Giotto (1267-1337). The work is the Adoration, which Bartolo painted in the 1380s. The setting is mystical and intensely spiritual. The Madonna is very reminiscent of Simone Martini’s Annunciation, now preserved in the Uffizi. The decorative element is strong (note the figure of the young king, in particular) and the expressionistic element is strong (note the face of the man on the left who is trying to tame the horse). All this makes it a living representation, which transcends the biblical context to make it a contemporary event. And this is the strength of art at the service of faith: that is, the ability to visually represent the Mystery not so much as a dated fact but as an occurrence in the present of salvation. If the Nativity of Christ focuses our attention on the identity of the Child, the Epiphany unfolds three great revelations: the call to faith of all peoples (here are the Magi); Jesus as the messianic Spouse (the water changed into wine at Cana); the solidarity of God, in Christ, with sinful humanity (baptism in the Jordan). Bartolo di Fredi presents the first aspect. Mary, holding a regal and blessing Jesus on her lap, is inside a small temple. Its solemn location makes it an icon of the Church, the Mother toward whom all peoples and all peoples converge. The Church, naturally, has only one richness: Christ. It is He who draws all to Himself; all peoples are journeying toward Him. Let us focus on the Magi. As we know, they were astrologers and were aware of the approach of Jupiter and Saturn in the constellation of Pisces, which occurred precisely in the year 7 BC. Since Jupiter represents the star of the king and Saturn that of Palestine, these astrologers had no doubts about the birth of a king in Israel. In fact, upon arriving in Jerusalem, as Matthew reminds us, they immediately ask where the newborn king of the Jews is (cf. Mt 2:2). In the Magi, so well represented by Bartolo, we therefore have a precious indication for reaching Christ: cosmic revelation. Creation brings us closer to the mystery of God; it is the album in which the divine syllables are written (cf. Wisdom 18:2-4). This is so true that a writer like A. Gide (1869-1951) stated: “Not believing in God is much more difficult than one might think. However, to continue to do so, one must forbid oneself from looking at nature and reflecting on what one sees.”

Commentary by b. Sandro Carotta, osb
Abbazia di Praglia (Italy)

Translation by f. Mark Hargreaves,
Prinknash Abbey