The Third Sorrowful Mystery: The Crowning With Thorns

Image and text credit: Crowning With Thorns, Sir Anthony Van Dyck

The contrast between the serenity of Christ and the villainy of his captors is vigorously conveyed in this early work by Van Dyck. The composition, as so often, is based on a prototype by Titian, of whom Van Dyck was a passionate admirer. But the influence of Rubens is also crucial, and the presentation is typically baroque: the viewer is forced into the role of a close but helpless witness of the violence enacted. The effect is reinforced by Van Dyck's textures - for instance the exposed and brilliant chest of Christ against the gleaming precision of the axe above or the fluid musculature of the tormentor beside it.

The Third Sorrowful Mystery: The Crowning With Thorns

Image credit: Christ Crowned With Thorns (No. 7), Durer

The Third Sorrowful Mystery: The Crowning With Thorns

Image and text credit: Christ Wearing the Crown of Thorns, Supported by Angels, Carracci

Christ, shown at the centre of this work as a half-length figure supported by two angels, dominates the picture. His naked upper body leans forward and slightly to the left, a movement continued by his head, which bears the crown of thorns and is surrounded by a halo. The face of the Saviour, shown in profile, streams with blood and is partly cast in shadow by the heavy crown of thorns; the eyes and mouth are half-open. Christ wears a white cloth about his loins, and a red cloak slips from his shoulders. The angel to the left is clothed in a white cape held together by a brooch and supports Christ's bent right arm with his two hands, placed one on top of the other. To the right a second angel, mouth open, looks upwards in lamentation. The light, shining flesh tones of the Saviour are lent additional intensity by their contrast with the warm, yellowish-brown of the wall behind. To the right is a narrow stretch of countryside with a tree leaning to the right, in a compositional correspondence with Christ's twisted body.

The Third Sorrowful Mystery: The Crowning With Thorns

Image credit: Head of Christ Crowned With Thorns, Lucas Cranach the elder

The Second Sorrowful Mystery: The Scourging at the Pillar

Image credit: Vir Dolorum (Man of Sorrows), Master Francke

From today's Mass petitions:

I thought of all my fellow Church Ladies during Mass this morning as we prayed the following:

For all devout women

that they may hear God's voice

and be instruments of His grace.

Amen and have a blessed day, Ladies!

The Second Sorrowful Mystery: The Scourging at the Pillar

Image credit: Ecce Homo, Valdes Leal

March 25

Bottom line: have a steak for the Savior tomorrow -- no need for guilt.

Image Credit: William-Adolphe Bouguereau

The Second Sorrowful Mystery: The Scourging at the Pillar

Image credit: Christ as the Man of Sorrows, Coter

40 Meatless Meals: Quick Potato Leek Soup

3 T butter
4 leeks, finely chopped

8 cups stock
4 cups instant mashed potato flakes

salt, pepper, thyme, and parsley

Sautee leeks in butter in a stockpot until bright green. Transfer leeks to a bowl. Bring stock to boil; whisk in potato flakes. Heat through; season to taste.