Praying the Angelus with Art

Macha Chmakoff has produced some amazing biblical images, including numerous Annunciations, some of which are endlessly pinned to Pinterest, and others which seem to have a more eclectic following. 

Here is her Annonciation, Marie dansant.

Praying the Angelus with Art: This Week's Image

From the Museum of the Prado, a powerful Annunciation by El Greco, this one combining the Annunciation with Mary's title (and icon) in the Eastern Church, "Our Lady of the Burning Bush." An antiphon in the Evening Prayer for the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God (January 1) also sees the Burning Bush as a "type" or prophetic foreshadowing of Mary: "Your blessed and fruitful virginity is like the bush, flaming yet unburned, which Moses saw on Sinai. Pray for us, Mother of God." 

The Museum website offers extensive commentary on this work.

Image ©Museum of the Prado

Praying the Angelus with Art: This Week's Image

On this Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, another Annunciation from last week's featured artist, Francisco Rizi (circa 1663). It's interesting to compare the two! 

The mystery of the Assumption has very much to do with Mary's divine maternity. Preserved from original sin in view of the Son of God taking his flesh from her, Mary's body now participates fully in his Resurrected life. She is the first of the redeemed, a sign to all of us of our calling!

Image ©Museo Nacional del Prado

Praying the Angelus with Art: This Week's Image

The uniquely traditional modern art of Emmanuel Cusnaider, a young artist in Argentina. You can watch his works in progress through his Facebook page and on Instagram; I'll feature a few of his Annunciations here this year, too!