A Master's Masterpiece

"Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven." And He laid His hands on them and departed from there. Matthew 19: 14-15

My love of art has inspired me thru much of my adult life to take advantage of any opportunity to see masterpieces. Words cannot describe the emotional experience that is captured and conveyed thru these great works of art. Throughout history art has been the primary means of illustrating a story, capturing a memory, or preserving history. According to David John Meyers, author of The Illustrated Life of Jesus, "the story of Jesus has inspired some of the world's finest works of art." He continues, "masterpieces by the Flemish and Dutch school painters, as well as the beloved artists of the Renaissance, depict Jesus' life with transcendent artistry and depth of feeling, enhancing our experience of the gospels and inviting us to look anew at their timeless message."

Vogel's "Christ and the Little Children" is no exception to this experience. Like so many artists, Carl Christian Vogel Von Vogelstein spent time studying the masters as part of his journey in becoming a master himself. These types of studies often included countless hours standing in front of a masterpiece while doing one's best to replicate what was before them. A careful inspection of each brush stroke, the masters' use of color to build depth and light, and finally an attempt to mimic the master artist was part and parcel of the experience that is studying art. I cannot help but think that studying masterworks in this way is more of a rite of passage than an endeavor of bettering oneself in becoming an artist.

Nona must have spent countless hours standing in front of Vogel's "Christ and the Little Children" and Correggio's "Holy Night" while conducting her study of these masterworks. But this would mean she would have traveled to Europe sometime before the dedication of these pieces to the Central Christian Church in 1938. In the letter from my grandfather, he mentions that Nona did research in Italy, London, and Paris in 1930. Perhaps it was during this trip that she conducted her study of these and most likely many more masterpieces.

The completion of these "two beautiful paintings" must have been a great accomplishment for her and perhaps the pinnacle of her creations up to this point in her life. The importance and significance for which these paintings were completed speaks to this. It must have been a great honor for Nona to have been able to contribute to the church where her parent's were founding members and more importantly, to have one of the pieces dedicated in her mother's honor. What I can say for certain, is that I can't wait to see the master's masterpiece.