The Childhood of Christ. Gerrit van Honthorst (1620). “Image is used from www.hermitagemuseum.org, courtesy of The State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia”.
The aim of this task is to uplift the mind to the spiritual. Religious art can inspire meditation, prayer and spiritual intensity. It can give an insight into the life and work of Jesus. By studying the painting by Gerrit van Honthorst the viewer may have a deeper understanding of who Jesus is and enhance his/her relationship with Jesus.
Gerritt was a Dutch Golden Age painter. He was noted for his depiction of artificially lit scenes. He earned the nickname ‘Gerard of the Nights’. He was known for strong contrast between light and dark. – (chiaroscuro) Darkness is a dominating feature of the image. Drama added by adding a spotlight.
