Christ in the House of Martha and Mary

Introduction

    
    Christ in the House of Martha and Mary, created in collaboration with Peter Paul Rubens and Jan Breughel the Younger, two masters of the Baroque era, is an oil-on-oak painting that illustrated the stronghold of the Catholic Church during what were historically turbulent times using a classic story from the Bible. This piece was created in 1628 and currently resides in the National Gallery of Ireland. It was most likely created in Belgium. Although Peter Paul Ruebens spent time in Italy absorbing the art and culture, he eventually returned. Since both collaborators are Flemish, it was probably made in when he returned home from this excursion.

Backstory

     Jan Breughel Younger, who painted the landscape and still life, and Rubens, to whom the figures are attributed to, speak of a people’s struggle to honor and hold on to the only beliefs they had never known at that time, those of the Roman Catholic Church. In this scene the artist refer to a very profound biblical story. The gospel of Luke mentions that Christ visited the sisters Martha and Mary. Martha had become upset as her sister because she was not helping with their domestic duties and Christ replied that Mary had chosen better by listening to his words instead. 

    Artists traditionally painted the subjects as an interior scene. The move to an outdoor setting adds to the peaceful atmosphere of this painting. Therefore, conveying the peacefulness of the biblical characters. However, tension between the two women as highlighted in these paintings as well, and was recorded in the Book of Luke 10:40-42. These tension also symbolize the struggle going on within the church historically. They also symbolize the inner struggle of man in making existential choices, as such was a pertinent issue at the time.

Elemental Approach

    The elements in this painting that struck me where the colors, form, strokes, and use of chiaroscuro. The colors in the painting are very reminiscent of a storybook. There are a lot of primary, light colors that add to the feeling of an approachable and well-known story. There is also a lot of expression happening in the bodies and faces of the subjects. This helps the viewer conclude the relationship between the subjects in  context of the story. I also noticed a difference in strokes on the background and the subjects. It is interesting to look at a collaborative piece like this and see the two different styles of the painters. The painting in the background is less literal and more fairytail-ish and dreamlike. The painting of the subjects is more precise and focused on expression. It is still cohesive and the separate parts fit together well. 

    We can also see the Baroque style is characterized by exaggerated motion of the figures and clear detail used to produce drama in a simple moment. The chiaroscuro technique, which refers to the interplay between light and dark, and is kin to the Baroque era, is present here as well. Viewers can see the contrast between the light colors and the dark parts of the building, which create a contrast and help highlight the emotion and expression of the subjects. 

The Council of Trent 

    The Protestant Reformation initiated by Martin Luther in the 16th century to reform the Roman Catholic Church was crucial during the Baroque era where the Reformation and the Counter-Reformation where some of the most influential social factors. There was tension between the two opposing sides and there were a lot of tactics used to sway civilians, including Christ in the House of Martha and Mary.

     The Council of Trent sought out to preserve the message of the Catholic Church and try to revert art back to exclusively religious themes that inspired piety. There are countless examples of Baroque art reflecting this sentiment and how it relied heavily on religious themes. This painting depicts a popular biblical story painted by many other artists including Diego Velázquez, that inspired trust in the word of God. 

    This painting represents a look at the tactics of the Catholic Church in combatting against a number of forces that threatened it's power: the Protestant Reformation, new knowledge, strides in science, individualism, and overall progress. The Catholic Church didn't want to loose it's immense power, so it tried to condemn anything that led people in directions opposite it's loyalty and limiting artistic expression to fit it's agenda.

Emotions & Aesthetic 

    Personally, I am not a huge fan of this painting. I probably wouldn't have it in my house, but I think it is a very culturally relevant piece. I am much more drawn to the darker pieces with more dramatic and romantic features, but I thought it would be interesting to step outside of my comfort zone and analyze a collaborative piece, and that aspect is what made me choose it. It would have evoked a lot of emotion at the time, specifically for someone who was on the fence with their religion and caught between knew knowledge and the Counter-Reformation. It tells a story about someone choosing to listen to the word of Christ over all. This would have also appealed to a lot of the loyally religious folks. In this piece, I do appreciate the presence of the animals. I like how fruitful and alive it makes the scene appear. 

Work Cited 

Council of Trent. www.newadvent.org/cathen/15030c.htm. 

Rubens, Peter Paul. Peter Paul Rubens - Christ in the House of Martha and Mary. en.wahooart.com/@@/9GZJTS-Peter-Paul-Rubens-Christ-in-the-House-of-Martha-and-Mary. 

Younger, Jan Breughel the. Christ in the House of Martha and Mary. 1 Jan. 1970, onlinecollection.nationalgallery.ie/objects/8955/christ-in-the-house-of-martha-and-mary;jsessionid=9626B46D0EF8EF5A4C63CFB0E798BFE4?ctx=671c8cb8-75ec-496c-b1cd-ae000bb5cf71. 

Luke 10:38-42 - New International Version. www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+10%3A38-42. 

Brueghel Family: Jan Brueghel the Elder, www.janbrueghel.net/. 

The National Gallery, London. “Chiaroscuro” The National Gallery, www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/glossary/chiaroscuro. 

Baroque Art and Architecture Movement Overview. www.theartstory.org/movement/baroque-art-and-architecture/.