Review by Angeline Tan
For years, I thought that art critique and appreciation necessitated a certain level of erudition, historical knowledge, as well as the so-called “keen eye for art”, which I did not possess. Thus, whenever I strolled past stunning paintings, such as those from French painter Nicolas Poussin, or his Spanish counterpart Diego Velázquez, I was pretty certain that my amateurish responses to these masterpieces were mere babblings, if anything at all.
Yet after reading Fr Armand de Malleray (FSSP)’s recent book, Painting Salvation, while en route to Rome, the Eternal City, a vibrant canvas where jaw-dropping pieces of Catholic art inspire and elevate souls to God, I was glad to be proven wrong in my views regarding art evaluation.
Yet after reading Fr Armand de Malleray (FSSP)’s recent book, Painting Salvation, while en route to Rome, the Eternal City, a vibrant canvas where jaw-dropping pieces of Catholic art inspire and elevate souls to God, I was glad to be proven wrong in my views regarding art evaluation.
A captivating exploration of twelve classical religious paintings by art titans like La Tour, Michelangelo, Raphael, Caravaggio, Claude, Vermeer, Titian, and more, Painting Salvation provides readers with a distinctive combination of Catholic reflections and art appreciation, from a primarily devotional perspective. Interestingly, Fr de Malleray’s choice of paintings is diverse, featuring some renowned pieces like Titian’s “Noli Me Tangere” and Caravaggio’s “The Calling of Saint Matthew”.
In his book, Fr de Malleray assures readers that ordinary Catholics can still evaluate great paintings and comment on what these œuvres d'art portray and signify, despite lacking the relevant academic qualifications. He contends that as long as Catholic readers are acquainted with the fundamental tenets of their Catechism, they would be able to identify and appreciate the truths elucidated by these Catholic paintings, while simultaneously fortifying their Faith and fostering their piety in the process. Put simply, quality Catholic art can enhance one’s Catholic devotion and spiritual meditations.
.png)
Notably, Painting Salvation investigates how beautiful Catholic paintings (i.e. the twelve selected masterpieces), can elevate viewers closer to God with a blend of symbolism, artistic beauty, and theological knowledge. Additionally, Fr de Malleray likens Painting Salvation to a sailing boat, with each of the twelve paintings evaluated acting as one of the sails of the boat. Just as sails are stretched across perpendicular frames in the direction of a destination yet unseen, these paintings point viewers towards a limited facet of the ultimate reality of Divine Revelation and God’s plan for the salvation of mankind.
Also, apart from decorative/aesthetic purposes, art can function as a spiritual signpost directing souls toward God. As Fr de Malleray states, rather than detract from the reality of Catholic truth and dogma, paintings (and wholesome Catholic art as a whole) can bring God’s presence and the mysteries of the Faith into readers’ daily lives, thus illustrating how Catholics can encounter God and grace through piously meditating on Catholic masterpieces.
Furthermore, in clear and lyrical prose, Fr de Malleray beautifully weaves in theological insights and Catholic doctrine, linking each painting to Catholic dogma and scriptural references to invite readers to both mediate and participate in the gravitas of salvation history. True enough, Fr de Malleray’s commentaries exhort readers to use their intellect and senses to pray with these paintings and to marvel at divinely revealed truths.
.png)
For instance, after I visited the Church of Saint Louis of the French (San Luigi dei Francesi) near Rome’s famous Piazza Navona and set my eyes on Caravaggio’s “The Calling of Saint Matthew”, I found Fr de Malleray’s commentary on the painting particularly edifying and useful for meditation. Some excerpts from the commentary include:
“A quick glance at the composition shows a man sitting at a table among other characters as two visitors walk into the room. The life of this man, Matthew, is about to change. But such a change will be spiritual, hence invisible. Inside Matthew’s soul, life outlook, goal and interests will be radically altered through an encounter. The painter’s challenge is to display before our eyes, through shapes, colours and lines, this non-visible change.
“Looking at the painting should thus affect us bystanders. We may not be the same afterwards. Or might we? In a way, personal change is the very topic of this picture. What we hear, watch, read and even what we eat influences us for better or worse. Our life is like a painting in progress if we are reading this, or like a high-density picture not yet fully displayed on our computer screen.
“Do we care who will consider the story of our life once completed, and what its meaning will be? Matthew did care; and meaning was revealed to him.”
Instead of simply being another scholarly commentary on various art works, Painting Salvation is an edifying devotional aid made highly accessible for ordinary Catholic readers. Each chapter of the book makes meaningful connections between the painting undergoing scrutiny and Catholic teaching, helping readers not merely to sharpen their “sense of aesthetics” but also to grow spiritually, based on Catholic tradition and beauty. Indeed, “Painting Salvation” proves that sacred art, such as the twelve selected masterpieces, can not only portray beauty, but also serve as useful tools for evangelization and catechesis.
.png)
For readers looking for ways to blend artistic appreciation with spiritual meditations and a contemplation of the sublime, Fr de Malleray’s Painting Salvation, a masterful mix of scholarly erudition and pious devotion, is a must-read.
Fr de Malleray has led numerous catechetical tours in major art galleries. His latest book is available on malleray.com and on Amazon.
In his book, Fr de Malleray assures readers that ordinary Catholics can still evaluate great paintings and comment on what these œuvres d'art portray and signify, despite lacking the relevant academic qualifications. He contends that as long as Catholic readers are acquainted with the fundamental tenets of their Catechism, they would be able to identify and appreciate the truths elucidated by these Catholic paintings, while simultaneously fortifying their Faith and fostering their piety in the process. Put simply, quality Catholic art can enhance one’s Catholic devotion and spiritual meditations.
.png)
Also, apart from decorative/aesthetic purposes, art can function as a spiritual signpost directing souls toward God. As Fr de Malleray states, rather than detract from the reality of Catholic truth and dogma, paintings (and wholesome Catholic art as a whole) can bring God’s presence and the mysteries of the Faith into readers’ daily lives, thus illustrating how Catholics can encounter God and grace through piously meditating on Catholic masterpieces.
Furthermore, in clear and lyrical prose, Fr de Malleray beautifully weaves in theological insights and Catholic doctrine, linking each painting to Catholic dogma and scriptural references to invite readers to both mediate and participate in the gravitas of salvation history. True enough, Fr de Malleray’s commentaries exhort readers to use their intellect and senses to pray with these paintings and to marvel at divinely revealed truths.
.png)
For instance, after I visited the Church of Saint Louis of the French (San Luigi dei Francesi) near Rome’s famous Piazza Navona and set my eyes on Caravaggio’s “The Calling of Saint Matthew”, I found Fr de Malleray’s commentary on the painting particularly edifying and useful for meditation. Some excerpts from the commentary include:
“A quick glance at the composition shows a man sitting at a table among other characters as two visitors walk into the room. The life of this man, Matthew, is about to change. But such a change will be spiritual, hence invisible. Inside Matthew’s soul, life outlook, goal and interests will be radically altered through an encounter. The painter’s challenge is to display before our eyes, through shapes, colours and lines, this non-visible change.
“Looking at the painting should thus affect us bystanders. We may not be the same afterwards. Or might we? In a way, personal change is the very topic of this picture. What we hear, watch, read and even what we eat influences us for better or worse. Our life is like a painting in progress if we are reading this, or like a high-density picture not yet fully displayed on our computer screen.
“Do we care who will consider the story of our life once completed, and what its meaning will be? Matthew did care; and meaning was revealed to him.”
Instead of simply being another scholarly commentary on various art works, Painting Salvation is an edifying devotional aid made highly accessible for ordinary Catholic readers. Each chapter of the book makes meaningful connections between the painting undergoing scrutiny and Catholic teaching, helping readers not merely to sharpen their “sense of aesthetics” but also to grow spiritually, based on Catholic tradition and beauty. Indeed, “Painting Salvation” proves that sacred art, such as the twelve selected masterpieces, can not only portray beauty, but also serve as useful tools for evangelization and catechesis.
.png)
For readers looking for ways to blend artistic appreciation with spiritual meditations and a contemplation of the sublime, Fr de Malleray’s Painting Salvation, a masterful mix of scholarly erudition and pious devotion, is a must-read.
Fr de Malleray has led numerous catechetical tours in major art galleries. His latest book is available on malleray.com and on Amazon.
