The Visitation - Tintoretto (1518 - 1594)

“Christian iconography expresses in images the same Gospel message that Scripture communicates by words. Image and word illuminate each other.” (CCC 1160)

The Visitation - Tintoretto 

Italian painter Tintoretto, often called ll Furioso “The Furious” because of his phenomenal energy, created this oil on canvas The Visitation around 1549.  The painting depicts the moment from Luke’s Gospel that Mary greets her cousin Elizabeth who is pregnant with John the Baptist.  At the meeting of the two women, John the Baptist leaps in his mother’s womb to which Elizabeth reacts by declaring to Mary, “Blessed art though among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.”  This being the first portion of the Catholic prayer the Hail Mary.  Mary then responds with her song of praise the Magnificat. 

Luke 1: 39 -45

During those days Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.  When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.  And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?  For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.  Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”

Luke 1: 46 – 56
Magnificat

And Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; 

my spirit rejoices in God my savior. 

For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness; 

behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed.

The Mighty One has done great things for me, 

and holy is his name. 

His mercy is from age to age   

to those who fear him. 

He has shown might with his arm, 

dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart.

He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly. 

The hungry he has filled with good things; 

the rich he has sent away empty. 

He has helped Israel his servant, 

remembering his mercy, 

according to his promise to our fathers, 

to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.  

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Picture Source - Wikipedia 

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