The Census at Bethlehem - Pieter Bruegel the Elder (c.1525/1530 - 1569)

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

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The Census at Bethlehem - Pieter Bruegel the Elder  (1566)

Flemish artist Pieter Bruegel the Elder depicts in this oil painting the Gospel scene from Luke 2: 1-4 as a Flemish village in the winter.  In the detail below, Mary and Joseph make their way to the building to be counted in the census.  

Detail The Census at Bethlehem

Mary and Joseph register for the census before Governor Quirinius - Byzantine Mosaic  (c. 1315)

Luke 2: 1-4 

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled.  This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria.  So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town.   And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 

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Picture Source - Public Domain

The Role of Religious Art in Faith Formation - Month of December 2019 Index

For church supplies and  gift items

related to the Catholic Church

please visit Lynn's Timeless Treasures 

Mary and Joseph Journey to Bethlehem in Religious Art

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

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Mary and Joseph on the way to Bethlehem - Hugo Van der Goes (1430/1440 - 1482)

Journey to Bethlehem - c. 1320  mosaic Istanbul, Turkey

Mary and Joseph made this 80 mile journey to Bethlehem when Mary was near her time to give birth. There were no paved roads, no rest stops, they did not have advanced reservations for accommodations and they traveled by donkey. Just something to reflect on while reading the Gospel passage below which is depicted in the artwork above.   

Luke 2: 1-4 

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled.  This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria.  So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town.   And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 

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Picture Source - Public Domain

The Role of Religious Art in Faith Formation - Month of December 2019 Index

For church supplies and  gift items

related to the Catholic Church

please visit Lynn's Timeless Treasures 

Dream of Saint Joseph in Religious Art - Rembrandt, Giotto and Philippe de Champaigne

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

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Dream of Saint Joseph - Philippe de Champaigne (1602-1674)

Dream of Saint Joseph - Rembrandt (1606-1669)

There are three dreams of Saint Joseph mentioned in scripture.  They are from the first and second chapter of Matthew.  The first painting by Philippe de Champaigne may be from Matthew 1:20-24 as it appears Jesus has not been born yet.  The second by Rembrandt is probably a reference to Matthew 2:13 -14 where Joseph is warned to leave Bethlehem for Egypt.  

Matthew 1:20-24

Behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:

 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son,

and they shall name him Emmanuel,”

which means “God is with us.”

When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.

Matthew 2: 13 – 14

When they had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt,

and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.” Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt.

Flight to Egypt - Giotto di Bondone (1267 - 1337)

Matthew 2: 19 -21

When Herod had died, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.”  He rose, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel.

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Picture Source - Public Domain

The Role of Religious Art in Faith Formation - Month of December 2019 Index

For church supplies and  gift items 

related to the Catholic Church

please visit Lynn's Timeless Treasures 

Marriage of the Virgin Mary in Religious Art

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

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Though the Marriage of the Virgin Mary is not mentioned in the canonical Gospels it has been portrayed in paintings by numerous artists.  

Marriage of the Virgin - Giotto di Bondone (1267 - 1337)

Marriage of the Virgin - Perugino (c.1446/1452 - 1523)

Marriage of the Virgin - Raphael (1483 - 1520)

Marriage of the Virgin - El Greco (1541 - 1614)

The Marriage of the Virgin - Jerome Martin Langlois (1779 - 1838)

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Picture Source - Public Domain
Role of Religious Art in Faith Formation - Index 

For church supplies and  gift items
related to the Catholic Church
please visit Lynn's Timeless Treasures