Hi!
Recently I was reminded of this quote by 19th Century Romantic painter Caspar David Friedrich:
"A picture must not be invented but felt."
Today I'll share a painting from Jean-Léon Gérôme — "L'Eminence Grise" (The Grey Eminence) — that definitely does just that for me.
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According to Wikipedia: Gérôme (1824 – 1904) was a French painter and sculptor in the style now known as academicism.
The range of his [works] included historical painting, Greek mythology, Orientalism, portraits, and other subjects, bringing the academic painting tradition to an artistic climax.
He is considered one of the most important painters from this academic period. He was also a teacher with a long list of students.
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There is a lovely realism to the figures and environments that populate his pieces — but many of his paintings also "tell a story" — while often stirring impassioned feelings from art lovers throughout the years.
"The Grey Eminence" is certainly in that category.
Masterfully painted and composed - this image creates a stark contrast between the elegantly dressed gentlemen — all either ascending up an elegant staircase in an opulent setting — or gazing directly at the lone priest to the right — revealing a reverence and respect for him as he descends the stairs — seemingly oblivious to everything and everyone except his Bible.
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Rather than trying to convey what this painting means to me — I'll let you draw your own conclusions about it.
But I'll give just a hint: I don't think this priest is completely worthy of their utter reverence....
Whether you agree or not I hope you'll enjoy looking at this amazing painting.
You'll find the entire image — along with some cropped "details" from it below.
* Please see the additional note about this painting below
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Click on the first two images to see the larger views
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| Jean-Léon Gérôme - L'Eminence Grise - 1873 |
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| Detail — Color and pageantry of the men to the left |
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| Detail of the priest to the right - This image is posted at its full resolution |
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| Detail of the colorfully dressed guard to the left - Also looking directly at the priest — This image is posted at its full resolution — |
* Note (11-8-18): I did a little research about this painting. It turns out that Gérôme intended this painting to represent a historical figure.
The priest is none other than "François Leclerc du Tremblay (1577 – 1638), also known as Père Joseph, who was a French Capuchin friar.
He was the original éminence grise — the French term ("grey eminence") — for a powerful advisor or decision-maker who operates secretly or unofficially.
(Leclerc is referred to in Alexandre Dumas' The Three Musketeers as the character Father Joseph, a powerful associate of Richelieu and one to be feared.)
He became a WAR MINISTER, and, though maintaining a personal austerity of life, gave himself up to diplomacy and politics."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89minence_grise
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fran%C3%A7ois_Leclerc_du_Tremblay
So it seems this was no ordinary "humble" priest descending the stairs — was a powerful man — pulling strings behind the scenes in government.
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I hope you appreciate this awesome painting as much as I do.
Thanks for stopping by!
See you again soon!
Hi Jephyr,
ReplyDeletethere is only one thought that comes into my mind as I look at this painting. The ones walking up the stairs are feeling and being compelled to revere the priest on the right, while the priest on the right appears to be quite a humbly dressed man who is focused on reading his Bible.
However, I am aware that if the priest is reading out loud the Bible to the bowing people, then it could be that the priest is included in the pressurising. I was just going by the humble look on the Bible reader's face. (He looks very much like a monk) It is definitely a talking picture to me regarding the state of much of the church today.
There is a great danger of worshipping the created more than, or instead of, the creator.
ReplyDeleteHi Brenda, Thank you so much for your comments. I love that you call this a "talking picture." There really is no "right" answer when it comes to what exactly it is saying — and I'd bet Gérôme would be pleased that we are discussing his work all these years later. I think you connected with the part of it I did though: It seems odd to me that someone would walk down stairs while reading. If you look at the enlarged image of the priest his mouth is closed — so I interpret that as he was reading to himself (although your idea is an interesting interpretation). It seems to me that all those men would have made a pretty obvious commotion as they were heading up the stairs (all the color and movement as they take their hats off and bow too) but the priest is simply ignoring them. It reminds me of seeing someone at a dinner table texting on their phone while ignoring everyone else at the table. So while these wealthy men are all showing reverence — the priest isn't acknowledging them in any way. Gérôme could have composed this work in any way so to me it seems he intended to show this contrast. Although the priest is dressed humbly (again contrasted with the elegant gentlemen) I feel that he is getting his ego boosted by their flattery and attention (his trade-off for "living humbly.") In Matthew 6:5 Jesus talked about doing spiritual things to "be seen" and that would be one's complete reward. That ties in with your last comment too — all these fine gentlemen are only showing respect to a MAN. Anyway — this is what I feel when I look at it — but each of us can have our own interpretation. Even Gérôme would have had his. Not that I'm claiming to be on his level as an artist — but I find that I can have a specific meaning for something I've painted or drawn etc — and it is often very interesting to hear people express what it means to them — which is often quite different than I intended. Thank you so much for taking the time to look at this post and analyze the painting and comment! God Bless you Brenda!
DeletePS: I just did some research about this painting and it turns out Gérôme was painting a historical figure. If you want to read more I added a note in the post above. Thank you again for commenting! God Bless and Heal you even as he refreshes the "dry bones" of His church and Israel.
DeleteJust read it Jephyr, now it becomes a different 'talking picture'. There almost appears to be a 'fear' in the ones walking up the steps and bowing to him. This reminds me of the scriptures, and how we get more knowledge of God as the truth of the Word is revealed to us through the Holy Spirit. There is no comparison between our wonderful God and this man in the painting who appears to be worshipped, and doesn't that Word help us to distinguish the difference between the spirits eh?
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely true Brenda. What would we do without the God breathed Word to guide us?! I'm sure you are right too — and I'd bet Gerome would even agree these men are all motivated by either fear or power. So not a lot has changed since then. It calls to mind Ecclesiastes 1:9: "What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun." Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
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