THE SYMBOL OF ST LUKE IN THE BOOK OF DURROW
August 29th 2025
Symbol of St Luke, (f.124v) The Book of Durrow, c.650 – c.700, Trinity College Dublin. This page opens the Gospel of Luke in the Book of Durrow. It shows a calf, or perhaps an ox, in a very simple and
CARAVAGGIO’S BEHEADING OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST
August 23rd 2025
“The Beheading of St John”, (detail), 1608, Caravaggio, Cathedral of St John, Valetta, Malta. This painting (3.7m X 5.2m) was the largest altarpiece that Caravaggio ever painted. It still hangs in situ in the Oratory of the Co-Cathedral of St
MURILLO’S FLOWER GIRL
August 16th 2025
“The Flower Girl”, Bartolomé Esteban Murillo (1665-1670), Dulwich Picture Gallery, London. The Sevillian artist, Murillo, often painted street urchins and children. This painting of a girl selling flowers is often seen as typical of his such works. Murillo shows a
Caravaggio’s Death of the Virgin
August 9th 2025
“Death of the Virgin”, 1601- 1605/06, Caravaggio, Louvre, Paris. The Virgin is surrounded by the Apostles and Mary Magdalene. Caravaggio is following the tradition that the apostles who had been dispersed to preach the gospel were miraculously transported to her
St Dominic in The Rosary Chapel at Vence
August 2nd 2025
“St Dominic”, Rosary Chapel, Vence, Henri Matisse, 1947-1951. I came across this image of St Dominic on the day I was given the Dominican habit. Fr Fergus clothed me and he mentioned it in his homily. This line drawing of
