Seeing Jesus More Clearly – DIA and Rembrandt

I was privileged, as the developer of LookUpDetroit, to be invited to a preview of the DIA’s “Rembrandt and the Faces of Jesus” Exhibit.  I had a great time seeing the collection.  I also met George Keyes, now retired, whom, when he was chief curator of the Detroit Institute of Arts and chair of the museum’s European Art department years ago, began the negotiations that resulted in this exhibit.   I heard Mr. Keyes discussing the painting entitled The Dinner at Emmaus, currently loaned to the DIA by the Louvre.   He was relating how this impending “Faces of Jesus” exhibit triggered the powers that be in Paris to have the painting cleaned, removing layers and layers of varnish.  I was fascinated by Mr. Keyes’ insights,  and pulled out my iphone and asked him to share the story for me on video.

There is a bit of a parallel between this contemporary event, and that walk with the resurrected Christ as He revealed the prophecies and images of Himself in the Hebrew Scriptures.  It was an eye-opening experience for those two disciples of Jesus.  I recently found this video from Pastor Tim Keller that deals with various images and pictures of Jesus in the Old Testament.

Please check out the two videos and you may see better what I’m trying to express.   The “Rembrandt and the Faces of Jesus” exhibit at the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) runs through Feb. 12. Try to go see it.  – R. Dalton

Detroit – DIA – Rembrant and the Faces of Jesus, originally uploaded by FatherDalton.

The Account from the Scriptures – The Gospel of Luke chapter 24.

And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread. – Luke 24:25-35 ESV

DIA Website

Interesting article from The Michigan Catholic

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