Easter Expressions Through Art

Each year Easter brings a new slant for me, and I find myself experiencing a particular aspect in more depth then the rest.  This year I found three things stayed with me through out the week proceeding.  The first was actually the birth of Christ.  I suppose having studied Isaiah 53 would be part of the reason.  

"Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? 

 " For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him."

Isaiah 53:1,2

This particular painting is not a classic, and it's actually fairly recent, but I enjoy it because of the lighting.  I also wonder as to the role of the small shepherd.  (Painting by Joseph Brickey)

The second "image" of Easter was the Jewish Sabbath after all the events of Christ's final mortal days on this earth.  Did the air feel still, hovering, a dying thing?  Which words were spoken? Which were not? I don't know of any paintings of this time.  There are many of the cross, His trial, Gethsemane; are there any pictures of Peter leaning against a corner, holding himself, his face wearing the signs of a bitter cry?  Are there paintings of the women waiting pensively for the sabbath to pass, herbs ready, to prepare the body? 

The most prominent image in my mind, above all else, was early morning, a bright and powerful sun breaking it's softness with tidings and declarations; all heaven quivering on earth's brink, desiring to sing aloud.  Trumpets.  There are many paintings of the morning of resurrection, my favorite is not available yet, and though this isn't a painting from the morning of the resurrection it carries the feeling of Easter morning...

The image of Christ on the cross is not the prominent one for me at this time of year, not because I don't want to remember the suffering, Isaiah presents that in vivid artistry, but the Joy to be had when death (physical death and spiritual death) was conquered, ever defeated, is incomprehensible.  The final word was Christ rising triumphant from the tomb.   As I contemplate all Easter art, word, painting, music...I find the one that seems most significant at this time is singing.  Aloud and en mass.  So,  these two links paint the perfect Easter picture for me, at least this year, in art. 

Christ The Lord Is Risen Today 

Hallelujah Chorus 

X.

Death, be not proud, though some have called thee 

Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so ; 

For those, whom thou think'st thou dost overthrow, 

Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me. 

...

One short sleep past, we wake eternally, 

And Death shall be no more,  Death, thou shalt die. 

- John Donne