c o m m o n p e o p l e e v e n t Krzysztof Romankiewicz the story of one painting - the story of one night

Transcription

1 c o m m o n uncommon p e o p l e e v e n t Krzysztof Romankiewicz the story of one painting - the story of one night

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3 Two thousand years ago, during a traditional paschal supper twelve men heard words that made an enormous impression on them. The Last Supper was a breakthrough moment in the history of Christianity. In this publication, we are attempting to express the atmosphere of this event, particularly emotions of its participants, the apostles. We would like to present individual expressions of the characters. The convention adopted in the painting which serves as basis for this album is a far cry from the generally accepted standards and was in no way intended to challenge the principles of the Church.

4 H u m a n i t y The face of a man who knows that His end and His suffering are near. Calm, accepting eyes. The Gospel praises Jesus as a man of strength, charisma and justice. But when it comes to his looks, an attempt to describe the most probable image requires reaching to the customs, culture and anatomy of the people who lived in Palestine during the first century of our era. There are no images of Jesus preserved from this period of time. Jews strictly obeyed the rule of not painting figures. When discussing His look, one can assume with great probability that Jesus had long hair, according to a popular look of that time and a long beard as well. Jesus, who was looked after by women and men, was probably well groomed and could have had rich clothes. They included, among others, a white ritual coat with purple stripes, a close fitting long tunic and sandals. The impact of Jesus on the crowd, the way he taught or addressed Pontius Pilate means that he was a man of certain pride, despite characteristic humble attitude of His. Jesus

5 Everything is so strange, unnerving, incomprehensible. A young boy, a child faces problems that are overwhelming his inexperienced mind. c o n f i d e n c e At the time of the Last Supper, John was the youngest of the apostles. He might have been 10 or 12 at that time. This may be evidenced by the fact that he wrote the Gospel in years He was treated cordially by Jesus, as if he was his son. John reciprocated this with full admiration for His Lord, he worshipped Him as his idol. John accompanied Jesus in all events and was with Him at all times, never to leave His side. During the Last Supper, John sits next to Jesus. He is a bit sleepy and probably does not fully understand this unusual commotion among the apostles. John

6 To carry the entire Church, to become its foundation. A stooped posture of a man - a strong man. Peter s t r e n g t h His face is full of expression and demonstrates big tension. His arms express reflection, certainty and determination at the same time. He was the most important apostle. All catalogues of the New Testament list Peter (Simon) first. His name comes from the translation of the Greek Petros, the Hebrew kefa, meaning the rock. His first name was Simon, the son of Jonah, and he came from the village of Bethsaida in Galilee. The Gospels present Peter as a decisive and impulsive man who feels strong, manly and courageous, yet at the same time can be petty and hesitant. As an adult, Peter lived in Capernaum at the Sea of Galilee, where he worked as a fisherman. We can therefore assume that he was welloff. At that time, fishermen were respected in the society, also for their good earnings. During the Last Supper, he sits next to Jesus. His face is full of expression and demonstrates big tension. At the same time, it is a face of someone mature and charismatic.

7 w i s d o m In spite of his Greek name, which would demonstrate the extent of Greek culture s influence in the Middle East, Andrew was Jewish and a brother to Peter the Apostle. Whether he was older or younger than Peter is difficult to determine. Andrew was the first disciple, he persuaded his brother Simon (Peter the Apostle) to join the Teacher. Among twelve Apostles he is the one to hold the second place. Andrew, just like Peter, was a reasonable, intelligent man who could think logically, draw conclusions and justify his opinion. One can also assume he was educated: he knew the Greek language. In the painting, we see Andrew who looks up on Jesus with great concern, but also devotion. Andrew

8 A man of the desert, a wanderer, a pilgrim. A face battered with wind, head covered with a scarf. Hard, determined, yet with a humble look h u m i l i t y The light and shade that shape the silhouette of Simon Cananeus allow us to recognise a man of the desert, wanderer and pilgrim. His wind-beaten face, head covered by a scarf, the way he walks - this is a man of hardship who has been used to a bonfire rather than a table. Simon Cananeus was also called Zelotes from Greek, which means zealous. Names identified with him might be aimed to distinguish him from Peter (Simon), but they also describe his character. Perhaps he was one of the oldest apostles and one of the most devoted, zealous, full of passion and deeply believing in everything Jesus has taught. His missionary activity was probably carried out together with Jude Thaddeus. He died around year 80 in Persia. He was one of the most devoted apostles, full of passion and deeply believing in everything Jesus has taught. Simon Cananeus

9 d o u b t Unless I see the nail marks in His hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe. J(20; 25) Doubt - the curse God gives to those strong enough to carry it. To get closer to the truth through doubt He was a very mysterious character when it comes to the origins of his name - from the Hebrew T`om and his nickname Didynos from Greek - which in both cases means twin. He is known for his doubting. He was the only apostle who did not believe in the resurrection of Jesus. Thomas

10 devotion James, the son of Alphaeus, known as James the Lesser was also one of the Twelve Apostles. He was Jewish and died in year 62 in rather peculiar circumstances of interregnum. The revoked procurator Festus left an empty spot until his successor Albin arrived. This situation was used by Annas, the high priest, who sentenced James to death by stoning. There is no information on his profession and who James was when he was called and taught by Jesus. In the painting, James the Lesser is presented sitting/reclining, in line with traditional dining customs of the Mediterranean culture. His clothes were typical for the times he lived in and the season: a coat/ cape in characteristic blue stripes. James the Lesser

11 This moment... H a n d s s t o p p e d amidst silent cry seem to be stopping Judas

12 calmness A well-balanced and calm pilgrim, caring, an epitome of justice and kindness James the Greater James the Greater was a brother of John the Apostle. He was called together with his brother when he was a fisherman mending nets at Lake Tiberias. He was called James the Greater to distinguish him from James the Lesser and he was the older brother of John the Apostle. A well balanced and calm pilgrim, caring, an epitome of justice and kindness. In addition to these features of a truly delicate man, he could command respect with his posture. Because of his job as a fisherman, he exhibited physical strength. His nickname was the Son of Thunder to stress his physical, but also moral strength.

13 Mournful, quiet, distrustful, cunning - the dark side of hu- r e m o r s e man nature Gloomy, quiet, distrustful, cunning - an unfriendly type of person. He forced others to act as subjects and depend on him. He looked down on others because of his profession. He was a customs officer, a collector of taxes and charges. He pursued a profession that was commonly regarded dishonourable. But at the same time, it elevated him in the social hierarchy and provided appropriate material status. Matthew, the son of Alpheus, was initially called Levi. This is how Evangelists Mark and Luke refer to him. The most certain information regarding Matthew s name is that when Jesus called Levi to be his disciple, he gave him the Hebrew name Mattay, which is translated as the gift of God. He won Jesus favour when he was praying in the temple, saying: God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Matthew

14 f a i t h son of a ploughman, your face darkened, your appearance calm you listen, you wait, you remain Bartholomew An educated man with high social position, an authority for the citizens. In the painting, Bartholomew s face expresses calmness, confidence and self-esteem. He does not fall prey to emotions like the other apostles, bust stays calm and distanced. Bartholomew was a Jew born and raised in Cana of Galilee. He probably died in year 70 in Albanopolis, Armenia. His name derives from Aramaic bar-tôlmay, which can mean the son of Tolmay or Greek-Aramaic bar-thalomaios, which means son of the ploughman. Bartholomew is identified by John the Evangelist as Nathanael, which in Hebrew means Given of God. It is highly probable that this is the same person. Bartholomew came from Cana of Galilee. It was by his protection that Jesus participated in a wedding where he turned water into wine.

15 Philip Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us J(14;7) The man whose reaction to Jesus words is the most expressive is Philip. He is raised, his arms are open, and his face expresses utter surprise to what Jesus said. Philip was the older brother of Peter and Andrew and was a very serious person. He was married, he had a few daughters and probably this is why he was cautious and reasonable in his actions. His vigorous response to Jesus words may therefore be so surprising for us.

16 Thaddeus concern He distances himself from the events happening during the Last Supper. His face expresses concern, the hand touching beard expresses thought, pondering. Thaddeus often goes by the name of Jude, which defines a noble man who is treated with great respect. Jude, in Hebrew: Jehuda, means Yahweh glory, whereas Thaddeus, in Aramaic: Tadda, means breast, worthy of worship, courageous. Thaddeus is the apostle worried about Jesus, about their future. John the Evangelist pictures him during the Supper as someone puzzled who doesn t understand the present situation and fears its consequences. Thaddeus thinks that Jesus direction is wrong. He would like to draw attention to the fact that the Master doesn t trust them.

17 scared eyes looking with t e r r o r, a n angry, implacable face betrayal Cold frightened eyes: the face of a traitor. Judas, an extraordinary character among the Apostles. A man who is trustworthy, cautious, who has the traits of an honest person. This is why Jesus entrusted him the role of a treasurer. But at the Last Supper, Judas s face is cold, his eyes are greedy yet afraid, his hand is shaking - he is a traitor. He betrayed his Lord and Teacher for thirty silver coins, he condemned Him to suffering and death. He punished himself for this. Tormented by guilt, he took his life. Judas was placed in the middle of the painting. His hand is holding a moist bread he received from Jesus who thus pointed out to his traitor. Judas

18 When it was evening, He came with the twelve, And when the hour was come, He sat down, and the twelve apostles with him Łk(22;14)

19 When the enthusiast and researcher of Judaism and early Christianity Krzysztof Romankiewicz penetrated the source materials, he was astounded to learn how little information there is on the Last Supper and the Apostles. Based on fragmentary information and the historical and anthropological context, he prepared a study which was then used for the painting by a world-known painter Bogumił Hoder. Is this what it looked like in reality? We do not know, though it is highly probable. Certainly the emotional message contained in the characters brings us closer to their human nature, whereas the surrounding presents the reality of those times.

20 Painting The Last Supper is a joint effort of the founder and originator - Krzysztof Romankiewicz and of the painter - Bogumił Hoder. This huge work with the dimensions 270 x 150 cm is a realistic reflection of the vision of Krzysztof Romankiewicz who was always interested in the history of the Jews and Christianity. Development of the idea was mainly based on the Gospels (these are only texts which are describing the Passover feast), Bible atlases, encyclopaedias, even on materials from the excavations. Painting this vision has been commissioned eminent painter and photographer - Bogumił Hoder. A year of hard work, long hours of debates, the constant search gave the effect of a wonderful painting. Editor Krzysztof Romankiewicz Painter Bogumił Hoder Design Wydawnictwo Reklamowe Górscy All rights reserved

21 Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him J(17;1-4,23)