St Matthew Frans Hals (1582-1666)
Frans Hals – St Matthew
Edit attribution
Download full size: 848×1070 px (0,1 Mb)
Painter: Frans Hals
Album navigation:
Edit attribution
Download full size: 848×1070 px (0,1 Mb)
Painter: Frans Hals
Edit attribution
Download full size: 848×1070 px (0,1 Mb)
Painter: Frans Hals
COMMENTS: 1 Ответы
FOUR GARDENS
Four gardens of the spirit
Are given to us in shades of perception –
So that we do not fall into the realm of pits,
But loves embrace may open.
John is utterly mystical,
The other three gardens are clearer to us.
Alas! – sins weave a fog,
Stronger than any before.
Four gardens... and one...
Our thoughts are clouded over.
But our heavenly Lord
Still endures our numbers.
* * *
Through Johns mystical garden,
How clear is earthly life?
A meadow of golden light,
A wave of dove-colored light.
Are there so few changes in the world?
They have all gone into materiality.
Inability to see more broadly
Torments us within the confines of earth.
The word that gave life and reality,
We live a life of the dead – such banality,
Trading it for words.
A bend is acceptable instead of straightness.
And forgetting the inferno looming over us,
We rush about, we sing...
* * *
Clouded thoughts on earth,
The true word we have distorted.
We are always sifting through ashes,
Considering them to be gold.
Grass, forests, water... but what if
They speak no less than Matthew?
You suppose, shivering,
Included in the common circle of life?
But it is necessary to split –
From the heart – the stony flesh,
Then, with what soul is in your heart,
You will touch true water,
Drink it, and escape from trouble,
And warm yourself with truth.
* * *
Mark is a vault of radiant heights,
Corresponding to the common scale
So that we do not perish in the pit
Of our passions, other peoples generosity.
Mark is a malachite tide,
A wave, and greenish moss.
... but when will you approach that point?
How terrible is the roar of perspectives?
You – and not Mark, you are a person,
Whose long-lasting Thursday
Is ready to curse – you do not understand
The meaning of peculiar words,
That go by the power of basics,
Whose light you always lose in everyday life.
* * *
(... word is greenery, word is jasper...)
Old Luke works hard.
For a victory that will not be given, but
So far, victory is distant.
Here is Christ, he is рядом with them.
Dialogue with life is complicated.
Or has a man, wretched,
Frozen under the gaze of the future?
Peculiar pictures
Of breathing existence.
Reasons for despair,
Again, I see, sinful one.
May my soul gather
Celestial carmines!
You cannot comment Why?
The older man’s attire consists of a simple monastic robe, rendered in muted earth tones that contribute to the overall somber atmosphere. His beard and hair are long and unkempt, further emphasizing his age and perhaps suggesting a life dedicated to spiritual pursuits rather than worldly concerns. The lighting is dramatic; a strong light source illuminates his face and hands, highlighting their texture and detail while leaving much of the background in deep shadow. This contrast directs attention to the central figures and reinforces the sense of introspection.
The younger figure’s expression is one of earnest curiosity, mirroring the older mans focused concentration. The proximity between them suggests a relationship of mentorship or familial connection; perhaps the young person is learning from the elders wisdom.
The open book itself is significant. Its pages are broad and appear well-used, hinting at frequent consultation. It serves as the focal point of their shared attention, implying that knowledge and understanding are central to their existence. The text it contains remains unseen, leaving its specific content ambiguous but suggesting a source of guidance or revelation.
The dark background creates a sense of enclosure, isolating the figures from the external world and intensifying their inward focus. It also contributes to an overall feeling of solemnity and reverence.
Subtly, there is a tension between the man’s aged appearance and the youthful eagerness of the figure beside him. This juxtaposition could be interpreted as representing the transmission of knowledge across generations or the enduring power of faith and learning through time. The painting evokes themes of scholarship, piety, and the importance of mentorship in the pursuit of wisdom.