Driven by love...

There is only one painting of Da Vinci in Germany. It is the Madonna and Child which can be seen in the Alte Pinakothek in Munich.

It is a small painting, but highly regarded because Leonardo used techniques which were innovative.

It is a beautiful painting, with Mary’s braided hair, the striking colours and the wonderful shades of light on the two main characters.

But the painting is so special because it portrays an intimate, loving relationship between mother and child.

In the painting Leonardo managed through intricate techniques to paint a carnation in the middle of the painting.


Note the detail:
























The carnation is a very important symbol. The viewer who knows the symbolism will understand how this carnation changes the message of the painting drastically. The carnation was namely in those times a symbol of Christ’s suffering and passion.

The little baby reaches out to take the carnation held by his mother from her hand.

I listened to the commentary as I look at the painting: Leonardo gave a mystical dimension to his painting when he added the carnation. Later on, I am told, he refrained from such symbolism. As he mastered his art, he wanted to paint what he saw, what he experienced, what can be checked and counter-checked.

How sad. What one sees in Christ is not always what you get. Many may see, as I did, only the little fat baby who is cuddled by a loving mother. One could be impressed by it, even be fascinated by it.

But when you look closer, more intently, you discover the carnation, the passion.

One has to know the deeper dimension, the hidden matters. It changes you and transforms your life.

As one reflects on Christ as the baby, one sees the shadow of the cross falling over his innocent childhood. His incarnation indeed means to be born in suffering – the eternal God presented in the body of humanity. The divine self-sacrifice, the giving up of the heavenly glory, the sharing, the taking on of suffering. And then, still a small baby, reaching out, willingly, with a frail little baby hand, to take on suffering.

Here one recognises suffering written over the existence of even the most innocent of innocent ones.

No one, not a single human, however small, however frail, however innocent is exempt from suffering.

And yet, on closer reflection, we know how love frames suffering into a beautiful painting.

Love changes everything. Divine love is transformative love, love that wants to heal and integrate.

We cope with suffering because we love. We can even embrace suffering out of love. This is the deeper message: everything we do, however extreme, has meaning if it is done in love.

I look at the painting more carefully. The light which illuminates the baby is stronger, brighter. He stands out in his love.

It fascinates me, but I realize it also brings me to stand in awe.