We visited the Alte Pinakothek in Munich for the first time after four years. This time I am struck by the famous painting of the four apostles by Dürer which he painted in 1526 when he was 55 years old. His mastery is evident. It is probably one of his best paintings. It was probably also one of his last paintings.
Dürer, at that stage already famous, writes humbly in an accompanying letter to the council of Nürenberg to whom he wanted to donate the painting, that he was not always so happy with his paintings - they were insignificant and not so special. He has, however, he adds, not spent so much time and trouble to another of his paintings as on this one.
He evidently felt good about it.
There are several verses from the Bible in this painting. Prominent is the quotation from Revelation 22:18. No one should add anything to the Word - and then understood as the Word of God.
With this painting Dürer wanted to warn against false prophecy, as many commentators say, but especially against authorities who exalt themselves above God's word. Obedience to the word of God is more important than obedience to any authority.
The painting promoted the reformation of Maarten Luther. The quotations in the painting are therefore also from Luther's translation of the Bible.
To support the reformation was a risk. But Dürer admired Luther. He writes that Luther helped to liberate him from many great anxieties. He found peace through the Reformation.
It is, therefore, not without reason that Peter is painted in the background. In front of the left panel, is John the Evangelist. He and Peter are both reading from Scripture! And, to crown all, they are reading John's own Gospel 1:1: "In the beginning was the Word"... No papal authority for Peter here in this painting.
The message was so clear that later, when Maximillian, Bavarian ruler and admirer of Dürer acquired the paintings, he promptly had the verses at the bottom cut off. The message they conveyed was insulting to him as catholic ruler, he claimed. So (fortunately) he sent them back to the council of Nurnberg.
On the right panel stands Paul, also with a Bible and leaning on his sword (a reference to his death) and Mark at the back. They stare in front of them.
It is the position of John and Peter that struck me today in the Alte Pinakothek in Munich when I saw the painting for the third time. They are both deeply immersed in the text, which they are reading. They are lost in the text, oblivious of their surroundings.
Our guide tells us: this is meditation. This is immersion in the Bible. Dürer, the great and famous artist of the Reformation knew well that the Bible was not merely an intellectual book with historical and theological information, telling us what to believe about God. The Bible becomes the living Word of God, claiming us so completely that we forget about everything (ec - stacy). It is the source of life which fascinates us, renews us and mediates the presence of God in our lives. It binds us with Christ, the One who reflects the divine presence. In this Dürer was strongly influenced by Luther, who had a special appreciation for the Gospel of John since it focusses so strongly on Christ.
I see this meditative posture for the first time in this painting.
The thoughts remain with me as I wander through the Alte Pinakothek. And my fascination is increased by the self-portrait of Dürer in the same hall. It is an impressive painting, but here too, the religious message is hard to overlook. There is a strong theory that Dürer wanted to depict a Christ-like figure here. It is painting which reflects deep maturity. Dürer, the master, reflecting on his own image, somehow discovers the presence of Christ in his life, in his looks, in his person.
I am overwhelmed by the light in the painting - by the light on the hands and the face, the head as understanding, the hands as praxis, as creating, as symbolising artistry, esthetics, doing, involvement, transformation. It reflects integration. Spirituality as a complete, comprehensive experience of the divine in one's life. Union with God. Mysticsim.
I wander through the museum. Only to return again to these paintings. To have a last look. To enjoy. And to feel the mystical experience they convey as paintings. It is fascinating to see how a great religous renewal in the church inspired the best of our artists in the history of humanity. How they became personally involved. The faith of the reformation became Dürer's faith, his mystical experience of God's renewing work.
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