But what's it about?

Art, like music and literature, is never about just one thing. Even when the subject matter is clear - a crucifixion, for example - the artist's intention can be subversive or supportive to the theme and that can change everything. Often, although the theme may be clear - depiction of a bible story perhaps - it is impossible to know why the artist chose that particular subject for the work.

So it is with Degas' David and Goliath. The representation of the subject is straighforward and the title clear. But it's impossible to know why the artist chose to begin this work or why he never finished it. Was he simply looking for a good story or was there some deeper religious intent? Degas later went on to specialise in figure painting so was this just an early example of that interest? Are there any theological concerns we can draw out of the work? I haven't resolved this - some connections with French history are possible but so speculative that they seem no more than just grasping at straws.

Holman Hunt's The Shadow of Death presents the opposite problem. There is no shortage of information in multiple books on the Pre-Raphaelites and on Hunt himself. There's even a booklet in the Fitzwilliam library written by the artist at the time of the painting's first showing that explains his purpose. This is a painting with a clear didactic purpose and an underlying ideology that valorises the working man. The symbolism is detailed and was probably well understood by audiences in 1873, maybe even today, but what of it's ongoing message? What is it about in the early twenty-first century rather than in the the late nineteenth century?

Deferring these and other questions while research continues. Talking about the sabbatical project back at the Shared Church yesterday made it all seem a bit less abstract. Catching up with friends in so many places while on Tour this summer has been a real joy. Thanks to all for listening to my ramblings at various points.