Only last week, Gordon - the great and caring Gramps that he is - positioned himself on a provided chair in the London Science Museum's basement. Instead of gazing at some of the Wrights' first-flight wings or the Apollo that circled (circled?) the moon, he had his warm grandfather-eyes on our grandsons, Joshua and Jesse, in the basement. There you can find "The Garden" which is a child's paradise of water and activities that keep them engaged for literally hours.
Liesl (our younger daughter) and I walked through this kindly provided open door of being by ourselves as adults, and hopped onto the nearest Tube to explore the National Gallery at Trafalgar Square. Liesl is far, far more knowledgeable about art than I am - so I happily followed in my daughter's slip-stream. We marvelled in front of so many masterpieces that I am compelled to return to one of daughter/mom-times together via this blog. We lapped up world-class painting talent enhanced by our togetherness and conversations.
Today I am focusing in on two of Rembrandt's self-portraits in the National Art Gallery ( many others are distributed in other parts of the world). And, then, focus even closer in on the concept of how we present ourselves. Much can be said - your comments are welcomed! I gave it some thought in the midst of the ordinary things of life and restrict my few thoughts to one question, one conclusion, and one stunning mega, comfort.
Just in case you do not have time to read right to the end of this post, I would like to mention the three thoughts now:
- How do we present ourselves to God in heaven, to our ourselves and to others?
- Christians, saved by Jesus and grace, are to present themselves in humility.
- From the Bible, Jude verse 24, 25 - a stunning promise for all those who have passed from death to life in Jesus:
To him who is able to keep you from fallingand to present you before his glorious presence
without fault and with great joy—
to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority,
through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.Amen!!
So then, how do you and I present ourselves to others?
Well, here are, first, a few portraits of self-presentation - courtesy Rembrandt and Dürer. Stand with Liesl and I in front of two of Rembrandt's masterpieces in the National Portrait Gallery, London - also have a squiz at the third and see what thoughts theirs invoke in you!
This portrait shows Rembrandt at the height of his career, presenting himself in a self-assured pose wearing an elaborate costume in the fashion of the 16th century. It seems as if Rembrandt refers deliberately to his famous predecessors in this portrait, and thus places himself in the tradition of great 'Old Masters'.
This work was painted in the final year of Rembrandt's life and is one of his last pictures. He died on 4 October 1669 and was buried in the Westerkerk in Amsterdam.
Rembrandt painted more self portraits than any other artist of the 17th century. The National Gallery has two of them, separated by nearly thirty years. In this late picture, the artist wears a deep red coat and a beret, his hands clasped before him. The viewer is confronted by his steady gaze. Rembrandt painted and etched self portraits throughout his life, but those executed in his final years, in which he presents himself in a reflective mood, are among the most poignant and challenging.
The Germans still tended to consider the artist as a craftsman, as had been the conventional view during the Middle Ages. This was bitterly unacceptable to Dürer, whose second Self-Portrait (out of three) shows him as slender and aristocratic, a haughty and foppish youth, ringletted and impassive. His stylish and expensive costume indicates, like the dramatic mountain view through the window (implying wider horizons), that he considers himself no mere limited provincial. What Dürer insists on above all else is his dignity, and this was a quality that he allowed to others too.
Last night I finished reading the small book on "Humility - true greatness" by C.J. Mahaney. My Lord and my God by His Spirit, my Counselor, guided me once again into humility, while also wondering about the Master Artists' portrayal of themselves.
How do we present ourselves in humility:
We keep in mind
God's active opposition to pride.
Pride's potency to destroy
God's merciful warnings
A definition of humility: Serving others for the glory of God.
What is greatness? Mark 10:45: For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
How do I cultivate humility?
- Reflect on the wonder of the Cross
- Acknowledge your need for God
- Be full of gratitude
- Cast your cares upon Jesus.
- Study the attributes of God
- Study the doctrines of Grace
- Study the doctrine of sin
- Laugh at yourself
- Identify evidences of grace in others, appreciate them and encourage others
- Invite and pursue godly correction.
- Respond humbly to trials.
- as God's beloved child
- as a marriage partner
- as a parent
- as an employer/employee
- as a friend
- as a family member in God's church
- as an opposed person
- in every role!
