“Le Festen de Dieux” by Jan van Bijlert.
Jan van Bijlert was a Dutch painter who was born in 1597 or 1598 in Utrecht. His style was influenced by the Renaissance Master Caravaggio. He developed a classical style of painting and painted many religious works as well as illustrations of mythology.
Today Bijlert’s painting hangs in the Magnin Museum in Dijon, France. The institution recently posted on “formerly known as twitter:” “Does this painting remind you of something?”
Thomas Jolly, the creative director of the Olympics opening ceremony, said that the “tableau vivant” he presented was indeed based on Bijlert’s Feast of the Gods. It was meant to represent the coming of Dionysus, the god of wine, to a “grand pagan celebration.”
But, let me ask you, “how many of you were familiar with Bijlert’s painting before now? How many of you saw ‘Feast of the Gods’ hanging in grandma’s kitchen?
Does this Painting Remind You of Something?
Surely Jolly, obviously versed in art history, saw the similarity to another painting commisioned by Ludovicio Sforza, the Duke of Milan, in 1495. That painting, in the refectory of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, might just be seen replicated in grandma’s kitchen.
The Last Supper by Leonardo and his pupils. — Tongerlo Version
So, Thomas Jolly, versed in art history, had to know that most viewers of his living painting were not going to say to themselves “oh wow!, that’s van Bijlert’s ‘Feast of the Gods!”
When Papa Smurf appeared in a dish of food in front of the scene, how many people said to themselves “oh wow, Dionysus!”
Art historian Walther Scoonenberg writes: “Van Bijlert’s The Feast of the Gods captures a large group of dieties gathered around a table, including a central figure reminiscent of an angel with a halo, creating a visual parallel to ‘The Last Supper.’ While the Last Supper Focuses on a Biblical narrative, created as part of a renovation project for Milan’s Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, The Feast of the Gods depicts Greek Gods in a moment of revelry.”
The Apology.
Devotees of Peter Falk’s detective character will recognize that scruffy Columbo is actually a bit of a connoisseur. He likes classical music [1.] and fine art, [2.] often solving cases through his knowledge and curiosity about both. Thus he gets the final word. — Hat tip to D. Achten for this meme!
“Why Beauty Matters”
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Bishop Robert Barron “VIA PULCHRITUDINIS”
[click to view]