In the second edition of the project “Let’s paint catholicism again”, Political Theology, the Saint Nicholas Foundation and the St. John Paul II Institute of Culture from the Angelicum in Rome invited a group of painters, theologians, biblical scholars, art historians and philosophers to work on a painting representation of the Annunciation. The aim of the project is to try to revive contemporary sacred art, rebuild the mechanisms of church patronage and to stimulate discussion on Christian art.
From December 2 to 4, 2022, seminars and lectures were held at the Benedictine monastery in Tyniec to prepare for painting images of the Annunciation. The second edition of the project is attended by, among others: Ignacy Czwartos, Jacek Dłużewski, Wojciech Głogowski, Jacek Hajnos, Krzysztof Klimek, Jarosław Modzelewski, Bogna Podbielska, Beata Stankiewicz, Grzegorz Wnęk, Michał Żądło.
Dariusz Karłowicz, the initiator of the project, said: “Over the next year, together with artists, theologians, biblical scholars, art historians and philosophers, we would like to meditate on the first joyful mystery: the Annunciation. In order not to lose sight of what is most important, we started from the very center – with God’s mercy. We will continue on the path of the mysteries of the Rosary. There is a lot to think about, something to admire and something to be thankful for. I know that it is a huge challenge spiritually, intellectually, and, of course, paintingly. Of course, it’s beyond us, but it doesn’t exempt us from anything.”
The three-day intensive workshop began at the Princes Czartoryski Museum with a lecture by the curator, Dr. Adam Spodarek, on the “Annunciation” of Master Jerzy, founded in 1517 by a canon of St. Michael’s Collegiate Church at Wawel Castle.
Subsequent lectures (already in Tyniec) were given by: Dr. Marek Bielat OP (History of the Rosary), Rev. Prof. Marek Starowieyski (Annunciation in the Light of the Old Testament Tradition), Fr. Paweł Trzopek OP (Annunciation in the Gospel of St. Luke), Fr. Prof. Jarosław Kupczak OP (The Perspective of Systematic Theology), Anna Kilian (Annunciation in European Art), Bishop Prof. Jacek Grzybowski (On Philosophical Concepts of Angels).
The workshop ended with a lecture by Brother Jacek Hajnos, OP, on the theology of creative vocation (based on the figure of Bezalel from Exodus 25-40). The lectures were accompanied by heated discussions.
During the workshops, the details of this year’s order were discussed. It was agreed that this time, in addition to a large painting for places of worship, the artists would also prepare a painting for the needs of home worship.
We invite you to visit the project website:
www.LetsPaintCatholicismAgain.com and on www.teologiapolityczna.pl
The St. John Paul II Institute of Culture is an interdisciplinary research and teaching institution established at the Faculty of Philosophy of the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) in Rome on the centenary of the birth of John Paul II. The mission of the Institute is to reflect on the most important problems of the contemporary Church and the world, inspired by the life and thought of St. John Paul II. The aim of the Institute of the Centre is not only to study the achievements of the Great Pope, but also thinking with him about the most important issues of spiritual culture, so, for example, solidarity, mercy, Christian art, the place of the Church in the contemporary world or the spiritual crisis of Europe.
The Institute is co-run by the Saint Nicholas Foundation (publisher of Political Theology) and fully financed by private donors from Polish. We cordially invite you to join them!
