Reflections| Dali and St. John of the Cross

Christ of St. John of the Cross

Reflections on St. John of the Cross and the work of Salvatore Dali

by  Zachary S. Robinson

Drawing of crucifixion- St. John of the Cross

The Catholic Church has historically been an important patron of the arts and throughout its history has been at the genesis of many great works. This important place of art in relation to faith comes from the universal human desire to seek out truth and beauty.  God is at the center of our  desire to seek out truth and beauty and through His grace humanity has been given the ability to articulate this longing into various forms of art, poetry,  music and prayer.

Christ of St. John of the Christ- Dali

While I was researching some background on St. John of the Cross I happened to discover yet another  interesting example how the Catholic faith has influenced art. 

During his time at a  Carmelite monastery in  Avila, St. John of the Cross,  would receive a vision of Christ and later  produce a small drawing based on his  recollection of this vision. This drawing would then be given to one of the nuns of the convent at the monastery were it would remain.

The drawing produced by St. John of the Cross portrays Christ hanging from the cross as He embraces the fullness of His destiny.  This provides a remarkable insight into the grace God imparted to St. John of the Cross and reflects the beauty and Redemption found in Christ juxtaposed against His suffering during the Crucifixion.  

The drawing of the crucifixion by St. John of the Cross would not only impress the nuns of Avila but would inspire the well-know Spanish artist Salvatore Dali. Dali would go on to produce his painting, Christ of St. John of the Cross,  in 1951 providing  his surrealist inflection to the crucifixion of Christ. Christ of St. John of the Cross by Dali utilizes a similar perspective as St. John of the Cross's drawing and makes for a moving depiction of Christ. Dali would  assert that  his painting manifested after his own divine vision but no question remains that the drawing by St.John of the Cross provided a clear inspiration. 

I found this connection fascinating as it reflects the transcendent nature of grace moving throughout history influencing and connecting humanity.  The natural human desire to understand the unknown draws directly from our desire to know God. Certainly we may never truly understand the nature of God, however, His grace is present across all humanity and is  experienced  in many forms. God has imparted to us the ability to discern our longing to know Him and through our desire for truth and beauty His grace provides the opportunity for us to contribute to the beauty of His creation. 

Reference

Christ of Saint John of the Cross, Salvador Dalí, 1951, oil on canvas, www.dali-gallery.com

Colina, J. Sep 22, 2017. "Discover the crucifix drawn by St. John of the Cross after a mystical vision". https://aleteia.org/2017/09/22/discover-the-crucifix-drawn-by-saint-john-of-the-cross-after-a-mystical-vision/

Kavanuagh, K. "John of the Cross, St." New Catholic Encyclopedia, 2nd ed., vol. 7, Gale, 2003, pp. 986-989. Gale Virtual Reference Library, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/CX3407706034/GVRL?u=23009&sid=GVRL&xid=7d49c158.