Sister Wendy on the Art of Saints

by Wendy Beckett

Imagine going on a tour of a world-class art museum with a talented and insightful curator. But instead of just focusing on the history, technique, and cultural significance of each piece, you have the opportunity to reflect on the spiritual aspects of the works, examining their religious significance and concentrating on the transcendental meaning conveyed by the artist. This is what you’ll find in this exquisitely produced book.

Each one features fifteen pieces of art relating to the topic of the saints, with an extended reflection on each piece. The commentary is meditative, more reflection on the spiritual nature of the paintings’ subject than art critique. Sister Wendy writes with the deft hand of one who is formed in spirituality, art, and critical thinking. Her imagery is lush, creating a landscape where the sacred and profane live in comfortable coexistence through the medium of painting. For spiritual seekers and lovers of art, this book will offer a unique journey into the experiential nature of a well-rounded faith.

Genres: Art

64 pages, Paperback

First published September 3, 2013

About the author

Sister Wendy Beckett was a South African-born British art expert, Roman Catholic nun, and contemplative hermit who became an unlikely celebrity during the 1990s, presenting a series of acclaimed art history documentaries for the BBC.

Reviews

[7jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the three books with similar design (and same introduction, so you only need to read it once if one read all three). Each is a group of 14-15 works of art, with comments and things to ponder from the author. All have Western/Orthodox art (except the one on Saints). They make a quick read, though one might stay pondering on each piece of art, if one wants.

My favorite on this one is: St. John The Baptist Retiring To The Desert (Di Paolo) / The Martyrdom Of St. Agatha (Tiepolo).

Some of the saints presented here are quite popular, some are less known. I like how Beckett puts her experience on certain saints into the comments. Each saint is also given their life-dates.

[Mary Louise Sanchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sister Wendy is our personal art and spiritual guide teaching us about fourteen saints, through their stories and through artistic paintings of them.

Most of these paintings are found in the National Gallery in London, but we do get a good representation of art through various time periods and the artist is noted.