Contemplative Vision: A Guide to Christian Art and Prayer

by Juliet Benner

While working as a docent in an art gallery, Juliet Benner began showing people how to meditate on Christian art treasures that are rooted in a passage of Scripture. She taught a way of encountering the Word behind both the words of Scripture and the artist's meditation on Scripture. This became a way of seeing art as an aid to contemplative prayer. This process resulted in her much-beloved "O Taste and See" columns that appeared in the spiritual formation journal Conversations, now expanded into this book. In each chapter you'll encounter a passage of Scripture and a corresponding piece of art. You'll be guided into deeper levels of meaning and reflection through the text and the questions at the end of each chapter. In the process you'll find yourself entering into a new experience of prayer and meditation in God's presence.

Genres: Art, Religion, Spirituality, Prayer, Christian Living, Nonfiction, Devotional

191 pages, Paperback

First published December 21, 2010

Reviews

[Tisha G · Rating 5 out of 5]

The friend who recommended this book to me said it is "as tasty as a box of chocolates." I would elaborate on that description to add, "Neuhaus chocolates from Belgium" -- the kind you want to sit down and really savor because they are so sublimely delicious, the kind you want to buy for all your friends right away so they too can enjoy the experience. This is a wonderful book. Relaxing, challenging, satisfying, informative and spiritually formative.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book was a great lesson in really studying a painting. The author had a purpose for the paintings she studied/contemplated and I read this book because a friend recommended it to me as it was topically and spiritually well suited to the direction I am taking. However, in addition, this author could teach anyone to be more attentive to the works of art; to consider them for their artistic merit, but also for their story, and to consider their context when forming an opinion. On a few occasions I saw other or more physically in a painting, but usually I saw less and learned from her. On all occasions I found her bringing me to a deeper emotional response to the paintings, and a clearer spiritual response.

The book is well written and just plain excellent.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A combination of Visio Divina, and art theory lessons - combining the mind and analysing with the heart and just sitting and seeing and listening. It makes me think of what CS Lewis described as two was of looking at a Bhakti of light coming through the gap on a door - you can stand to the side and look at the light, noticing the particles swirling, and the way it interacts with all around it; and you can stand in the beam of light and look along it, where the light itself illuminates what is outside, and you are enveloped on it. It’s like ‘emic’ and ‘etic’ or quantitative and qualitative research. Have both together in this book is a strength.

[Rob Mac · Rating 4 out of 5]

The guides to the artwork and how they lead us into contemplative prayer are fantastic. 5 star worthy. But the author's selection of all European men (with one exception of an Asian man) is difficult to understand. I have been leading a class on the book and have easily supplemented it with women, African artists, etc. Christian does not equal white European males. Her selection of art is worthy of two stars. She also uses exclusively male language for God, which didn't surprise me, but always disappoints me. Overall I like the book for its spirituality. I can apply the principles to any art.

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

I never finished this book. I bought it for its cover and its promise in helping the reader merge Art History with spiritual eyes. Re-reading parts of it reminds me why this was sadly un-engaging. Markers will be more successful as my subject is not our training to see more effectively, but rather His effectual and creative entrance into the ground of our confusion. This we can see throughout His book.

[Kathleen Zaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a Christian who loves art, this book is for you. The writer takes the reader on a journey through several pieces of sacred art, showing how the beauty of art can help the believer in his/her Christian walk by integrating beauty and profound understanding into his/her experience.

[Chris Halverson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was mainly concerned with interpreting the art, which was worthwhile, especially the final third of the book, but I imagine the contemplative reflections would be edifying too if that was what you were hoping to get out of the book.

[Lori Neff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. The author helped me see so much in the paintings and I have a much greater appreciation of the works. She also thoughtfully journeyed through themes of discipleship.

[Tina Crog · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a really good intro to Visio Divina. I think it would be a good fit for a small group, or perhaps a midweek Bible study in a season like Lent.

[Deirdre Good]

Oh dear! The idea behind this book is sound: use great art of biblical scenes to reflect more deeply on the art and the texts. But the execution leaves something to be desired. Take the example of Christ in the house of Mary and Martha (Luke 10) as shown in the glorious painting of the same name by Vermeer. Now to make this work, the author must know something about art and something about the text. Fortunately, one doesn't even have to be much of an art historian these days because the web has so much excellent information. See: http://www.essentialvermeer.com/catal...
wherein we get 9 hotspots enlarging a section of the painting and commenting on each of the hot spots from the point of view of an art historian. Every one of these points is worth thinking about (the bread, the face of Christ, the face of Martha, the position of all three figures in relation to each other, the far background, the open corridor etc.) and none of them is mentioned in Ms Benner's book. Right there, you know you've got a problem when the web gives more information than the book (for which you have paid). I brought this link into a class on Luke and women and the class uncovered even more information than was available on the web page (and more than the book conveyed). So while I like the idea of the book, I think one would do better with the series Illuminating Luke by Heidi Hornik and Mikeal Parsons (3 vols). Only on Luke's Gospel so far, but their approach is excellent.

[Jan Johnson]

Juliet Benner helps you enter paintings in such a way that you find new insights about God, about yourself and about how you're interacting with the world. She gives historical info about the painter and painting but is also a master at leading you into experiencing the painting. You can read the chapters/experience the paintings over and over.

[Jennifer Rundlett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful guide into seeing the presence of God in your everyday life and a practical approach to using the visual arts for deeper meditation and retreat.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

In following the tradition of my father, Edward, I bought this book for myself last Christmas! I read most of it during the three weeks I spent at Holden Village. This is a book I can't wait to share with friends.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent book full of thought and art and help for me to engage in good ways. I would have liked each picture of the paintings to have a full page, but you can also view them on-line, so that is helpful.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Neat little book. Written devotional style for contemplation of scripture and (mostly) Baroque era art of biblical themes (Poussin, Caravaggio, Rembrandt, etc). Highly impactful and beneficial for contemplative spirituality.

[Andrew Fallows · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book, but it wasn't quite was I was hoping for when I grabbed it. Still worth reading, with some great insights, but the format of tying each chapter to a work of classical art didn't quite land for me. But that critique is entirely personal; I've never connected closely to visual art. If you do, I suspect this book will be great for you!