The Angelus

The Angelus, Jean-Francois Millet, 1857-1859. Musée d'Orsay, Paris, France.

Questions

-What do you see in this painting?

-Do you know the Angelus? Why do you think it was important for farming families and why do you think it is important now?

-Do you take time during your day to stop and pray to the Lord?

Reflection

As I gaze at this painting, I have a great deal of nostalgia. I grew up in rural Minnesota, where the farm land was bountiful and it is so flat you can see for miles. The feel of the land, the talk of farmers and the dust of planting and harvest is a deep memory in my mind so much that I can put myself there whenever I close my eyes. In the moment I was not appreciative of it or really aware of its importance. I took it all for granted, believing that this was just the way things were. As I grew older there became a growing awareness of the foreignness of my upbringing to so many especially in this day and age. Leaving my small town for the large city for college cemented this awareness and the stark contrast of basic beliefs was shocking. It became more obvious to me as I became Catholic and dove deeper into the Scriptures with other converts and even my new Catholic friends. The numerous parables that tied in to the land, caring for animals, and planting were somewhat foreign to those who grew up in the city. But I, having grown up outside, always barefoot and dirty, watching the lived faith of farmers working in and with creation, had a privileged understanding of what the Lord was saying. Looking at this painting, there is nostalgia for a time lost where many will never grow anything by their own hand or be in a place that is truly quiet with no noise pollution. It makes me return to that simplicity of growing up, not knowing how good I had it, no matter how hard it was at times.

The Angelus is a prayer rich in doctrine and devotion. It commemorates the mystery of the Incarnation by reciting versicles and responses with three Hail Marys before concluding the prayer. It is usually recited at or near 6 a.m., noon, and 6 p.m. Catholic churches would and sometimes still do ring three tolls at these times for each of the verse/responses and nine for the concluding prayer. This practice began as early as the thirteenth century, but the custom was not unified and promoted until the sixteenth century. The morning recitation would be to commemorate Christ's resurrection, at noon, Christ's passion and in the evening to recall the Incarnation. Here is the prayer:

The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary: And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

Hail Mary, full of grace...

Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to They Word.

Hail Mary, full of grace...

And the Word was made Flesh: And dwelt among us.

Hail Mary, full of grace...

Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God: That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray,

Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord.

Amen.

Growing up in a small town, there was always a siren at 6 p.m. To most this meant that it was time to go inside and eat dinner. As a high schooler, this meant that my sports practice was always done. But what I did not know is that this was the signal for Catholics to pray the Angelus. Reflecting on this now, it is a beautiful remnant of a practice that has disappeared from popular devotion. It is proof that faithful Catholics still exist and that the farming communities who were called to take a momentary break to praise the Lord still exists. Farmers work long hours and often had to be reminded to stop and leave their work for food, community, and prayer. Their dedication to the work at hand is endless until they have completed their duties.

This dedication can be seen in this painting by Jean-Francois Millet which by now you might have guessed is entitled The Angelus. Two peasants are bowing in a field, taking a break from their work to say the Angelus. The church which must be ringing its bells can be seen on the horizon, marking this time of prayer and the end of the work day. This was during potato harvest in Barbizon, a small town in northern France. The man shows his devotion to this prayer, the Blessed Virgin, and Christ by taking his hat off, holding it to his chest. The woman clasps her hands together, trusting in the words in which she recites. These peasants could be merely colleagues, a husband and wife pair, or a farmer and maidservant. I like to think of them as a husband and wife, working manually together and joining together in prayer.

The basket, pitchfork and wheelbarrow are set aside to take up the more important work - prayer. It is such an important aspect of our day as it shows our desire for relationship with God. We do manual labor so that we may care for the creation which God has gifted us. It purifies us, strengthens us, and brings us into harmony with the natural world. It is the respite from this, the rest that we are made for and will partake in our heavenly home. We must be constantly reminded that we are not made for this earth, but made for relationship with God. The faces of the peasants are left in shadow, allowing us to take their place and see ourselves in them. The Lord wants us to take time out of our day and in the middle of our work to commune with Him and enjoin our work to His. The rhythm of life must be guided by prayer and our liturgical life must be the unchangeable parts of our lives, each and every day. This painting shows how meditation can happen wherever and whenever, if only we choose to do so.

Information

"The idea for The Angelus came to me because I remembered that my grandmother, hearing the church bell ringing while we were working in the fields, always made us stop work to say the Angelus prayer for the poor departed."

Jean-Francois Millet

It is a gift that as time goes on, we get to hear more from the artist themselves about their thoughts, inspiration, and multiple layers in an artwork. This quote from Millet is proof of this recognition of importance of the artist's intention behind a piece. Art is more than just what we see, it also is influenced by what the artist desired for it. This can be seen clearly when Catholic artists paint a landscape or something other than a religious scene or saint. Even though it could be seen as just a painting of pretty land or to capture a moment in time, it can also be much more than that. If they intend for it to be a reflection on God's creation or the beauty of the natural world, this brings a new, sacred dimension to it. An artist could also create an artwork that is seemingly sacred but if they created it to use in a anti-religion demonstration and eventually destroy it, this would make it lose its sacredness. Art has meaning and this meaning is shaped in part by the artist's intent. Millet's intent may have been more nostalgic than religiously devoted, but history has made it to be a sacred piece. It was widely reproduced and placed in devout households across France and eventually throughout the world.

Jean-Francois was born in 1814 in rural northwestern France. His father was a talented artist, but had to provide for his family by farming. Although he could not commit to a complete career as an artist, he directed the village choir as well as studying the forms of trees and plants. Jean-Francois learned this love of beauty, art, and the natural world from his father. His parents were pious and devoted Catholics who raised him in a very religious home. As a boy, he traced prints and try freehand draw images from the family Bible. His talent was obvious to his parents as well as the parish priests, who worked to teach him literature, languages, history, and art. He slowly became a man of culture who learned a great deal, but had the heart of a peasant as he still worked in the fields with his family until he was a young man. His father realized his life dream within his son, finally sending Jean-Francois to study art full-time. He studied in Cherbourg and then Paris, but disliking the city he finally returned to the country of Barbizon in his thirties. At this time he had lost much of his faith, but remained dedicated and loving to the simple, peasant life that he grew up with.

Millet, a Frenchman, had originally created this painting for Thomas Gold Appleton, an American. Appleton failed to take possession of the painting after it was completed, so Millet added the church on the horizon and named it The Angelus, after it was originally called Prayer for the Potato Crop. This painting did not gain immediate attention and changed hands multiple times. The Louvre tried to buy it in 1889, sparking an almost immediate recognition of Millet's genius. He had died in 1875 so was not able to experience the spread of his popularity. There was even a bidding war between France and America to buy this piece, sparking national pride and claim over Millet. The popularity of Millet and this piece specifically brought more attention to the Barbizon school which he was a part, driving prices up for other artworks out of this specific school. It became venerated by Salvador Dali around this time, was attacked and lacerated by a man in 1932, and became widely reproduced and well known worldwide in the 20th century. After it was attacked in a private collection, it was moved to its current home in Paris in 1986.

More Questions

-Do you take time out of your work day to say a prayer to the Lord?

-How can you incorporate the Angelus or another short prayer to reorient yourself throughout the day?

-Are you able to partake in simple work outside? Why is this important?

Let us pray -

Lord, thank you for the simplicity of life that you call us to. While we are busy, overwhelmed, and in the midst of work, may we take a step back. May we be aware of your presence and the importance of having you be the center and markers throughout our day. Your gift of creation and our call to care for it is written on our hearts. Help us to find a way to work with our hands and unite ourselves with you in our work. May we be inspired by Saint Isidore, patron of laborers and farmers. Let us be inspired to work hard and work well, desiring to please you by the work of our hands but keeping relationship with you in utter importance. Bless our work and rest, bring us into communion with your work and rest.

St. Isidore, pray for us!

Amen.