The Visitation

The Visitation, Pontormo, 1528-1530. Propositura dei Santi Michele e Francesco, Carmignano, Italy.

Questions

-What stands out to you in this painting?

-If Mary and Elizabeth are the two women in the front, who are the two women that stand behind them?

-What would you guess is each women's emotions? How do you feel looking at it?

Reflection

Whenever I pray the rosary, I choose a different intention for each mystery. When I come to the second joyful mystery, which is the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to her cousin Elizabeth, my mind always goes to my closest friends. I am incredibly blessed to have so many holy and wonderful women in my life who I know I can run to with any need. I can run to them in joy or sorrow, knowing that they will receive me with open arms. The visitation is a wonderful example of friendship, especially the friendship between two women. Friendships bring about the Lord in a very special way as they have the opportunity to bring out something knew within you. There are some friends where my goofy side comes out in multitudes. With others my reflective nature seems to make its appearance quickly. Good friendships allow you to be yourself and deepen these aspects of yourself. Jesus himself had several friendships, all of them slightly different because it is the connection of two souls together in phileo love, otherwise known as the love between brothers or friends.

"And behold, your kinswoman Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. - Luke 1:36-40

What stands out to me about Mary is that she just learned that she was pregnant with Jesus when she went to Elizabeth. It was the angel who told her that Elizabeth was pregnant already six months. It is a very real possibility that Mary had no idea that Elizabeth was expecting, but as soon as she heard, she went to go to her cousin. Mary did not go out of her own self interest or desire to share the news that the angel brought to her, but to meet Elizabeth's need. The latter stage of pregnancy can be increasingly difficult with moving and getting everyday household chores done. For Elizabeth, her old age would have only amplified those difficulties and probably was making life very hard. Mary went to Elizabeth to aid her in full haste, to make sure that she had help in the final stages of pregnancy. And what a wonderful thing it is, to have a friend who will stay through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum periods to make sure you are taken care of, not just the baby.

"And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” - Luke 1:41-45

Elizabeth's husband, Zechariah, was also mute at this time due to his unsureness in the Lord's ability and plan to give them a child. Elizabeth was in a sense quite alone and could not share with others the miracle that was happening within her in the same way. Great friends, especially holy friends, have a way of solidifying experiences for each other that make the grace and awareness of the Lord plentiful and even more powerful. Holiness grows upon itself and friends have the capability of making the experience, connection, and relationship with the Lord more real. It is living out a bit of heaven in real life, where we can share how we experience our relationship with the Lord is impacting us and we receive even more from hearing from others.

How powerful would it have been to feel your child leap in your womb? And then know that it was your child recognizing the power that was being formed and grown in the womb of a close friend and relative? We do not know whether or not Mary told Elizabeth of her pregnancy. I like to think that Mary did not share, but that it was the Holy Spirit who gave Elizabeth the knowledge of the Christ Child. God could not keep secret the good news that the Savior is a part of this world as a tiny child, a little boy who will turn into a man who will save us all. It was due to the Holy Spirit that Elizabeth exclaimed the words that so many of us say numerous times each day as part of the "Hail Mary" in the rosary. Her words proclaim truth, but also reflect the reverence that we are to have to Our Holy Mother. Our proclamations of the goodness of God can be a prayer in itself, as Elizabeth has done here. When we proclaim the goodness and truth of what the Lord has done in our lives and in others lives, it is worshipping God. Sharing in friendship with one another and simply talking about where we have seen the Lord work is bringing about the Lord's presence in the world. Our Lord is working everyday in so many moments, just waiting for us to identify it. In friendships, we have the privilege of helping others notice where the Lord is working or what He might be doing. It is not always as obvious as in Mary and Elizabeth's situation, but it is still as powerful and glorious to call out and celebrate.

"And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden. For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is on those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm, he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts, he has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted those of low degree; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent empty away. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his posterity for ever.” - Luke 1:46-55

I love that the Visitation is where we get Mary's beautiful hymn of praise. I am terrible at memorizing, but this is a section that I am working hard to be able to recite. It is poetry, it is praise, it is a prayer to the Lord. Mary is able to articulate what the Lord has done, who He is, and her role in His plan. She is not scared to be bold about saying that she will be called blessed because she knows it is because the Lord desires it. Mary is the Lord's handmaiden and will serve Him with her life. I think that we can grow in boldness when saying the amazing things that the Lord has done for us. It is bringing praise to God when we recognize our gifts as from Him and use them for the ways that He desires. And Elizabeth receives it beautifully. She allows Mary the space to be bold and give praise to God. Friendships are a soft landing ground for where the other is at. It provides the space and opportunity to be fully oneself and not be scared of how we will be received. We can trust that our friends will receive us as we are in all our imperfection, goodness, and boldness.

Information

This work is an oil painting on a panel made between 1528 and 1530. It was commissioned by the Pinadori family for the chapel that it still resides in today. This is very special as wonderful works of art have a tendency to be moved around and not be where it was intended. Florentine Mannerism is a movement that came after the classicism of the Renaissance, wanting to attempt something new and experiment. This style of painting was known for strong colors, elongated forms, twisted poses, elegance, and deep intellectualism and symbolism. The psychological intensity can be felt between all four of the women, as well as the large range of colors and details make it a prime example of early Florentine Mannerism.

The composition of how the women are laid out are in a rhombus or diamond shape. It is often thought that a 1497 painting by Durer called "The Four Witches" was influential in the shape and layout of the women in this painting. This makes this painting feel and look automatically more German rather than Italian, like Pontormo was. He wanted to capture the mystery and psychological aspects of the visitation meeting, which Germans were usually quite good at. There is a simplicity of the composition and background that draws our eyes constantly back to the women. The background is a bit disproportionate compared to the figures, which also places it further from the proportionate and lifelike tradition of the Renaissance.

Pontormo concentrated on the intimate encounter between Mary and Elizabeth, highlighted the sense of mystery and awe that surrounds the two women as well as the atmosphere of anticipation for both of the world-changing births that will occur. They are embracing one another with delicacy but exchange looks of intensity, knowing on a spiritual level what the other is going through. Their age difference easily shows that the one on the right is Elizabeth while the one on the left is Mary. Elizabeth's belly is already robust and fills the space between her and Mary, a reminder of the movement of John already towards Jesus, preparing the way for Christ in the world. The billowing fabric of their clothes shows the movement towards one another, not hesitating but going with haste towards one another in experience and need. Their halos are faint but can be seen, the holiness of both women already apparent. Holy mothers preparing for their holy births, sharing in the experience that only they can understanding in such a peculiar and specific way.

The two women behind the main figures have always been a questioning aspect of this piece. Are they random bystanders? Servants of Elizabeth or Mary? Friends that came along to help? Or are they younger versions of Mary and Elizabeth, before their life was changed by God? I like to think that is the last choice, younger versions of Mary and Elizabeth with their eyes fixed in a sort of immobile or petrified state. Their expressions are rather melancholic, a reminder of the suffering that will come to both mothers in the future as their sons change the entire world. We do not know what the future of our lives will hold, and there is always a bit of awe and wonder thinking what our younger selves would have thought. They could also be looking at us, inviting us into the moment with themselves. To reflect on the growth of ourselves through our life is an important thing to do, understanding our immaturity and how the Lord has brought us to the present day. Young Mary does not yet have on the royal blue that she has when she is pregnant with Jesus. Her time had not yet come to become the Mother of God, but yet she was in relationship with God and in preparation. There is no time wasted in the Lord's plan and will.

More Questions

-What friend(s) of yours make you holier? Who can you share with the glory of God?

-Do you like this style of art? Why or why not?

-What gifts have you received from the Lord? How can you use them for the Church and Heavenly Kingdom?

Let us pray -

Lord, thank you for letting us know the wonderful and powerful meeting between your mother and Elizabeth. You have an eternal plan that is beyond my wildest imagination. Allow me to reflect on how you have guided my life since before I recognized you as my Savior. I am sorry for the times that I have not been aware of your presence and ever guiding hand, keeping me safe and awaiting for me to come back to you. Please bring me to the boldness of praise that the Blessed Virgin and Elizabeth gives to you. Bless my friendships that make me holier and bring me closer to your Most Sacred Heart.

Blessed Virgin Mary, pray for us! Saint Elizabeth, pray for us!

Amen.