Paintings

Blessed Carlos Manuel Rodríguez

Posted by Vonn

Blessed Carlos Manuel Rodríguez

Two portraits by A.Vonn Hartung

Blessed Carlos Manuel Rodríguez was beatified thirteen years ago today on April 29, 2001, by His Holiness (now Saint) John Paul II. Furthermore, “he was the first Puerto Rican, the first Caribbean-born layperson and the first layperson in the history of the United States to be beatified.“

At the core of Blessed Carlos Manuel Rodriguez’ spirituality (Pope John Paul II  said) was his faith in the Resurrection. He promoted the Easter Vigil as the defining moment of Christian spiritual life, repeating often, “We live for that night.” (Vivimos para esa Noche)

BlessedCarlosManuel Rodriguez2_vonn hartung
Blessed Carlos Manuel Rodríguez
Oil portrait by A. Vonn Hartung 2001

In 2001 I was deeply honored and humbled to be commissioned by the archbishop of San Juan, Monsignor Roberto González Nieves, to paint the official portrait of Blessed Carlos Manuel Rodríguez. Significantly, it was to be given as a gift from Puerto Rico to the Pontifical North American College in Vatican City. Indeed it is exhibited there in the Hall of Saints.

The Portrait is painted with various symbolic elements. They express a visual prayer that “speaks to the eye”. In other words, what was it that helped bring Blessed Carlos Manuel Rodriguez to such an intimate connectedness to our Lord and Savior? The absolute serenity and joy in Charlie’s look is the faith that we seek. It is the faith that seeks us.

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El Jíbaro Puertorriqueño

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Today is Earth Day. What better moment to pay homage to the noble “El Jíbaro Puertorriqueño”, the Puerto Rican cultural icon!

“El Jíbaro” symbolizes to me the “salt of the Earth”

El Jíbaro Puertorriqueño
“El Jíbaro“
Oil portrait by A.Vonn Hartung

“El Jibaro Puertorriqueño” is a painting inspired by my neighbors who have cultivated the land of their ancestors from the beginning.

Don Pepe represents for me all those who still cultivate the land; living links to our past, sustenance today, and hope for abundance and sustainability in the future.

He represents, on the one hand, the constant battle between the so-called permanence of concrete and asphalt, which is quickly engulfing our fertile land and drying up our lakes and rivers due to urban sprawl and the overwhelming dominance of the automobile as a symbol of impoverished planning.

And on the other hand, the stability and sustainability through cosmic spirituality, which, along with intact families, are our guarantee of a healthy, harmonious continuity, which must offset the suicidal (or more aptly expressed, planeticidal*) race to deplete our natural resources.

*the killing of our own planet

 

This painting was inspired by my neighbor Don Pepe “el Múcaro” (the Owl) O’Neill, whom I am proud to call my friend. May he rest in peace!

(16″x20″ oil portrait, artist’s collection)

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Hoy es “Dia de la Tierra” ¡Que mejor momento para rendir homenaje al noble “El Jíbaro Puertorriqueño“, el icono cultural puertorriqueño!

“El Jíbaro” simboliza para mi la “sal de la tierra”

“El Jíbaro Puertorriqueño” es una obra inspirada por mis vecinos que han cultivado la tierra de sus antepasados desde el principio.

Don Pepe representa para mí todos los que todavía cultivan la tierra; vínculos vivientes con nuestro pasado, sostenimiento hoy y esperanza de abundancia y sostenibilidad para el futuro.

Él representa, por un lado, la batalla constante entre la supuesta permanencia de hormigón y asfalto, que envuelva rápidamente nuestra tierra fértil y seca nuestros lagos y ríos debido a la expansión urbana y el abrumador dominio del automóvil como símbolo de la empobrecida planificación.

Y por otro lado, la estabilidad y sostenibilidad a través de la espiritualidad cósmica que, junto con las familias intactas, son nuestra garantía de una continuidad sana y armoniosa que debe contrarrestar la carrera suicida (o mejor expresada, planetacida*) por agotar nuestros recursos naturales.

*la matanza de nuestro propio planeta

 

Esta pintura está inspirada en mi vecino, Don Pepe “el Múcaro” O’Neill, a quien me enorgullece llamar amigo. ¡Que en paz descanse!

(“El Jíbaro” es un retrato en óleo 16″ x 20″, colección del artista)

 

Stations of the Cross

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THESE STATIONS OF THE CROSS paintings show the process of conversion as Jesus was put to the test and tormented. Indeed, his persecutors came to understand who he was.

(Scroll down for Spanish text)

Accordingly, the stations express a perspective that emphasizes the effect Jesus had on those present during his ordeal of carrying his own cross to his crucifixion on Calvary. Specifically, as the bystanders are pulled into his suffering, we follow by observing closely, the actual Revelatory conversion of the principal Roman soldier.  Moreover, we see how the outpouring of grief and compassion of others around him begins to melt away his own cruelty and indifference.

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Jesus takes up his cross, ViaCrucis station 2 painting by A.Vonn Hartung

See how he marvels at the deep and complete faith of Veronica as she wipes the face of our Lord. Furthermore, others are also going through the steps of conversion from confusion and despair to an awakening clarity. Significantly, we see this most clearly in the others behind Veronica.

Veronica wipes the face of Jesus.ViaCrucis station 6 painting by A.VonnHartung

Thus we understand how the soldier at the foot of the cross could finally come to the realization that they had indeed crucified “The Son of God”.  (Mk 15:39)

 

 About the paintings

The artist painted these Stations of the Cross for Santa Rosa de Lima Church in Guaynabo (Barrio Amelia), Puerto Rico.  In fact, he conceived them with the community in mind. Moreover they include much of the spiritual and cultural qualities of Puerto Rico. Each Station measures 4-ft by 8-ft, painted in acrylic and gilded in copper and gold. They surround and crown the nave of the church.

Read More about these paintings.

View a contemplative video of these Stations of the Cross.

See video The Passion of our Lord

Ver video La Pasión de nuestro Señor

 

Commissioned by Padre Antonio “Tito” José Vázquez

Photos by Greger Norrevik

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Las pinturas de estas ESTACIONES DE LA CRUZ muestran el proceso de conversión cuando Jesús fue puesto a prueba y atormentado. Sus perseguidores llegaron a comprender quién era.

De hecho, las estaciones expresan una perspectiva que hace hincapié en el efecto que Jesús tuvo en los presentes durante su terrible experiencia de llevar su propia cruz a su crucifixión en el Calvario. A medida que los transeúntes son arrastrados a su sufrimiento, seguimos observando de cerca la conversión Revelatoria real del principal soldado romano. Vemos cómo el torrente de dolor y compasión de los que le rodean comienzan a disipar su propia crueldad e indiferencia.

Jesus takes up his cross, ViaCrucis station 2 painting by A.Vonn Hartung

Vea cómo se maravilla de la fe profunda y completa de Verónica mientras limpia el rostro de nuestro Señor. Otros también están pasando por los pasos de conversión de la confusión y la desesperación a una claridad que despierta, como se ve más visiblemente en los otros detrás de Verónica.

Veronica wipes the face of Jesus.ViaCrucis station 6 painting by A.VonnHartung

Así entendemos cómo el soldado al pie de la cruz pudo finalmente darse cuenta de que habían crucificado al “Hijo de Dios”. (Marcos 15:39)

 

Acerca de las pinturas

Estas Estaciones de la Cruz fueron pintadas para la Iglesia Santa Rosa de Lima en Guaynabo (Barrio Amelia), Puerto Rico. El artista los concibió con la comunidad en mente e incluyen gran parte de las cualidades espirituales y culturales de Puerto Rico. Cada estación mide 4 pies por 8 pies, pintada en acrílico y dorada en cobre y oro. Se rodean y coronan la nave de la iglesia.

Leer más acerca de estas pinturas

Ver videos contemplativos—

Stations of the Cross

 The Passion of our Lord

 La Pasión de nuestro Señor

Compre impresiones giclée de estas estaciones

 

Encargo del Padre Antonio “Tito” José Vázquez

Fotos por Greger Norrevik