Stations of the Cross

Some major works by Catholic artist A.Vonn Hartung

Some major works by Catholic artist A.Vonn Hartung

 

Acrylic painting on canvas, Let it be Done, portrays the Annunciation event.
Let it be Done

  Painting (acrylic) on canvas, 60 x 36-inches. The Angel Gabriel descends in divine glory and declares the message from God the Father. After pondering deep in her heart, the words and their meaning, Mary gives her consent. At that very moment she is filled with the luminous light of grace as she vows to fulfill the will of the Father and to deliver His only Son incarnate as Jesus Christ into the world according to His divine plan for our salvation. The painting is an interpretation of the visions received by Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich (Augustinian Nun) in 1821, with some added symbolism by the Artist to enhance and clarify the spiritual and prophetic consequences of the Annunciation Event. READ MORE.

 

Second Station of the Cross painting by A.Vonn Hartung—Jesus takes up his cross
Jesus takes up his cross

Painting (acrylic) on wood panel, 48 x 96-inches. THESE STATIONS OF THE CROSS paintings show the process of conversion as Jesus was put to the test and tormented. They 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. As the bystanders are pulled into his suffering, we follow by observing closely, the actual Revelatory conversion of the principal Roman soldier; we see how the outpouring of grief and compassion of others around him begin to melt away his own cruelty and indifference. READ MORE.

 

Agony of Crucifixion wood sculpture by A.Vonn Hartung for St. John's Catholic Church (Montville, Connecticut)
The Agony of Crucifixion

                                                                                                                                     

Wood Sculpture, life-size (120 x 50-inches), Linden Wood with Mahogany cross.

From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land.

About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?”

(“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”) Mt 27. 

I carved this crucified Christ after an in-depth study of the book,  A Doctor at Calvary by Pierre Barbet M.D.,

a forensic pathologist’s analysis of the Holy Shroud of Turin.

It reveals a graphic account of Jesus’s suffering at the hands of the Romans. READ MORE.

 

"Forgive them Father" closeup detail of high relief wood sculpture by AVonnHartung
Forgive them Father, Wood Sculpture, 70 x 48-inches, Linden Wood

                                                                                                                          

 

                               La Madre Dolorosa

High Relief Wood Sculpture, 33 x 27-inches, Pau Lope wood

Expresses the agony of Jesus through His mother Mary; the betrayal by Judas, the arrest, torturous scourging, trial, carrying of the cross, and finally the agonizing crucifixion and death at Golgotha.

The Sorrowful Mother contemplates the seven sorrows of her life, represented by the seven swords piercing her heart. READ MORE.

 

St. Luke high relief wood sculpture by AVonnHartung for St. Paul's Catholic Church (Pensacola, Florida)
St. Luke the Evangelist

High relief wood sculpture (33 x 12 x 3-inches), one of the six saints carved by A.Vonn Hartung for the Ambo of St. Paul’s Church in Pensacola, Florida. Artistically I have placed St. Luke the Evangelist in the center of his mission; I have conveyed, a feeling of the harmony brought to him through the gift of the Holy Spirit.  READ MORE

 

St.Benedict of Nursia ceramic sculpture High relief by AVonnHartung for private collection (Puerto Rico)
               St. Benedict of Nursia

High Relief Ceramic Sculpture (32 x 11 x 3-inches)

Ora et labora (Pray and work)—refers to the Catholic monastic practice of working and praying. St. Benedict viewed prayer and work as partners and believed in combining contemplation with action. St. Benedict is shown here writing; this is significant for two major reasons. READ MORE

 

                   El Beato
          

Oil portrait on canvas (34 x 26-inches). Blessed Carlos Manuel Rodríguez was beatified on April 29, 2001, by His Holiness (now Saint) John Paul II. 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). This portrait hangs in the Hall of Saints at the Pontifical North American College, Vatican, commissioned by Monseñor Roberto González Nieves, Archbishop of Puerto Rico. READ MORE.

 

St. Dymphna, Wood Sculpture, life-size statue, Spanish Cedar

 Saint Dymphna, patron saint of mental illness, was martyred in the 7th century for her faith. At 14 years old she was beheaded by her father, a minor king, for her refusal to marry him and become his queen. She presents the Gospel of the Lord, her declaration of faith, and her shield. READ MORE.

Contemplative Images for Holy Week

View a video of these Stations of the Cross, accompanied by sacred music

View video The Passion of our Lord

Ver video La Pasión de nuestro Señor

 

Read in Spanish

 The reason for the use of Sacred Art in the Church is to make visible what is invisible, to bring us to a more heightened state of awareness and connection with God and His Saints that we might share more fully in His Glory and Love for us, that we might go forth and DO HIS WILL.

Sacred Places of Jesus’ Life, Death and Resurrection have always been venerated – early pilgrims retraced the Way of the Cross. So it was that the pilgrims brought back from The Holy Land the idea of recreating those sacred places and events to share with the faithful of their home churches.

It is said that Saint Francis of Assisi began the practice of the Stations of the Cross. It then spread throughout Italy and Europe. It was his practice to reproduce in a realistic way the events of our Lord’s life and deeds (an example, is his reported installation of the stable and manger with live animals and people in commemoration of the birth of Jesus).

In a similar way I conceived these Stations of the Cross to bring immediacy to the Passion of our Lord.

Each one measures 4-ft x 8-ft. This is because of the cavernous size and interior simplicity of the nave of the church, Santa Rosa de Lima, in the town of Guaynabo, Puerto Rico.  Intimacy was achieved by the use of local people as models and customs, so that the faithful might better identify with the trials that Our Lord and Savior suffered and died for because of His Love for us.

Buy giclee prints of these Stations

 

Jesus is condemned to death. ViaCrucis Station 1 painting by AVonnHartung

Here we see Jesus, centered, surrounded by many but COMPLETELY alone, only those admitted from the status quo on both sides (although we see Flavia, wife of Pilate and perhaps Nicodemus who represent a small group of inside sympathizers).

In the midst of a crowded room He is a lonely figure. All signs point to Him, the columns, the center aisle and all who gesture, single Him out in accusation. He is The One! The cause of all their troubles, indignation and hatred! He must DIE!

 

Continue reading

Stations of the Cross

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.

[Spanish translation follows]

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 begin to melt away his own cruelty and indifference.

Buy giclee prints of these Stations

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 also are 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 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

 

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