A Prophet in the Darkness

Many consider Georges Rouault (1871-1958) to be one of the most important religious painters of the last few centuries. Yet both the secular art world and the church have struggled to engage with his work, which is profoundly shaped by his Christian faith and also starkly explores the pain and darkness of human experience.In this volume, a group of theologians, artists, and historians seek to bring Rouault out of the shadows. They offer a deeper understanding of the theological impulse of modern art and of Rouault's distinct contributions. Chapters explore how Rouault's unique work was influenced by his historical context, by personal suffering, and by biblical themes, especially the Passion of Christ. Essays are interspersed with original artistic responses to Rouault in the form of images and poetry, with contributions from Sandra Bowden, William A. Dyrness, Thomas Hibbs, Soo Kang, and others.Rouault displays our need for mercy within a world of anguish. This book explores how his prophetic creativity continues to inspire artists and thinkers seeking to understand the powerful intersection of lament and hope.The Studies in Theology and the Arts- series encourages Christians to thoughtfully engage with the relationship between their faith and artistic expression, with contributions from both theologians and artists on a range of artistic media including visual art, music, poetry, literature, film, and more.

Wesley Vander Lugt (PhD, University of St Andrews) is adjunct professor of theology and acting director of the Leighton Ford Initiative for Theology, the Arts, and Gospel Witness at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Charlotte. His publications include Living Theodrama: Reimagining Theological Ethics and Beauty Is Oxygen: Finding a Faith That Breathes.

Foreword: A Prophet in the Darkness-Sandra Bowden Preface: Encountering Rouault-Wesley Vander Lugt Acknowledgments 1. Georges Rouault: A Personal Introduction-Philippe Rouault Artistic Interlude 1: "Unrefined Impressions"-Dave Reinhardt 2. Learning to See, Feel, and Say: Rouault's Art as Propaedeutic to Theology-Thomas Hibbs Artistic Interlude 2: How can we fix our eyes on what is unseen?-Christina Felten 3. Blessed Are the Poor: A Theology of Poverty in the Art of Rouault-Soo Y. Kang Artistic Interlude 3: Saint Isidore-Bryn Gillette 4. The Healing Poetics of Georges Rouault: Veils of Veronica-Joel Klepac Artistic Interlude 4: To Carry Across-Josh Jenson 5. Art in Community: Rouault, Walter Brueggemann, and Postindustrial Imagination-Pamela Rossi-Keen Artistic Interlude 5: Beloved-Helms Jarrell 6. Romare Bearden, Georges Rouault, and the Art of Empathy-James Romaine Artistic Interlude 6: "Paint the Mind"-Derrell Young 7. Georges Rouault and the Irony of Religious Responses to Modern Art-William A. Dyrness Artistic Interlude 7: Alphabet Soup-Ryan Lauterio 8. "The Stark Elation of Seeing the Thing as It Is": Georges Rouault's Miserere at One Hundred (1922-2022)-Stephen Schloesser Artistic Interlude 8: Crown-Melanie Spinks 9. Resonating with Rouault-Wesley Vander Lugt Artistic Conclusion: "After Rouault's Appearance on the Road to Emmaus" and "After Rouault's Christ and the Woman Saint"-Leslie Anne Bustard Bibliography List of Contributors Image Credits Color Plates General Index