While on earth, Jesus promised his followers a paraclete - an advocate and helper. "I will not leave you orphans," He promised.
This painting was created by Juan Bautista Maíno between 1615 & 1620. It's an oil on canvas work that measures 10 ft x 8 ft.
Maíno (1581–1649) was a prolific Spanish painter of Catholic and religious subjects. "From 1600 to 1608, he lived in Italy. He was said to be a pupil of El Greco, though others claim he trained in or followed the styles of Carracci and Guido Reni, and his painting style was quite different over time in Spain.
In March 1611 he moved to Toledo, and in 1612 he painted the altarpiece of the Cuatro Pascuas for the main altar of the church of San Pedro Mártir, now in the Museo del Prado. His Adoration of the Shepherds is there as well."
This painting shown here, "Pentecostés," is in the Museo del Prado collection, too.
Over the centuries, many masters have painted this scene in that upper room of a house in Jerusalem where "all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers."
Mary, the mother of Jesus, is not the main focus of this work, but she is central to this painting. That is frequently the scene depicted by other painters, too; Mary is central, plus the young woman depicted off to her side is forefront of the men. This is important. Women were not wall flowers, or dismissed. They are key to prayer as well; "all continued with one accord in prayer." In an ancient world which chattled or indentured women as 2nd class citizens, Christianity was unique in elevating them to the forefront of ministries and churches. Jesus himself spearheaded that effort.
Acts 2:1-21
"When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.” So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?”
Others mocking said, “They are full of new wine.”
But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God,
That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh;
Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
Your young men shall see visions,
Your old men shall dream dreams.
And on My menservants and on My maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days;
And they shall prophesy.
I will show wonders in heaven above
And signs in the earth beneath:
Blood and fire and vapor of smoke.
The sun shall be turned into darkness,
And the moon into blood,
Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord.
And it shall come to pass
That whoever calls on the name of the Lord
Shall be saved.’"
This artwork is in the public domain.
