Palm Sunday Art

The Entry into Jerusalem

www.catholictradition.org/Passion/passion-gallery.htm 

Blessed Is the King Who Come

Attributed to the Master of Moulins, this painting is a veiled celebration of the annexation of Brittany to the kingdom of France. The death of King Louis XI was followed by a period of regency, for the heir Charles VIII was but a boy. Taking advantage of this interreg­num, a coalition of princes in alliance with the duke of Brittany rose in rebellion. The ensuing conflict, known as the "Mad War", came to an end with the defeat of the rebels in 1488 at the battle of Saint-Aubin-de­Cormier, the stronghold of the dukes of Brittany. Its fortress serves here to represent the city of jerusalem. In the foreground, King Charles VIII and his wife Anne of Brittany are portrayed as they were at the time of these events, aged thirteen and eleven.

Christ's triumphal entry into jerusalem is depicted at the centre, with the raising of Lazarus in the back­ground. Seated majestically upon a nobly drawn donkey, jesus is clothed in a long violet robe, symbol of the baptism he is about to undergo: his passion and death. Behind him, a cortege of disciples is led by Peter, followed by John and james, the only apostles present at the resurrection of Lazarus. The people wave olive branches in apparent jubilation. Upon closer scrutiny, however, one detects the latent violence that will break out the next day in cries of "Crucify him!" Focused on the royal person of jesus, Son of David, Prince of Peace, this painting reminds us that we have no other King and Lord but Christ. Beyond every legitimate national loyalty, all that will count in the end is our ultimate alle­giance to the heavenly kingdom .

• Pierre-Marie Dumont
MAGNIFICAT Missalette
Holy Week 2011