Edinburgh: lecture on Pope's favourite painter
An illustrated lecture on one of Pope Francis' favourite artists will take place in Edinburgh on 11 November. Fr Geoffrey Wheaton SJ will talk about Caravaggio, whom Pope Francis singled out as a painter he admired: 'his paintings speak to me,' he said in an interview published on Thinking Faith. Fr Wheaton describes Caravaggio as a 'passionate and powerful painter'.
Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1571 - 1610) is renowned for the intense realism and naturalism of his paintings, which were often of biblical or mythological incidents. With his dramatic use of lighting and his realistic observation of the human state, he is considered to have had a significant influence on the formation of the Baroque school of painting.
Before entering the Jesuits, Fr Wheaton trained as an economist and taught economics in schools. He served for four years as a head teacher and, as a Jesuit, he taught economics for ten years. He then went on to become RC chaplain to Imperial College, London. He now lives in Glasgow and gives courses in art and theology.
Edinburgh: Caravaggio - Pope Francis' favourite painter, lecture by Fr Geoffrey Wheaton SJ, on Monday 11 November at 7.30pm at the Lauriston Jesuit Centre, 28 Lauriston Street, Edinburgh EH3 9DJ
All are welcome; admission is by donation.