Gospel in Art: Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord

Jesus ascending to Heaven, John Singleton Copley © Museum of Fine Arts Boston

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 29 May 2025
Luke 24:46-53

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, 'Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.'

And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the Temple blessing God.

Reflection on the painting

Today marks the fortieth day after the Resurrection. Now, having completed His earthly mission, He prepares to return to the Father. Before ascending, He entrusts His disciples with the task of proclaiming the Gospel to all nations, and assures them that they will not be left alone. He will send them a helper, the Holy Spirit. Then, in a moment both awe-inspiring and mysterious, He is lifted from their sight, leaving them in stunned silence. As the apostles stand gazing upwards, trying to grasp what they have just witnessed, two heavenly messengers appear and gently break their trance. "Men of Galilee," they say, "why are you standing here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will return in the same way you saw Him go." (cf. Acts 1:6-14). Their words both reassure and challenge the apostles-to move forward with the mission they've been given, trusting in Christ's return.

The Ascension has long inspired Christian artists from the 5th century onwards. These works often depict the event in a symbolic dual structure: the earthly realm below and the heavenly realm above. In the divine sphere, Christ is typically shown rising in glory, often surrounded by light or carried by angels. On the ground level, the apostles look upward in wonder, sometimes accompanied by the Virgin Mary, who stands serenely at the centre. Angels are frequently present, bridging the two realms and directing the gaze heavenward, inviting the viewer to reflect on the mystery of Christ's glorification and the promise of His return.

Our painting, created in 1775 by John Singleton Copley (1738-1815), is a striking example of the traditional dual composition often used in depictions of the Ascension. Copley, an American painter known for his meticulous portraits and historical scenes, brings both drama and reverence to this biblical event. At the top of the canvas, Christ is shown suspended mid-air, His posture serene and majestic, evoking both weightlessness and divinity. He is surrounded by a burst of radiant, heavenly light that pours in from above, the divine realm into which He ascends. Below, the apostles are gathered in various attitudes of awe, praise, and wonder. Some are standing with arms lifted, others kneeling or shielding their eyes, all captivated by the mystery unfolding before them. Their poses reflect a mix of worship and human astonishment, grounding the divine event in human emotion. On the right side of the composition stand two angels, notable for their role not in carrying Jesus upwards, but in ministering to the apostles. Their presence connects the earthly and heavenly realms, echoing the account in Acts 1, where two men in white garments assure the disciples that Jesus will return as they saw Him go.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/luke-24-46-53-2025/ (with audio)