Doubting Thomas

Title: Doubting Thomas
Artist: Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn
Medium: Oil on panel
Size: 53 × 51 cm
Date: 1634
Location: Pushkin Museum, Moscow.

John 20:24-31 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Rembrandt depicts the well-known scene somewhat theatrical. By showing his wounds, Jesus takes away Thomas's incredulity. Contrary to most other depictions, Thomas does not stick his hand into the wound. His doubts vanish when he sees the wound, just as John describes it in his gospel. John himself is depicted on the right. He appears to be sleeping, but that should be regarded as having deep inner thoughts.

Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn (July 1606 – October 1669) was a Dutch painter and etcher. He is generally considered one of the greatest painters and printmakers in European art history. Born in Leiden into a middle class family, Rembrandt becomes a pupil of the painter Jacob van Swanenburgh. In 1624, he studies in Amsterdam in the studio of Pieter Lastman, who will greatly influence his artistic development. Some say it is Lastman who illustrates to Rembrandt Caravaggio's use of chiaroscuro – the application of light and darkness to suggest depth.

Doubting Thomas

Title: Doubting Thomas
Artist: Guercino
Medium: Oil on canvas
Size: 80 x 108 cm
Date: c. 1621
Location: Residenzgalerie Salzburg.

As portrayed in John 20:24-28, Jesus had appeared to many of his disciples after his resurrection, but Thomas was not among them. He professed: “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe." Sure enough, eight days later, Jesus again appeared to his disciples and invited Thomas to "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe."

This painting allows us the opportunity to envision the Savior's conversation with Thomas. It makes it possible for us to focus our minds on the event and more fully internalize the Savior's admonition: "Thomas, because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." (John 20:29) One of the aims of the masters of Baroque painting was to create a greater sense on intimacy, especially when dealing with a scared event. And indeed Guercino has done so, virtually under spotlight, and ensures there is no doubt as to the physical presence of Jesus Christ, wounds and all. The intimacy is there for the viewer as well as for Thomas.

Giovanni Francesco Barbieri (February 8, 1591 — December 9, 1666), also known as Guercino, was an Italian Baroque painter from the region of Emilia. Il Guercino (Italian for "the squinter") was a nickname that was given to him because he was cross-eyed. He was self-taught but developed precociously, and managed to become one of the major artists of his day. He is especially noted for his many superb drawings.