If you think about the Bible and wisdom, you’ll likely think of wisdom literature in the Old Testament and the teachings of Jesus. But in art, things get a little more abstract. Wisdom can be personified, but art itself can also be a source of wisdom. 

Join Michelle and Joost as they explore the topic of Wisdom & Discernment in this episode of Bible & Art Reframed. Journey with them through five different scriptural passages and artworks, framing narratives around ancestral wisdom, personification, and life and death. 

The artworks and insights in this episode can be explored in more detail on the Visual Commentary on Scripture: the internet’s premier place for Bible and Art. It houses over 1000 artworks and insightful commentary from experts around the World.    
 
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Links to Artworks 

1. Doreen Reid Nakamarra, Marrapinti, 2008, Acrylic on canvas, 122 x 153 cm, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; Gift of Robert Kaplan and Margaret Levi, 2017, 2017.251.2, © Estate of Doreen Reid Nakamarra, licensed by Aboriginal Artists Agency Ltd; Photography: Spike Mafford  
2. Unknown German artist, A Scholar (King Solomon ?), from the Coburg Pentateuch, c.1390–96, Illuminated manuscript, 180/175 x 135 mm, The British Library, London; Add MS 19776, fol. 54v, © The British Library Board (Add MS 19776, fol. 54v)  
3. Leandro Bassano, Portrait of a Widow at her Devotions, First quarter of 17th century, Oil on canvas, 105 x 89 cm, Private Collection; ART Collection / Alamy Stock Photo  
4. Duccio, Christ Taking Leave of His Disciples, from the Maestà, 1308–11, Tempera and gold on panel, 50 x 53 cm, Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, Siena; De Agostini Picture Library / G. Nimatallah / Bridgeman Images  
5. Unknown artist, Sophia, Wisdom of God, c.1625, Tempera and gold on panel, 61 x 65 cm, The Museum of Russian Icons, Clinton, MA; Icon Museum and Study Center, Clinton, Massachusetts USA  

Explore additional artworks on this theme in our Curated Commentaries on Wisdom and Discernment. 

Hosts: Dr Michelle Fletcher and Dr Joost Joustra  

Producer: Megan Jones 

Theme: Tim Bentley 

Instagram: @the_VCS 

TikTok: @thevcs.org 

YouTube: VisualCommentaryonScripture 

There are over 300 mentions of gold in the Bible: it’s a symbol of holiness and purity, and has historical associations with power and greed. It’s also a rich source for artists to interpret and use in their work—just don’t tell Leon Battista Alberti. 

In this episode of Bible & Art Reframed, Joost and Michelle explore the topic of Gold through a tiny coin from the Persian Empire, a medieval manuscript (Joost’s favourite) featuring a golden calf, and a hauntingly beautiful crown from Peru. Join as they reflect on gold in the Bible, art, and its role in colonial history. 

The artworks and insights in this episode can be explored in more detail on the Visual Commentary on Scripture: the internet’s premier place for Bible and Art. It houses over 1000 artworks and insightful commentary from experts around the World. 

Support Bible & Art Reframed by subscribing, sharing with a friend, and leaving us a review! 

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Links to Artworks 

1. Unknown artist, Ancient Greek Coin, Gold Persian Daric, Great King kneeling with bow, c.450 BCE, Gold; Hoberman / UIG / Bridgeman Images  
2. William de Brailes, The Israelites Worship the Golden Calf, from Bible pictures by William de Brailes, c.1250, Illumination on parchment, The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore; MS Bible Pictures, shelf mark W.106, fol. 13r, The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore  
3. Unknown artist, Apse mosaic of the Transfiguration, 565–66, Mosaic, Saint Catherine's Monastery, Sinai; LatitudeStock / Alamy Stock Photo  
4. Marcos del Carpio [attrib.], Crown of Thorns, c.1760, Gold, repoussé, cast, and chased with emeralds, a topaz and other precious stones, 8.7 x 25.9 cm, Cabildo Metropolitano de Arequipa, Peru; Photo: Daniel Giannoni, Courtesy of Cabildo Metropolitano de Arequipa, Peru  
5. Olga de Amaral, Alchemy 50 (Alquimia 50), 1987, Canvas, gesso, gold leaf, and acrylic paint, 165 x 150 cm, Tate; Presented by the artist 2016, T14879, © Olga de Amaral; Photo: © Tate, London / Art Resource, NY  

Explore additional artworks on this theme in our Curated Commentaries on Gold. 

Hosts: Dr Michelle Fletcher and Dr Joost Joustra  

Producer: Megan Jones 

Theme: Tim Bentley 

Instagram: @the_VCS 

TikTok: @thevcs.org 

YouTube: VisualCommentaryonScripture 

How better to open the door to our first episode of Bible & Art Reframed, than with the topic of Doorways & Thresholds? 

Join Michelle and Joost as they journey through five very different artworks—and their paired scriptural passages—that relate to Doorways & Thresholds. They discuss how artists have framed narratives around critical moments in life, precarity, and the constant struggle of making good decisions. 

The artworks and insights in this episode can be explored in more detail on the Visual Commentary on Scripture: the internet’s premier place for Bible and Art. It houses over 1000 artworks and insightful commentary from experts around the World.  

Support Bible & Art Reframed by subscribing, sharing with a friend, and leaving us a review! 

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Links to Artworks 

1. John Everett Millais, Esther, 1863–65, Oil on canvas, 77.4 x 106 cm, Private Collection  
2. Ludolf Backhuysen I, Ships in Distress off a Rocky Coast, 1667, Oil on canvas, 114.3 x 167.3 cm, The National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC; Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund, 1985.29.1, courtesy of the National Gallery of Art, Washington 
3. Hélio Oiticica, Penetrável PN1 (installed at Centro de Arte Hélio Oiticica, Rio de Janeiro, 2008), 1960, Oil on wood, 203 x 150 x 150 cm, Centro Municipal de Arte Hélio Oiticica, Rio de Janeiro  
4. Unknown artist, England, The Twenty-Four Elders Pay Homage to the Throne of God, c.1255–60, Tempera, gold leaf, coloured washes, pen and ink on parchment, 31.9 x 22.5 cm, The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles; Ms. Ludwig III 1 (83.MC.72), fol. 4v, Digital image courtesy of the Getty's Open Content Program  
5. Gislebertus, Last Judgement, 1130–45, Stone, West tympanum, Cathedral of Saint-Lazare, Autun, France  

Explore additional artworks on this theme in our Curated Commentaries on Doorways and Thresholds. 

Hosts: Dr Michelle Fletcher and Dr Joost Joustra  

Producer: Megan Jones 

Theme: Tim Bentley 

Instagram: @the_VCS 

TikTok: @thevcs.org 

YouTube: VisualCommentaryonScripture 

Bible & Art Reframed is a new podcast connecting the world of scripture with the history of art. 

Each episode, biblical scholar Dr Michelle Fletcher and art historian Dr Joost Joustra take a topic—gold, doorways, wisdom—and use it to journey through pairings of artworks and scriptural passages. Expect new takes, and expert reflections along the way.  

If you're interested in Bible & art, and fresh connections between the two—subscribe to Bible & Art Reframed wherever you get your podcasts, or through the link in our bio. 

Stay tuned for the first episode, coming very soon.

Hosts: Dr Michelle Fletcher and Dr Joost Joustra  

Producer: Megan Jones 

Theme: Tim Bentley 

Instagram: @the_VCS 

TikTok: @thevcs.org 

YouTube: VisualCommentaryonScripture