Rembrandt exhibition in Chicago shows Dutch master's spiritual side

Published: 2004-02-17

CHICAGO (CNS) -- Of the thousands expected to see the Art Institute of Chicago's new Rembrandt exhibition, some will go to appreciate the beauty of the works and some will want to view them so they have something to talk about over coffee or cocktails, said Father Richard Fragomeni. But some will visit the exhibit and see God, added the priest, who is vice rector of the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii and associate professor of liturgy and preaching at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. "Seeing is always a very subjective thing," Father Fragomeni said. "Some people see, and some people don't see. But when you see, something happens spiritually." Suzanne Folds McCullagh, the exhibit's curator, said there can be little doubt that Rembrandt was thinking spiritually when he created the more than 200 drawings, paintings and etchings that make up the exhibit. A large portion of his work -- maybe up to a third -- has biblical or other spiritual themes, she said.

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