The Golden Gospel of Duccio

Follow the Retreat below
Introductory video:

Retreat Begins

  • Welcome and Introduction

    Welcome to this online retreat.


    Duccio's glorious masterpiece, the Maestà, represents the supreme achievement of Sienese art. Its panels tell the story of the Christ's life on earth, its centrepiece a work of beauty for the devotion of the people. 


    After two introductory videos looking at Duccio's life and the Maestà we will follow the life of Christ through his Infancy, Passion, Death and Resurrection. The final video will look at the Maestà in all its glory.


    I hope you find it helpful,

    Fr Brendan


  • Opening Prayer

    Out of his infinite glory 

    may he give you the power through his Spirit 

    for your hidden self to grow strong 

    so that Christ may live in your hearts, 

    and then planted in love and built on love, 

    you will with all the saints have strength to grasp the breadth and the length, 

    the height and the depth, 

    until knowing the love of Christ, 

    which is beyond all knowledge, 

    you are filled with the utter fullness of God.  


    Glory be to him whose power, working in us, 

    can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine;

    glory be to him from generation to generation

    in the church and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever.  Amen.


    Ephesians 3:16-21


Talk 1: Between Two Worlds

What's so special about Duccio?

  • Some Questions to Ponder

    Here are some questions you might like to think about as you look at Duccio's art in relation to our own spiritual growth.

    • In our modern age when we have seen so much change, how do we, like Duccio, hold on to the best of the past and the values we cherish while being open to fresh insights and expression?
    • Duccio and Giotto began a quest for the real, to try to portray the truth of things in art. Can that inspire us to do the same in life?
    • Duccio suffered from Florentine prejudices, but we all have them. Cimabue, Duccio and Giotto tried to introduced perspective in their art. Do we struggle to put people and things in (a better) perspective?

Talk 2: Siena, Civitas Virginis

The background to the Maestà.

Talk 3: Infancy

The story begins, and we take a closer look at his Annunciation.

Talk 4: Public Ministry

The Gospel of Glory

Talk 5: Passion and Death

The Drama of Holy Week

Talk 6: Resurrection

Appearances of the Risen Lord

Talk 7: Celebration in the Streets

"The most beautiful painting ever seen and ever made"

The Last Days of the Virgin

The final paintings of the Maestà. Click to enlarge.

The final paintings of Duccio for the Maestà are not Gospel scenes, but are stories of the early Christian tradition. Such exquisite paintings round off our view of this work, for a Cathedral dedicated to the Assumption.

Queen of heaven, pray for Siena, pray for Duccio and pray for us all!


Thank you for participating in this day.

Cost

There is no charge for this day. It is to help in these difficult times.

If if you leave a donation you will help us sustain the monastery and our outreach.

As monks we have to earn a living. It all helps.  

Donate Here
Register for more information

Those who register will receive more detailed instructions on how to connect with Zoom and the format of the day.



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