The Wedding Feast at Cana painted by Pablo Veronese in 1563. One of the most famous paintings in the world. The painting hangs across from the Mona Lisa in the Louvre. The huge painting spans over 750 sq. ft. or 35' x 20' covering an entire wall of the museum. The painting was surely inspired by Leonardo Da Vinci's Last Supper painted in Milan around 1495.
The painting was first commissioned by monks in Venice for a new rectory. The painting depicts a wedding feast that Jesus attended with his family and the apostles. The bride and groom were concerned since they had run out of wine. They asked if there was anything Jesus could do, and Jesus was hesitant but after some cajoling agreed. He then proceeds to turn the water into wine, and not only wine but excellent wine. The turning of water into wine was Jesus' first miracle, and really an announcement that he was here for a special purpose and not just a mere mortal.
An interesting backstory about the painting. In 1815, Austria controlled Italy and Napolean and his armies stole the painting by cutting it out of the frame rolling it up and removing it from the country. When Austria asked for the return of the painting France explained that the painting was too large and would not fit through the doorway. With that lame excuse the painting still resides in France today. The Inquisition also questioned whether the painting was heresy since it included dogs and German thugs with Jesus. The artist Veronese explained that it was just artistic expression.
The painting captures the wedding celebration with Jesus and a little splash of 16th century Venice, while commemorating the immortal Jesus turning stone jars of water into a fine wine to ensure the success of the wedding feast.
The Wedding at Cana was the first of Jesus' miracles that continue to this very day.
With Love,
Coach K
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